Thursday, 4 August 2016

Piling, Mini Piling & Underpinning?

Piling (and mini piling) is not a requirement that many homeowners know about when seeking to expand on their home. When first hearing about piling, the first thought is "Do I really need this?" The answer is yes.

What is Piling?


Piling forms the very basis of construction and is used to support any type of construction such as buildings, bridges, etc. Piling is done with piles which are long columns of timber, concrete or steel that are driven into the ground to provide a foundation for a vertical load. This is called a bearing pile.


What is Mini Piling?

 
Mini piles are normally steel driven tubes from 100mm to 220mm or bored cast instu 250mm to 350mm. Mini piling is essentially piling but is more often used in places when sites are difficult or have restricted access. Environmental sensitivity can also be a factor when deciding if mini piling is the appropriate course of action. Mini piling is also known as micro piling.
 

What is Underpinning?

 
Underpinning is a technique used to increase foundation depth or repair faulty foundations. This is often used when adding stories onto an existing building and increased foundation strength is a priority.