Foundations are one of the most important elements of any building project! The strength of a building lies in its foundation. The primary purpose of the foundation is to hold the structure above it and keep it upright! There are several different types of foundations that we offer.
Foundations services we offer:
Mini-piling
This allows for the expansion or extension of a building, while also safeguarding against ground heave and subsidence. The success of mini piling does not depend on ideal ground conditions. Even if the ground is poor, i.e. heavy clay or boggy, this specialist process can be used to create a stable, even framework. In areas that have been deemed incompatible with traditional foundations, mini piling can be brought in as a viable solution.
Traditional strip foundation
This process is used when the ground conditions are good. A trench is excavated and then filled with concrete , this concrete supports the walls. The trench depth is variable but in most cases should be at least 1m with a width of 600mm. The concrete should have a minimum depth of 300mm.
Designed raft foundations
A raft foundation is a reinforced concrete slab under the whole of a building or extension, ‘floating’ on the ground. This type of foundation spreads the load of the building over a larger area than other foundations, lowering the pressure on the ground. This is an alternative if you can’t use traditional strip or trench fill foundations. A raft foundation has to have an engineered design and typically includes 150mm compacted sub-base, a damp proof membrane, a reinforced thickened edge and pre-fabricated steel mesh, this is surrounded with timber form work so the concrete can be poured in one.
Ground bearing slabs
A ground bearing slab is a concrete slab poured within foundation blocks which are built on a traditional strip foundation. Concrete is usually poured onto a 150mm compacted sub-base with a damp proof membrane and one layer of pre-fabricated steel mesh. This is a typical application for an extension, a garage or a small new build house.
Beam & block floors
The block and beam system is a reinforced pre-cast concrete beam laid across or between support walls. These beams are infilled with concrete blocks. Once laid, the floor is strong and safe and can be used as a platform to continue your building project, this is also a very quick installation for your building project.
Underpinning
In construction or renovation, underpinning is the process of strengthening the foundation of an existing building or other structure. Underpinning may be necessary for a variety of reasons, the original foundation isn’t strong or stable enough, the usage of the structure has changed, creating a basement within an existing building etc.