The two most common types of materials used for foundation stumps that support the structure of a house are concrete and timber. The wooden stumps are less expensive than their concrete counterparts, but offer less stability and are more prone to the weather and soil elements. Concrete stumps have become the preferred choice of restumping, reblocking, and underpinning projects.
There are many advantages to using stumps made of concrete instead of timber. They include:
Foundation stumps made of concrete offer more support, stability, and strength to the floors and walls of the house. The stumps are able to distribute the weight of the floors more evenly, which results in the foundation developing less wear and tear.
They last longer and are able to weather most soil conditions that Melbourne has to offer. The stumps do not rot or decay as easily as wood. They are resistant to the levels of humidity and the heat in the city, which allows them to retain their shape and solidity in all weather conditions.
Once the stumps are inserted into the ground, they require minimal maintenance. The only thing the homeowners need to do is check the stumps once in a while for any signs of cracks.
As a material, concrete is non-combustible. Foundations made from concrete will not catch fire, adding to the safety and security of the structure.
Concrete stumps may cost more than timber stumps, but over the period of fifteen to twenty years, they tend to be the better investment. Once they have been fixed to the floors and inserted into the soil, they do not require supervision or checks of any kind from contractors or the building council. The concrete foundation provides a safe, reliable base for your house that can last a lifetime.
The best way to monitor the foundation stumps that provide stability and security to the structure of the house is to check for the following:
These three factors are good indicators that the concrete or wooden stumps supporting your house need to be either repaired or replaced.
Melbourne Restumping generally advises homeowners to vacate their premises while we work on the foundation. This allows us to carry out extensive work on the stumps without any concern of disturbing the family members. If a homeowner cannot arrange for temporary residence elsewhere, they can stay back. The only time when moving out of the home is mandatory is when the height between the floors and the stumps is less than 400 mm.
Our contractors try to keep the modifications to the structure of the house to a bare minimum. One area that can be affected is the wall plaster. However, if there is any damage to the plaster we undertake any painting or re-plastering work the wall may need. In some cases, if the floor boards need to be removed, we re-lay the floors once we complete the project, for no extra cost to our client.
You do not need to apply for any plans or permits for a restumping project. We take care of all the paperwork on your behalf before we begin work on the foundation stumps. A building approval may be needed, but that depends on the local council. If the council needs to approve the repair work then we present a certifier with the drafts of our plans. The certifier can then approve the plans on behalf of the council.
Since the entire structure of your house rests on the stumps, it should be the first thing that you should do before you proceed to renovate the walls, floors, and roofs of the house.
As far as the time and budget estimates are concerned, it depends from project to project. We complete most of our restumping and reblocking work within a week. The budget falls between 3,000 to 5,000 dollars.
Call Now On 9344-1515 or click the buttonto book an appointment
