There is no denying the beauty of a home on the coast, however these properties are often more susceptible to foundational issues if they aren’t given the best start or neglected from the get-go. After all, cliff edges undergo costal erosion a lot faster than many people presume and a lack of foundation can allow subsidence to set in much faster than it would in a regular building location. Read on as we go over everything there is to know about installing a foundation for a coastal property…
Design Criteria
When it comes to coastal areas, it is important that a foundation is constructed from high-quality, flood-resistant materials that are able to withstand the impact of the coast. In addition to this, the foundation must be able to elevate the property above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE), prevent lateral movement and prevent flotation or collapse in the event of high-waters.
Piling Foundations
The most extreme and at-risk coastal areas are subject to quite significant erosion and flooding which means that shallow foundations are completely out of the question because they are too susceptible to movement and damage from the elements. In fact, experts generally agree that piling is the only way to successfully perform all of the functions listed above, and they can last a lifetime when carried out correctly by a qualified team.
Piles are typically constructed from steel or concrete using pile driving machinery in order to transfer the weight of a property to the more stable soil deep within the earth. This provides stability and ensures each pile bears an even amount of weight, preventing subsidence and/or damage as coastal erosion progresses overtime and makes the soil closer to the surface weaker and vulnerable.
Here at Rhino Piling; we specialise in the installation and maintenance of deep foundational solutions that reinforce the weight of a structure to the stronger soil found deep within the earth in order to prevent subsidence from causing issues later on down the line. In certain circumstances, these approaches could also be applied to coastal areas too. For all your foundational expertise, get in contact with the best piling Manchester has to offer and speak to a member of the team today!
