Here at Rhino Piling, our team strive to provide every client with a foundation that is both cost-effective and durable. After all, the longevity of a building relies on the quality of the foundation that it is built upon. With this said, there are a variety of foundational misconceptions plaguing the internet that can cause property owners, particularly residential homeowners, to make avoidable mistakes. Read on as we set the record straight once and for all…
Myth: Old buildings aren’t susceptible to subsidence
There is a belief that houses and buildings that have been standing for decades are no longer vulnerable to subsidence because the soil underneath has ‘settled’ and adapted to its weight. Both new and old buildings can be struck by soil movement at any point during their lifespan which is why it is important to ensure that their foundation is in tip top condition. In fact, older properties are often considered more susceptible because their structure is weaker and therefore easily influenced by the subsidence caused by movement.
Myth: Foundations aren’t affected by soil type
The type of foundational approach that is implemented often depends on the type of soil that surrounds a property which means that property owners should never disregard the area that they live in. For instance, buildings located near the coastline tend to be surrounded by weaker soils like clay and sand which means that they are more likely to be affected by subsidence and require sturdy foundations to be put in place.
Myth: A building foundation will last forever
Although the foundation of a property can last for several lifetimes when it is correctly installed and manages to adequately reinforce its weight, there is a common myth that they will last forever. Unfortunately, the ground is always changing, which means that there is a high chance that an old foundation may need to be repaired or replaced at some point. Plus, poorly installed foundations can affect their longevity considerably too.
A foundation should transfer the weight of a building to the stronger soil located deep within the earth in order to prevent subsidence from occurring. For all your foundational needs, get in contact with the best piling Manchester has to offer and speak to a member of the Rhino Piling team today!
