Engel Construction Ltd draws on its many years of experience in the trade to provide a responsive underpinning service. Located in East Horsley and primarily taking on projects in London, our team has an excellent reputation. We can work as a project manager, a main contractor or even as a subcontractor. Underpinning is an important building service that reinforces the strength of foundations after incidents of subsidence.
We are particularly at home working on properties in desirable areas Kensington and its surrounding locations.
If you would like us to travel to your property or project for the purpose of providing a consultation, site survey and quotation, please contact us on 01483 283718. We very much look forward to taking your call and to helping you.
In construction, underpinning is a remedial method of repair where contractors excavate the soil beneath a structure to access the foundations and to replace, repair or reinforce. It is a service usually required for one of two reasons. It can be used to strengthen foundations when building or reinforcing a basement, or to stabilise subsidence in the foundations.
These services are explained in more detail below:
Whenever an increase in load is added to a building, such as a basement construction or the addition of extra storeys, the foundations will need strengthening. By increasing the depth of the existing foundations and setting pins, heavier loads are better supported and stabilised. The gravitational load then spreads out more evenly into the surrounding land.
Over time, a building’s foundations may weaken, especially if poor construction methods were originally used. Environmental changes have an impact on foundations, and so does age if a building is historical or significantly dated. Underpinning is used to repair or replace faulty foundations. This stabilises the structure and the finished work will last for many years.
Trading as a proud member of ASUC, Engel Construction Ltd is a specialist in all underpinning techniques. Having so many possibilities available allows our contractors to address any deficiencies in structural integrity accurately on a case-by-case basis. All underpinning projects completed in Kensington and the wider London area comply with the latest version of the UK Building Regulations.
The most common types of underpinning include:
This traditional method is a popular type of underpinning and dates back hundreds of years. We excavate box-shaped cavities to specified depths beneath the structure. These cavities are filled with concrete. We repeat the process in a pre-specified order to build a stronger foundation.
This method of underpinning is a technically-advanced version of the traditional mass concrete method. It includes constructing and installing a reinforced concrete beam to redirect the structural load onto a series of concrete bases. These bases are commonly referred to as slabs.
This is a fast and cost-effective method of underpinning, one which uses screw piles and brackets. It is an option for our contractors when traditional methods are impractical, or access is restricted. Up to 25 screw piles can be installed in one day and the job needs less excavation.
The pile and beam underpinning method is used when the entire building needs to be reinforced, if the ground conditions are too hard, or if the existing foundations are dug too deep. It is a complex process that requires a skilled workforce, and it usually involves the removal of flooring.
If you are worried that your property might have a subsidence problem or other issues with the foundations, check for the warning signs listed below and do not hesitate to call us with your concerns. A qualified civil engineer will visit you to identify potential issues. We travel to properties throughout London, and to locations across the surrounding areas.
We are particularly adept at working on prestigious properties in Kensington and other desirable parts of London.
Be aware of:
We support our underpinning work with a range of traditional building services in London and the inner M25 radius.
