Processes of Restumping
Restumping, or re-blocking, entails replacing the stumps on a house that have settled due to soil movement, or that have rotted after being exposed to the natural elements for so long. Common indications that a house needs restumping is when you notice:
- cracks in plaster work and brickwork;
- floors are uneven;
- decayed foundations underneath the house;
- doors and windows are creaking or are not closing properly.
The age of the house is another good sign. Houses constructed many decades ago are in need of reblocking or restumping soon. It is not wise to wait too long to restump your house because the decayed foundations of your house could suddenly collapse. Restumping is recommended for older houses that will be undergoing major restoration. The new stumps will lessen the strain of the ongoing construction work on the structure of the house.
Stages Involved in Restumping
There are a few steps involved in restumping your house:
- Checking which stumps require replacing or resetting. Normally, this step involves the use of a level to determine the evenness of the floors and by visually inspecting the stumps for movement and decay.
- Carefully and slightly lifting the house where the stumps that need to be replaced are located.
- Digging holes where the new stumps will be set.
- Attaching the galvanised steel or concrete stumps and setting them in concrete. Galvanised and concrete stumps are stronger and more durable than wood, do not decay, and are resistant to termites.
- Cleaning the debris and waste from the restumping job.
Why Call a Professional to Restump your House?
Restumping should be done properly in order to maintain the structural integrity of the house. In addition, restumping is a hard and dirty undertaking. The average homeowner also does not have the necessary machine and equipment to carry out a restumping job. For example, the house is lifted using a hydraulic jack before the new stumps can be attached and set in concrete.
A professional restumping company can help you with your restumping requirements, whether involving a single stump replacement or a restumping of the whole house. An engineer will draft the structural plans, which will be used to determine the value of the restumping project. Restumping your house can be rather costly, but hiring a professional who will do the job properly and to the highest standard will make the cost worth it.
A restumping project is a major undertaking. A restumping that is handled incorrectly could pose a risk to your house and the people you love.