Here at Rhino Piling, we understand the importance of a high-quality foundation and work hard in order to provide each and every client with results that will last a lifetime. With this said, there is a lot more to the implementation of a foundation than what meets the eye, and more often than not the intended direction of a project can be swayed by outside influences. Read on as we go over 3 factors that can influence the type of foundation that a property has installed…
Weight
It stands to reason that some buildings are a lot heavier than others and this can affect the type of foundation that is fit for the job. After all, a shallow concrete foundation would not be able to support a skyscraper in the same way that it could support the basement of a residential property. This is an important factor to take into consideration for both new and existing builds because the incorrect foundation could cause a structure to crumble under its own weight.
Soil
Aside from the obvious difference of colour, it can be difficult for the untrained eye to tell different soil types apart. This is a keen skill of those who evaluate construction sites in preparation for a foundation because the soil in a particular area will often determine which foundation is most suitable. For instance, weak soils like clay, sand and gravel can be easily influenced by water so tend to require deeper foundations whereas more robust surface soil may be suited to shallow raft foundations instead.
Slope
Sometimes a property may be constructed on a slope and this makes it a lot harder to install a stable foundation because the soil is already being influenced by mother nature. Typically, foundational experts will opt for stilt footings in these situations in order to reinforce the site and ensure that it doesn’t fall foul to natural soil movement. With this said, there is also the option to ‘cut and fill’ which involves creating a level foundation for the structure to lie on.
A foundation provides stability to a building and ensures that it isn’t susceptible to damage many years down the line. After all, the soil that lies directly beneath the buildings we inhabit today have a lot more power than many people tend to realise! Piling is a foundational solution that reinforces the weight of a structure to the stronger soil found deep within the earth which prevents subsidence and guarantees longevity. For all your piling Manchester needs, get in contact with a member of the Rhino Piling team today!
