WHICH UNDERPINNING IS BEST?
WHICH TYPE OF UNDERPINNING IS BEST?
We get asked this question every day.
FIRST RULE: Should you trust Underpinning Sales Reps?
Underpinning Sales reps are well paid and are very convincing. But before jumping into any type of expensive underpinning, do yourself a favour and contact Forensic Engineers for an expert, independent structural engineer report. Because we are on your side and we aren’t trying to sell you underpinning.
SECOND RULE: Which Underpinning is Best for You?
- Reinforced concrete piers and headstocks are the industry standard due to their practicality and long-term reliability. They should be your top choice in most situations!
- Steel Screw Piers "Hype": Some underpinning sales reps talk up the amazing benefits of steel screw piers, but in most cases it is just sales sweet-talk. Steel screw piers have some benefits in certain applications, but in most residential cases they are not the best option and are often massively over-priced. The best Underpinners can offer normal bored piers as-well-as steel screw piers, if and when required, and at a realistic cost.
- Polyurethane Resin Underpinning is excellent for lifting wide concrete slabs that aren’t anchored down. In some cases, it can also be effective for underpinning house footings. But soil conditions and footing and slab design may limit the results.
A report from Forensic Engineers will tell you which type of underpinning is best for you.
THIRD RULE: Avoid Underpinning When Possible
In many cases, footings and slabs can be stabilised without resorting to any expensive & stressful underpinning at all. And excessive floor level variations can often be reduced by following expert advice. Talk to forensic engineers for the best solutions!
Subsidence & wall cracks? Before jumping into expensive underpinning, contact Forensic Engineers for an expert, independent structural engineer report.
FOURTH RULE: Avoid Underpinners who offer to arrange an engineer report for you.
They can charge twice the industry rate and their engineers work for them, not for you!
Forensic Engineers are on-your-side, are 100% independent and our reports are for you - not for an underpinning sales rep.
FIFTH RULE: How much should you pay for a Structural Engineers Underpinning Report?
The base industry rate is around $800-900.00, depending on the property size and location. If you have been quoted more than this, you should shop around.
END GAME: Speak to us!
Contact FORENSIC ENGINEERS next time you need engineering advice for subsidence, wall cracks and underpinning. Because we are 100% independent and we are on your side.
Thinking about underpinning your house? Live in Brisbane, the Gold Coast, or anywhere in South East Queensland? Contact us today.
INSURANCE FLOOD DAMAGE ENGINEER REPORT
SINK HOLES & VOIDS UNDER FOOTINGS & SLABS
These are common foundation issues we investigate every day.
A report from Forensic Engineers will provide peace-of-mind.
Insurance Flooding Event: Structural Engineer Report
Structural Engineer Report for Insurance Claim Manager: Flood Event: Multiple Damages
- Flooding Event
- Erosion & sink holes around & under swimming pool path
- Rain water tanks cracked & leaking,
- Septic System backing up.
CAUSES.
- Loose sands & overland flow had caused erosion around the pool
- The rain water tanks were well past their "use-by-date" were cracked & leaking
- The septic system trenches were being filled up with water leaking from the rain water tanks.
SOLUTIONS.
WE HAVE THE ANSWERS
Body Corporate 5 Star Review!
BODY CORP & STRATA ENGINEER REPORTS
5 Star Review from a Body Corporate!
"Forensic Engineers were engaged by our Body Corporate at very short notice to conduct an inspection of our townhouse after another Engineering firm provided a less than satisfactory inspection & report on our premises.
They undertook the inspection yesterday in a very timely manner, after ensuring the full scope of work was agreed on by all stakeholders. Before leaving they gave a very much appreciated verbal debrief of his findings to us (the owner occupiers) & our BCC Chair. Their comprehensive report was completed very promptly overnight and sent to stakeholders this morning (Good Friday…a public holiday).
Forensic Engineers have to be commended for their vast professional knowledge, keen attention to detail; and their ability to call ‘a spade a spade’. We are very happy with the service Forensic Engineers has provided. Thumbs up, John & Simone"
- John and Simone
Forensic Engineers specialize in Reports for Strata Managers & Body Corps. We respect our Strata and Body Corp Clients.
RESIN INJECTION UNDERPINNING NEEDED
This Gymnasium floor is out-of-level and keeps on moving.
Our investigation found the property is on compressible river alluvial soils that settle differentially.
Flood events and saturation of the founding soils had also exacerbated the settlements.
Our Engineer Report recommended Structural Urethane Resin ground stabilization for re-establisment of an even floor surface with no trip hazards.
Expert Structural Engineer Reports: Forensic Engineers.
COOMERA WATERS SUBSIDENCE DAMAGE
SUBSIDENCE, WALL CRACKS, STRUCTURAL ENGINEER REPORT.
Home owners, buyers and sellers with house subsidence or wall crack problems
WE ARE NOT THE BIGGEST ENGINEERS IN TOWN, SO WE TRY HARDER!
Forensic Engineers are not the biggest or the most famous, so why use us?
- We try harder. When you are not so large, you have to!.
- We can't afford to over-charge, take too much time getting work done, or write rambling, long-winded reports.
- We never take our customers for granted.
So contact FORENSIC ENGINEERS next time you need a Structural Engineer Report for subsidence, wall cracks and underpinning.
FORENSIC ENGINEERS. WE TRY HARDER.
STRATA & BODY CORP ENGINEER REPORTS: SUBSIDENCE & UNDERPINNING
Body Corp & Strata Engineer Report Specialists!
Quotes in hours. Inspections and Reports in Days not weeks. And brilliant rates - to boot!
In this case the Body Corp called us in to investigate and report on this townhouse with subsidence and wall cracks and gaps that were getting worse and worse. It turned out that other engineers had previously looked at the building and had decided that subsidence was just old settlements that had stopped and and the damages were not serious and could be patched and painted. Sadly, they were wrong.
We found that the townhouse was actually located on loose landfill that was gradually subsiding, bit-by-bit, year after year, and stabilization with underpinning was the solution.
In this case, Resin / Chemical Underpinning was not considered appropriate and Steel Screw piers would be far too expensive and not even necessary.
The most reliable and cost effective method was with conventional underpinning using reinforced concrete piers and head-stocks.
Forensic Engineers are the Body Corp & Strata Specialists.
Super fast quotes, inspections & reports.
And, our brilliant Structural Engineer Reports are affordable, accurate, easy to understand and 100% independent.
