Reblocking, Restumping & Underpinning: how are they different?

Restumping, reblocking, and underpinning although different, have something in common which is that they are related to the foundation of a house. These three terms involve the replacements and repair of stumps whether wooden, steel, or concrete. To give you a clearer understanding of these terms, we have put together the individual benefits of these processes alongside their definitions and how they are done.

Restumping/Reblocking

Often used interchangeably, these two terms both refer to the replacement of foundation stumps of a building. The processes are similar and are done when the stump of a building gets damaged, cracked, or rotten, as in the case of wooden stumps. Restumping involves the replacement of these old stumps with new ones in order to prevent the building structure from collapsing. Foundation stumps get damaged over time by several factors like water and termites.

You know your house needs restumping or reblocking when you begin to notice cracks on the walls, as well as sinking floors and windows. These are signs of a major defect in the foundation stump of a building. Restumping involves placing jacks to support the floor while the old stump is removed and replaced with the new one. The procedure may result in minor damage to the floors, paintings, and windows of the house.

In the same vein, Reblocking involves setting jacks to hold the floor while fresh stumps made of concrete are added to replace old ones. Restumping and Reblocking both require the skills of an expert, and extensive research should be made about what type of restumping is best for your house.

Benefits of restumping and reblocking

There are a plethora of benefits associated with restumping and reblocking. These procedures are very beneficial for people who have their houses in flood-prone areas which exposes the foundation of their house to excessive moisture.

Inspect and repair foundation

Restumping will help to assess the condition of the foundation of your house. It is very dangerous to live in a house that is barely standing on its foundation. With restumping, you are assured that your house is resting on a strong foundation; this will keep your mind at rest.

Remove damaged stumps

Since old houses have been sitting on the same foundation stump for years, these stumps become weak and unable to efficiently support the building structure. Restumping allows you to keep these damaged stumps away and replace them with new ones which are much more stronger and reliable.

More rooms for your apartment

Restumping gives extra space to your apartment. If you intend to create more rooms for the household, restumping may be a good option to consider.

Keep your things safe

It protects your properties from flood. Restumping and reblocking raises the base of a building and lift valuable items above levels where they can be damaged by water and moisture. You don’t need to risk valuable items by sticking to a building with weak foundations.

Increase the market value of your house

Everyone wants a building without much trouble and stress. Restumping protects a building from future disasters and creates a sense of security for the occupants of the building. So if you are planning to sell your house, restumping may be a good way to increase its market value.

Underpinning

Underpinning is mainly done for homes that have walls of brick veneer and a foundation of concrete slabs which suffer cracks that have resulted from years of continuous usage. Underpinning is also done for sinking slabs. When these walls crack or sink, the brick losses its tight alignment and becomes structurally imbalanced.

For underpinning, several jacks are used to lift up the cracked slabs, while a new coat of concrete is poured around the jacks. This process stabilizes the alignment of the brick, causing it to be more stable. Underpinning is majorly done in Melbourne because of the dominance of brick veneer walls.

Sinking, bulging or sagging of walls, structural cracks, and defects in the alignment of windows and doors, are the common signs that your apartment needs underpinning. Just like most jobs, professional help is required to achieve good results and to create a stable foundation for your home.

Why is Underpinning done?

This process is done to inspect the hidden parts of a building, identify any defects, and possibly correct these defects. It also helps to identify old parts of a building that need to be replaced, such as the plumbing or electrical connections in the building.

Benefits of Underpinning

Underpinning strengthens the foundation of a building, making it strong to withstand the effect of external factors like water. It increases the value of a building. Underpinning transforms your building into a more profitable asset. What more? It helps to preserve the integrity of a building that may have been affected by a shift in the existing foundation, inadequacy of the original support for the climatic condition of the area, and the effect of the original foundation resting on a land that has insufficient carrying capacity of the building.

The Difference between Restumping, Reblocking, and Underpinning

Now that we have discussed each of these processes in detail, what then can be said to be the major difference between Restumping, Reblocking, and Underpinning. It’s simple, these processes differ but only in a little way. The major difference between them is that in restumping or reblocking the foundation stumps are completely replaced either entirely, as in the whole foundation stump, or partially, as in only the damaged stump is replaced. While in underpinning, rather than being replaced, the concrete is made stronger and reinforced using a newer material.

With the constant wear and tear your home has to endure, it is not surprising that vital parts of a building like the foundation get damaged. You cannot avoid this, however, you can limit the effect of this wear and tear and protect your home from potential harm. If you notice a potential damage to the foundation of your house, do not panic, rather contact an expert to put you through the necessary steps to take. Do your research and take measures to curtail the situation.