Underpinning & Foundation Repair Specialists

Adept are FULLY INSURED house underpinning and foundation repair specialists operating in Sydney and the Central Coast. As foundation repair contractors, we are experts in underpinning foundations that have caused structural damage to buildings.

With 40 years’ experience in the building and construction industry, licensed and fully insured to perform structural foundation repairs, we have built a solid reputation for our hard work and dedication to our customers.

• Concrete underpinning can be used for supporting existing concrete footings /brick footings / slabs for internal and external walls
• NOTE - Brick piers and concrete pads are NOT underpinning piers they only support timber walls and floors
• Continuous underpinning is normally used for sandstone footing or heritage buildings
• Hit and miss underpinning is used for full brick buildings with brick footings or inadequate existing concrete footings
• We also use brick underpinning if and as required
• Be aware all underpinning piers are not of a standard size
• Adept lay new reinforced concrete strip footings for home extensions, walls etc

What is 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 have failed causing the foundations to become unstable or the existing structure has changed, for example; second floor addition or sub floor extension. Concrete is used in the strengthening process.

Why do foundations fail?

The movement of earth beneath foundations is usually caused by settlement or expanding and contracting clay. When dry conditions prevail the earth consistently loses moisture and shrinks. When moisture levels are high the earth soils swells. Read Adept's drainage solutions

What are the causes of subsidence?

One of the main reasons for underpinning foundations is subsidence, which can be caused by a number of different factors: damaged and leaking drains, poor drainage or even no drainage, traffic vibrations, ineffective ground preparation prior to laying the foundations, nearby groundwork or constructions, inadequate foundations, natural compaction of the soil, sinkholes and underground mining. Read Adept's drainage solutions

Why do you need foundation repairs?

Investing in a professional foundation repair is a commitment, but it’s essential to the integrity of the building and resale value. External indications that subsidence is becoming a problem include cracked brickwork, gaps between the brickwork and the window edges, cracked brick piers, gaps in the joins or mitre joints of structural arches, as well as balconies. Internally, you might see cracks in the Gyprock, sloping floors, cracked cornices, jammed doors and windows, cracked floor and walls tiles, and even cracked slabs.

Why do we focus on concrete underpinning?

Over the past 30 or so years, we have found that using concrete gives the best foundation repairs for our customers. This is a time proven method that has been around for more than 100 years and still being used today when building a new home -  the old methods are still the best methods!

Concrete underpinning involves increasing the depth of your foundations down to the point where the soil is structurally sound, helping to improve the integrity of your foundations. Essentially, we create new foundations for your building. It’s the safest and most dependable method for foundation repairs and is the strategy we use for all our foundation repairs.

Steel screw piling

Steel Screw piles are not often used but in some circumstances they can be beneficial as long as attention to detail and correct procedure is followed.

Chemical Underpinning 

While Adept Underpinner can use chemical underpinning in many cases, we don't recommend it in the following situations:

 

1. Severe Structural Damage

• If the building has experienced structural damage, such as cracks in walls, tilting due to instability, chemical underpinning will not provide the comprehensive support needed. In these cases, traditional underpinning methods are typically more effective for stabilising the foundation and addressing major structural issues.

 

2. Large-Scale Soil Instability

• For sites experiencing extensive soil movement, arising from soil expansion and contraction, landslides or deep settlement, chemical underpinning will not provide lasting results. While chemical grouts can fill voids only in the soil in localised areas, they may not address large-scale soil shifts they will move with the shifting soil that require more robust and lasting solutions, like traditional underpinning methods.

 

3. Uncertain or Inconsistent Soil Conditions

• In areas where soil conditions are unpredictable, chemical underpinning may not offer the reliability needed for long-term stabilisation. Traditional underpinning can better address these issues, ensuring a more consistent and durable foundation repair.

 

4. Large, Deep Foundations

• For large buildings or foundations that go deep into the ground (e.g., multi-story buildings or structures with deep basements), chemical underpinning is not effective. Chemical underpinning is more suited to shallow temporary slab support under foundations or minor adjustments, and most structures typically require more substantial reinforcement through traditional concrete methods.

 

5. Risk of Chemical Reaction or Contamination

• If there are concerns about potential chemical reactions with the surrounding environment, soil types, or the building’s materials, chemical underpinning may not be the best choice. Improper chemical interaction or contamination could cause further problems.

 

6. Not Effective for Water Flow Issues

• Chemical underpinning will not address water seepage, it will not be effective and will not collect and remove waterflow only create issues adjacent to your existing water flow problems, such as flooding or groundwater pressure. For water-related issues, additional drainage solutions are often necessary, alongside traditional underpinning, to resolve the root cause of foundation instability.

 

7. Limited Application for Large Structural Changes

• If you plan on making significant structural changes, such as adding extra floors or subfloor extensions, chemical underpinning may not provide the required strength to support these changes. Traditional underpinning methods are better suited to handle the increased load and stresses from such modifications.

 

8. Aesthetic or Preservation Concerns

• For historic buildings or properties where aesthetic value and preservation are critical, chemical underpinning may not be the best choice due to potential impacts on the structure’s integrity. Traditional underpinning methods can be more controlled and precise, making them more suitable for maintaining the original structure and appearance.

 

We service a vast area between the Central Coast and Sydney, including:

• Central Coast
• Upper North Shore
• The Forest District
• Northern Beaches
• Hills District
• North West Sydney
• Blacktown
• Parramatta
• Lower North Shore
• Inner WestFor more information on our house underpinning & foundation repairs, call our Expert house underpinning and foundation repair specialist in Sydney and Central Coast on 02 4363 2828 or shoot us an email.