Underpinning foundations can tackle expansive soils
Underpinning foundations is a good way to create stability in soils that are not stable enough to support structures on their own.
Expansive soils are a particular cause for concern – these are where changes in moisture content can make the ground expand or contract by quite a large amount.
Following a fairly dry 2011, soils in many areas are likely to be much drier than they would ordinarily be, making some construction projects unpredictable.
In England, for example, Met Office estimates for the whole of 2011 are that rainfall was just 84% of its normal level.
Even in December, England’s rainfall was down, at 99% of its expected average for the month.
With this in mind, builders could find dry soils are unable to support foundations as well as they ordinarily would do – and some already-completed buildings may well develop foundation problems, too.
By underpinning foundations to help improve their stability, construction projects can be kept on track, and completed structures safeguarded.
With the Met Office forecasting a warmer-than-average year for 2012 as well, the need to underpin foundations could arise more often in the future, as soils dry out and offer less support than they have done in years gone by.