The foundations of dwellings can present problems because the foundation as designed is not adequate, because of the nature of the ground where it is located, because that nature has been changed by an external agent, because the foundation has not reached the required firmness, because of a change in loads, and so on. Any of these is dangerous.
Claiming for foundation problems
Once you have detected a foundation problem in your property, it is important that a specialist in foundations checks their condition. Underpinning, resin injection, micropiling or another method may be required to stop the foundation, and the building it supports, from deteriorating further.
Once the condition of the foundation has been checked and the cause of the damage determined, there is a general 10-year guarantee period to claim against those responsible, as this is structural damage affecting the safety of the building. If this is your case, please contact us.
Foundation pathologies in buildings
It should be noted at the outset that foundation problems are often serious. Pathologies originating in the foundation may be due to a project defect, such as choosing the wrong foundation system (a slab where piles should have been designed), not calculating the bearing capacity of the soil correctly, not considering foundation overstressing, or not reaching the right depth with the piles. They may also be due to insufficient knowledge of the ground (for example, expansive clays, anthropic fills or collapsible soils), among other causes. In any case, a foundation with such pathologies must be examined by a specialist.
Depending on the classification of the land on which the building stands, the weight of the building, the distribution of loads and so on, a type of foundation known as shallow foundation can be designed. It consists of footings, that is, large rectangular blocks of reinforced concrete on which the pillars rest, which can be tied or braced. It can also be a reinforced slab, a large but continuous block of reinforced concrete that occupies the entire surface on which the building is to be erected and is used when ground conditions are more unfavourable. Another type of foundation is the deep foundation, using isolated piles, grouped piles, micropiles and so on, which must be executed at the depth and level established by the geotechnical study. If these considerations are not taken into account, a foundation problem is inevitable.
Depending on the classification of the land on which the building stands, the weight of the building, the distribution of loads and so on, a type of foundation known as shallow foundation can be designed. It consists of footings, that is, large rectangular blocks of reinforced concrete on which the pillars rest, which can be tied or braced. It can also be a reinforced slab, a large but continuous block of reinforced concrete that occupies the entire surface on which the building is to be erected and is used when ground conditions are more unfavourable.
Another type of foundation is the deep foundation, using isolated piles, grouped piles, micropiles and so on, which must be executed at the depth and level established by the geotechnical study. If these considerations are not taken into account, a foundation problem is inevitable.