Foundation Underpinning
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When an Existing Foundation Needs More Support
When a foundation has settled or the soil beneath it can no longer provide the support the structure needs, simply repairing the visible damage may not be enough. Foundation underpinning is a way of strengthening an existing foundation by extending or improving the support beneath it.
Innovation Foundation Repair, LLC, provides foundation underpinning services for residential and commercial properties in the St. Paul area. The right underpinning method depends on the foundation, the condition of the property, and what is happening in the soil beneath it.
If you're seeing signs of settlement or other foundation problems, call 651-382-4782 to schedule a consultation.
Understanding Foundation Underpinning
Foundation underpinning is used when an existing foundation needs additional support. This can become necessary when soil beneath the foundation has shifted, the original foundation is no longer adequate for the structure, or changes to the property have placed additional demands on the foundation.
The goal is to transfer the weight of the structure to more stable support and help prevent continued movement. Depending on the property and the problem being addressed, several underpinning methods may be considered.
Different Ways to Strengthen an Existing Foundation
Traditional Underpinning: This approach involves extending the existing foundation deeper into the ground by working beneath the foundation and adding new support.
Helical Piers: Helical piers are installed into the soil beneath the foundation and transfer the weight of the structure to more stable soil. They can be used to provide additional support where the existing foundation has settled or needs reinforcement.
Push Piers: Push piers use steel piers driven into the ground beneath the foundation to reach stable supporting soil. Depending on the condition of the foundation, they may also be used to help stabilize and lift settled areas.
Slab Jacking: In appropriate situations, material can be injected beneath a settled concrete slab to raise and level the affected area.
The appropriate method isn't something that should be decided from a list alone. The condition of the foundation, the soil, the amount of movement, and the structure itself all need to be considered.
Why Might a Foundation Need Underpinning?
Underpinning may be considered when an existing foundation is no longer receiving the support it needs. Some common situations include:
Foundation Settlement: Soil movement, poor drainage, changes in moisture, or other conditions can cause parts of a foundation to settle unevenly.
Structural Damage: Significant cracks, bowing walls, uneven areas, or other changes may indicate that the foundation needs additional support.
Building Modifications: Adding another story, expanding a structure, or making other substantial changes can increase the load placed on an existing foundation. In some cases, additional foundation support may be needed to accommodate those changes.
Not every foundation problem requires underpinning. An inspection is important because the appropriate repair depends on what is actually happening beneath and around the foundation.
Why Foundation Underpinning Should Be Done by Professionals
Foundation underpinning involves working with the structure of an existing building. It isn't the type of project where an incorrect approach can simply be undone without consequences.
The work requires an understanding of foundations, soil conditions, structural loads, and the appropriate underpinning method. Specialized equipment may also be required depending on the system being installed.
At Innovation Foundation Repair, LLC, we have the experience and equipment needed to evaluate foundation problems and carry out the appropriate underpinning work. We take the condition of the property seriously and plan the work around the specific circumstances of the foundation.
How We Evaluate Your Foundation
Before recommending underpinning, we inspect the property and the existing foundation to determine what is happening and why.
We look at the extent of any settlement or structural damage, the condition of the foundation, drainage around the property, and other factors that may be affecting the foundation. Where appropriate, soil conditions and the available support beneath the structure also need to be considered.
Once we've evaluated the situation, we'll explain what we found and discuss whether underpinning is appropriate. If it is, we'll recommend an approach suited to the property and the problem being addressed.
Call Innovation Foundation Repair LLC Today!
If you've noticed foundation settlement, significant cracks, uneven areas, or other changes that have you concerned, don't assume that underpinning is automatically the answer—or that the problem will correct itself.
Call 651-382-4782 to schedule a foundation evaluation with Innovation Foundation Repair, LLC. We'll look at the condition of the foundation, explain what we find, and let you know what options may be appropriate for your property.
We're here to help homeowners and property owners in the St. Paul area protect the stability of their foundations.