Underpinning is a word that most homeowners hate to use. After all, it can imply a big price tag, stress and other headaches along the way. But the truth is, if you choose the right underpinning expert, it doesn’t have to be a long, stressful or financially draining process. The only way to truly tell whether underpinning is needed for your home is to get an assessment by a foundation repair expert. That being said, there are several signs that your house needs underpinning. Let’s go through these signs and explain who you should talk to if you think your house may need underpinning.

When house footings move
Underpinning is required when your house footings have moved for a reason that is unlikely to reverse. It’s typically required when your foundation was laid on loose or soft soil such as uncontrolled fill, and your house footings weren’t originally installed deep enough. Underpinning can be used to improve the stability of your foundation and can even raise your home back up to a near-normal level.

Signs that your foundation is moving

• Stair-step cracks
  Stair-step cracks can be a sign of foundation movement. Stair-step cracks look like stair steps in your brickwork or concrete wall. They may affect a handful of bricks or, more seriously, a large span of the wall. To tell whether your stair-step cracks indicate that the foundation is moving, locate the closest windowsill to the stair-step cracks and try to open it. If it opens and closes with difficulty, or has trouble staying open without you holding it, then it could possibly be another sign of foundation issues.
• Horizontal and stair-step cracks
  Horizontal and stair-step cracks in your foundation are a sign that underpinning is needed. When both of these types of cracks are prevalent, it could be a sign that the wall is giving way due to hydrostatic pressure – when water builds up under your foundation and applies pressure to the wall. If your home is showing both horizontal and stair-step cracks, call the team at Techniblock immediately.

How is underpinning performed?
When underpinning is needed, it is performed by a foundation repair expert like Techniblock. It involves underpins being installed to around 1.8m – 2m deep, beside the house under the footings extending them to more suitable founding material. They have to go deep enough to hit strong soil in order to support the weight of the house.

So, if you’re worried about needing underpinning, don’t sit around and wait for something to change. Be proactive and call the team at Techniblock to inspect your house and set to work fixing it. Techniblock has solved underpinning problems for hundreds of Melbourne homes and will be sure to fix yours permanently and affordably. Get in touch with the Techniblock team for an inspection and quote today.