Although there are lots of complicated things about underpinning, the basic concept is pretty simple — it’s the process of strengthening and supporting a foundation. With proper design and installation, underpinning can be used to lift structures to an acceptable elevation and provides vertical support to prevent the area from additional settling.
Here are some examples of why you might need to consider underpinning:
- The original foundation is not strong enough or stable enough.
- The usage of the building/structure has changed.
- The characteristics of the soil supporting the foundation may have changed (or were misjudged during the design phase)
- The construction of new structures nearby requires the excavation of soil currently supporting existing foundations.
- It’s more economical, due to land price or otherwise, to work on the present structure’s foundation than building a new structure.
But even the best design and installation is generally not a “fix-all” — there are certain limitations to be considered, such as:
- Movement outside the underpinned area – If only one area of foundation is underpinned, only that specific area will be prevented from moving downward. Understand the risk factors of only performing partial underpinning of a foundation.
- Upheaval – Movement caused by increased moisture due to plumbing leaks, negative drainage, acts of man/nature. Left unattended, these moisture sources often lead to upward foundation movement, foundation distortion, and additional cracking.
- Interior floor instability – Distress caused by interior settlement and/or perimeter upheaval.
- Damage from vegetation – Trees, bushes and other plants can draw moisture away from the foundation prompting settlement of unsupported interior or exterior areas.
So what’s the “secret” to Power Lift’s success?
We use a customized approach with superior design and materials. By extending the foundation in depth so the foundation rests on a more stable bearing stratum which distributes its load to a deeper zone, we are able to secure and hold the load on a “Rock Solid” foundation.
Why Power Lift’s Work Is Superior!
Power Lift’s piles are driven deep. Unlike shallow concrete methods-pressed concrete segments, drilled or hand dug piers-Power Lift’s piles penetrate unstable soil and provide deep unmatched permanent support. Also, when it comes to restoring a structure, Power Lift is unmatched due to our synchronized lifting systems. By interlinking all our hydraulic lifting points, we uniformly raise the foundation to the desired elevation without causing additional distress to the structure and generally greatly reversing damage caused from the original settlement.
Feel free to reach out and call us at (800) 441-5438 if you want to know more about our services — we’re always happy to talk!
