The foundation of your house does more than just hold the entire building up by supporting the weight of the structure and transferring it to the soil underneath. It also keeps out moisture and cold while resisting external pressures caused by earth movement.

Over time, however, your home's foundation may weaken and become unstable. When this happens, you'll need to carry out underpinning. Home underpinning generally refers to the different types of repair methods used to strengthen and stabilise the foundation of a home. Underpinning service may be required due to a variety of reasons.

Continue reading on to find out why your house may have to get underpinned at some point in its lifespan. 

Water Damage

Generally, every new home construction needs to incorporate waterproofing systems into its design. If you live in a region with a rainy or wet climate, these systems will be essential for protecting your home from water penetration. 

Unfortunately, the waterproofing systems installed during house construction don't last forever. They tend to wear away over time and become ineffective at protecting your home from water seepage. If the problem isn't addressed in good time, you could end up needing a more expensive foundation repair solution — underpinning. 

Earth Movements

Houses tend to find their place as the soil on which they stand settles. As your house moves, rigid systems of the home such as the foundation will crack and crumble, compromising the structural integrity of the entire building. When this happens, you'll start to see obvious signs of foundation damage to your home, including:

• Cracked walls 
• Cracks around walls and windows
• Stuck doors 
• Uneven floors
• House slanted to one side

It's a good idea to get your home inspected for foundation damage after major seismic events in your area to see if you will need underpinning services.

Building Age

Another common culprit behind a deteriorated house foundation is the original construction of it. The materials used to build the foundation of your house can erode or become damaged over time, resulting in serious foundation damage. 

The damaged materials will need to be removed and replaced to stabilise and restore the structural integrity of your home.

Ignoring the signs of foundation damage can be detrimental to you in a huge way. Remember, if your foundation goes, so will the rest of your home. The best way to protect your investment is to call a home underpinning contractor at the earliest signs of foundation trouble.