Who knew that there was so much that you need to know about the foundation of your home? Isn’t it just a slab of concrete and a few different screws under your home or business?
You’d think so, and that would make life a lot easier, but unfortunately, it’s not the case. You’re in luck because today the Litchfield Builders team is partnering with Restumping Melbourne, a team of experts who know everything about the foundation of your home and how important it can be to its structure.
The foundation of your structure can be one of those dodgy things that you don’t want to spend too much time on; conversely, it can be something that stresses you out far more than it should.
So, today's article explains the basics of what you need to know about foundation repair and what you don’t.
When built properly, a foundation does quite a bit more than just keep your home above ground and from sliding around, should inclement weather come calling. Additional benefits include keeping out moisture, insulation during colder months and stability during events like earthquakes or landslides.
There is also a reason why the term “foundation” is used in so many different contexts and industries. It lays the groundwork (pun intended) for whatever comes next - or in this case, on top of it. Your home needs a foundation - and a good one at that. That way, the rest of the home is set up for success, both for durability and longevity.
Ah, our favorite topic. There are so many telltale signs that we ignore, even though we shouldn’t. Here is a list of the top ten to keep an eye on:
There can be several telltale signs that you may need work done on your foundation. If you see any of these in particular, it’s definitely time to consider:
Well, there are a couple of different ways that you can handle this. You can do so through the art of restumping, reblocking or underpinning. Each has slight differences and nuances to the process, but the underlying goal is to secure the foundation deep into the ground through posts or stumps.
The big difference in the processes is the materials that are used – steel, wood, you name it. There are pros and cons to both. If you work with steel, you avoid the potential of holes or cracks, that can easily cause both noise and ultimately breakage. Wood as a material is also more susceptible to rot, bugs and mildew if it’s exposed to water or moisture.
Conversely, wood can be a more cost effective material to use and is popular in particular areas, based on the terrain on which the home is built. Wood also means lower labor costs, as construction experts and restumping experts are frequently better-versed in working with it, given its storied history of being a tried-and-true material.
Without being vague – it’s true, each property is unique. The cost will depend on the size of your home, how many issues you’re seeing with the foundation, the type of terrain your home is built on and the type of weather or environment at the time.
If the work is being completed during a rainstorm, it’s going to take a little bit longer than anticipated. The same is true if the work is being completed during a heat storm because the ground will be devoid of any moisture.
As far as timing, the key here is to be upfront and honest with your contractor about what sort of timeline you have to work with.
The foundation is extremely important to the longevity of your home. Be sure you
If you are interested in learning more about home foundations, check out Restumping Melbourne's website for more information.
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