House Improvement: Why Restumping Could Be the First Step
With many television shows demonstrating home improvement techniques and ‘feel good’ stories about refurbishing the family home, many home owners are feeling inspired and looking for ways to revamp their space. The thing about houses is that no matter what you do to improve their appearance, if the foundations are not strong and trustworthy, then it could be more like a case of ‘rearranging deckchairs on the Titanic’, as the saying goes.
Reading the Signs
Every house speaks. Often we hear them whisper to us at night with small creaks and bumps as the house adjusts on its foundations. Sometimes the house speaks even louder as with the case of cracks in the walls and uneven flooring. If we listen and heed these warnings, we will see that these are signs that the foundations are struggling to support the weight of the house adequately and they are in need of repair. Often in the case of stumps, it could be a sign that the house is in need of restumping.
Start from the Foundations
For home owners it can be disappointing to look around at the cracks on the walls of their home and other areas where the house is looking tired and old. The urge to cover them up with some plaster and a fresh coat of paint could seem like a really great idea that will improve the look of the house. But this is only a temporary solution, and if the source of the problem is not addressed, the cracks will be sure to appear again and again, and often be worse each time. At Black and White Houseraising and Restumping, we encourage you to check your stumps before you do any work to the inside of the house.
Why Restump First?
One of the main reasons for cracks appearing in the walls, sagging ceilings and uneven flooring is due to a problem with one or more of the stumps underneath the house. Over time, the stumps on your house are affected by weathering and decay, which can cause them to weaken, and they will need to be replaced before you do anything else. During the restumping process, the house will be likely to shift in some places, which can cause some cracking in different areas, which would then need to be repaired and repainted. It is for this reason that it makes sense to start at the bottom and work your way up, to ensure that the house you are improving above has foundations you can trust.