Wondering what restumping actually involves or when it’s time to take action? Perhaps you’re curious about the types of foundations suitable for your house, or why stumps fail in the first place.
We’ve got you covered with straightforward answers and handy tips to guide you through the process of securing your home’s base. Let’s dive into the most common questions about restumping below.
What is Restumping?
Restumping is the process of replacing old or damaged stumps under a house with new ones to keep the structure level and secure. This is common in older homes where the original timber stumps have worn out, either from changes in the soil or from pests like termites. The procedure involves lifting parts of the house to remove the old stumps and put in new ones, usually made of stronger materials like concrete or steel.
While DIY restumping is an option, it demands careful attention to detail and a good understanding of how to keep everything safe and stable. If you’re not fully confident, or if the house’s electrical systems might be affected, it’s wise to call in a professional. This ensures the job is done safely and meets all the necessary standards.
How Do I Know When to Restump?
You will know when to restump when you see experience uneven floors, cracks in walls, sticky doors and windows, and bouncy or soft floors.
Uneven Floors
When your floors start to slope or feel uneven as you walk, it’s a good indicator that your stumps might be failing. This usually happens when the stumps beneath your home have settled or deteriorated unevenly due to changes in the soil.
Cracks in Walls
Noticeable cracks in your walls, especially around doors and windows, suggest that the foundation of your house is shifting. These shifts can occur when the stumps are damaged by age, moisture, or pests like termites.
Sticky Doors and Windows
If doors and windows that used to open smoothly are now sticking or difficult to close, it could mean your house is moving slightly. This is often due to problems with the stumps supporting your home, which may need replacing.
Bouncy or Soft Floors
A floor that feels bouncy or softer underfoot is a strong sign that your stumps need attention. This can happen when the stumps are no longer able to properly support the weight of the house, making the floors feel unstable.
Want to know how much does it cost to restump a house? Read our blog for more details.
What Are the Types of Building Foundations and Footings?
The following are the types of building foundations and footings:
- Slab on Ground: This is a solid concrete base poured directly onto the ground, providing a firm foundation for any building.
- Suspended Floors: These floors are elevated above the ground, supported by beams and columns, allowing for space underneath.
- Strip Footings: This foundation involves a continuous line of concrete that supports the load-bearing walls above it.
- Pad Footings: Isolated concrete blocks support specific points under the structure, dealing with concentrated loads.
- Stumps: Timber, steel, or concrete posts act as vertical supports that raise the building’s floor above the ground.
- Piles: These are long poles driven deep into the soil to stabilise buildings on weak or shifting ground.
- Piers: Constructed to reach down to stable soil or rock, piers provide deep support, especially useful on sloping sites.
Why Do House Stumps Fail?
House stumps fail because of the age of the stumps, rotting, and soil movement. Let’s take a closer look at each reason below.
Age of the Stumps
As time goes by, house stumps gradually wear out. This is a natural occurrence that can eventually weaken the foundation of a house. Older stumps, especially if they’re made from materials that aren’t particularly robust, struggle to bear the weight they’re supposed to support.
Rotting Stumps
When wooden stumps get wet, trouble starts brewing. Moisture encourages the growth of fungi, which in turn leads to wood rot. As the wood’s condition worsens, it loses its strength, making the house less stable and secure.
Soil Movement
The ground beneath a house can change, impacting the stumps supporting it. Whether it’s expanding clay or shifting sand, these changes can cause stumps to move, tilt, or even sink. Such movement often leads to visible signs of distress in the home, like cracks in the walls or floors that feel uneven.
