Step-by-step instructions and tips for replacing an old foundation

The foundation is the foundation of any house, its skeleton. But over time, even the strongest foundation can become unusable due to exposure to moisture, soil movements, or simply from old age. Cracks, distortions, subsidence — all these are signals that the foundation of the house requires urgent intervention.
Replacing the foundation is a difficult, responsible and expensive task. However, in some cases, this is the only way to save the house from destruction. This process requires careful planning and strict adherence to technology.
Stage 1: diagnosis and selection of a new foundation type
Before you break something, you need to make a thorough diagnosis. Invite a specialist who will be able to assess the degree of damage to the old foundation and the condition of the soil under the house. The choice of replacement technology will depend on this.
Based on the diagnosis, a decision is made on a new type of foundation. Most often, one of the following options is used to replace an existing house:
- A ribbon foundation. The classic version is suitable for most types of houses and soils.
- Pile or pile-screw foundation. It is ideal for problematic soils (swampy, deep-lying) and houses with low weight.
- Slab foundation. The most reliable, but also the most expensive option, is used less often due to the complexity of bringing the finished house.
The choice depends on many factors, and it is impossible to save money at this stage. A mistake can cost an entire house.
Stage 2: Lifting the house and dismantling the old foundation
This is the most spectacular and crucial stage. The house must be lifted above the old foundation with the help of powerful jacks. This is usually done in stages, a few centimeters on each side, to avoid distortion and damage to the structure.
The raised house is installed on temporary supports (wooden or metal). After that, access to the old foundation appears, and you can start dismantling it. This is dirty and hard work, which is done with jackhammers, rotary hammers, and sometimes special equipment.
Stage 3: Building a new foundation
When the site is cleared, the construction of a new foundation begins. The technology depends on the type you choose. If this is a ribbon foundation, then a trench is dug, a formwork is installed, a reinforcing frame is knitted and concrete is poured.
If the choice falls on piles, they are either hammered or screwed into the ground along the perimeter and under the load-bearing walls. Then the piles are tied with a grillage (metal or concrete beam), on which the house will rest. It is important to allow the new foundation to gain strength (for concrete, this is about 28 days).
Stage 4: lowering the house and finishing work
After the new foundation is ready, the house is carefully lowered to its new location. This process also requires precision and does not tolerate haste. After lowering, all levels are checked, and the house is finally fixed on the base.
The final stage is the waterproofing of the new foundation, the installation of a blind area for water drainage and, if necessary, insulation. These works will protect the new foundation from destruction and extend its service life for many decades.
Replacing the foundation is, in fact, a rebirth for the house. The process is complicated, but it allows you to preserve your native walls and be sure of their reliability for many years to come. 1xBet met à disposition une structure de bonus équilibrée pour tous les profils. Le bonus sportif de 100 % jusqu’à 130 € permet d’augmenter les mises initiales. En intégrant le meilleur code promo 1xbet les joueurs découvrent également une offre casino incluant 1 950 € de bonus et 150 tours gratuits.