At JCS Carpentry and Building Ltd, our groundwork contractors manage a wide range of services to improve properties in Waterlooville, Havant and the surrounding areas we cover. A service we commonly provide for those dealing with subsidence is piling. As a specialist service, customers often have questions about it. You can read more about the improvements we make on our home renovation blog.
Here, our experts have answered a few of the frequently asked questions about piling, including:
When the foundations of homes weaken over time, they can shift, sink and cause subsidence. Some subsidence can be resolved by repairing drains and removing tree roots, but with weak soil, the foundations will need to be underpinned. Piling is typically the most effective underpinning method, especially for cases where the site would otherwise require deep excavation.
For the most common types of piling, concrete piles are driven down to a more stable level, allowing the structure’s weight to be spread evenly across them.
Piling isn’t only used to underpin existing foundations, it can also be used for various new constructions. From building domestic and commercial structures on weak soil to supporting larger builds, such as bridges, piling has many applications.
The groundwork contractors at JCS Carpentry and Building Ltd recommend piling for those with properties in and around Waterlooville and Havant that have been built on weak soil. Weak soil leads to subsidence, which then causes the walls to crack, and in the most severe cases, entire properties can collapse.
Our quality piling service is a quicker and less disruptive way to underpin properties, secure the foundations and redistribute the weight of buildings. Depending on the state of the site, an additional layer of foundations may not be enough, whereas piles are anchored in a stronger layer of earth and make buildings much safer.
Piling is also considered more environmentally friendly than other solutions because they use less concrete and create less soil.
There are multiple ways to complete piling work, with the best approach depending on the situation. The most common choice is between boring and driving the piles.
Driving is typically the most suitable option for properties with soft or granular soils. This method often involves forcing the piles into the ground using specialist machinery. Piles can also be driven into the ground by transferring the energy directly to the pile toe, which works best in confined spaces that may not have room for larger machinery.
For boring, holes are drilled into the ground, which are filled with either grout or concrete to create the pile. Boring creates less vibration than driving, which makes it a good option for built-up areas, and requires less headroom, so it is also good for confined spaces.
At JCS Carpentry and Building Ltd, our groundwork contractors are happy to advise you on the services we complete to improve properties in and around Waterlooville and Havant.
