We’ll get to the bottom of what Rectify Underpinning is without sounding as if we were launching in space or entering into a secret society. Imagine underpinnings as unsung heroes in construction. This is similar to a trusted friend always watching out for you, making sure that your house never decides to sleep.
What if you have an old home? This old house has charm and character. However, it might be a little off-center. Then, one day, cracks appear on your walls and you find that some doors are refusing to close correctly. This is your house telling you to consider some structural work.
In essence, underpinning your home is giving it a fresh pair of shoes that will help you to keep the house upright. This can be done in many different ways. Each is as unique as the variety of pizza toppings.
In the beginning, we will use the old school method of mass concrete as a foundation. Old school, but still reliable. Imagine digging holes beneath your foundation to fill them in with concrete. Instead of patching denim with fabric patches we use concrete.
Another method is the beam-and-base, which may sound fancy but it’s actually not. Slide new beams beneath to add extra support to wobbly tables.
There’s also resin underpinning for the tech-lovers. The resin is injected into the earth and it expands, solidifies to support the building. The process is similar to filling air into a large balloon so that it will rise. However, the balloon actually supports your home.
The decision to install underpinnings is not one you make over coffee. It comes about when something seems off or you’re planning an expansion that will require stronger foundations.
Testing soil is the first step in this process. After that, it’s time for you to decide which kind of underpinning is going to save the house (or save the day).
Why even bother? The home is much more that just walls and a roof; it’s a place where memories are created. In addition, Pisa’s leaning Tower is not the one that people want to move into.
In Underpinning we keep the stories alive, while also ensuring that tomorrow will be safe. This book shows how adapting our space to make it work for us can help us build resilience.
If you ever see an underpinning sign, be sure to tip your head (or nod, if not wearing one), and salute the silent watchmen who keep our buildings upright. Every stable has its own story, a battle against the forces of nature.
The bottom line: underpinning may not look glamorous but it is crucial to keeping our structures strong, no matter what Mother Nature can throw at them. It’s not about gold. Instead, they are ensuring that our home’s treasures will last for many more years.
You can dig deeper than you ever thought possible. Houses are more than just bricks and mortar; they’re stories in physical form.