A building is only as stable as the foundation upon which it has been built, however there are a handful of different factors that experts need to take into consideration in order to give a structure the best start in life. Here at Rhino Piling, our team of specialist contractors work hard to determine the suitability of a location prior to the commencement of a project. Read on as we go over three different types of soil movement that could affect the longevity of a poor-quality foundation…
Vibrations
The way that foundations are installed actually contributes to vibration-related soil movement, however this is largely unavoidable. With this said, the hustle and bustle of everyday living can create small vibrations that may cause sandy, gravel-like soil to move around, affecting the foundations that lie within. As an advisory method, many foundational experts use vibration dampening equipment in order to reduce the external vibrations caused to weaker soils when using pile driving technology.
Water
Some types of soil, such as clay, gravel and sand, expand upon coming into contact with water and then shrink again after the moisture depletes. This can have an adverse effect on a foundation if the soil plays an important role in the stability of a building. After all, the repetitive swelling and shrinking of soil will cause it to move drastically and this can put a shallow foundation at risk. In areas with susceptible soils such as these, it is recommended that property owners invest in deep foundations.
Temperature
Following on from the idea above, it is important to recognise that temperature can also cause water to evaporate and thereby lead to excessive soil shrinkage. This is particularly problematic when it comes to clay which is susceptible to both moisture and temperature changes, so if you live in a hot climate where the soil will be baked under the summer sun, or know that a boiler or furnace lives directly on top of your foundation and soil, it may be wise to invest in deep foundations that reinforce weight and provide stability even when temperature changes occur.
Soil movement can leave property owners in a spot of bother because it can lead to subsidence – the sudden sinking of the grounds surface with little to no horizontal motion. It is essential that you act fast when subsidence strikes as it can be devasting to the stability of a building. Deep foundations like piling reinforce the weight of a structure to the robust soil deep within the earth so that minor soil movement doesn’t have an impact. For all your foundational needs, get in contact with the best piling Manchester has to offer today!
