What is Underpinning?

Have you ever wondered how to make your building's existing foundations deeper and more secure? Underpinning is a specialised construction technique designed to do just that. It involves a meticulous process where you carefully excavate the ground directly beneath your current foundation. This removed soil is then progressively replaced, often in stages, with new, stronger foundation material, typically concrete.

You might find yourself needing to undertake an underpinning project for a couple of key reasons. For instance, your property's existing foundations may have moved or become unstable, often because of poor ground conditions or changes in the soil, such as subsidence (which is when the ground sinks). Alternatively, if you're planning to expand your building by adding another storey – whether that's an additional floor above ground level or a new basement below – your current foundations might not be deep or robust enough to adequately support the increased load or the modified structural design. In such cases, underpinning becomes a crucial step to ensure the long-term stability of your home.