When it comes to Australian homes, a great number of them that were constructed in the colonial times were erected atop timber stumps. The process of using these stumps to create the foundation of a home was known as stumping. However, despite some of the resistant types of timber being used for this process, tree rot and termite infestations would still manage to affect the stumps after a significant period of time. If you live in an old house, chances are it could be due for house stumping.
What is house stumping?
House stumping is commonly referred to as restumping or as reblocking. It is the process of eliminating the current stumps in the residences foundation and replacing them with newer, healthier tree stumps. The process of house stumping is carried out through jacking the foundation in question in order to remove the stumps in question. Once the stumps are removed, the contractor will then lower the house's floor joists onto the newly installed stumps, thus ensuring they remain secured in place.
House stumping is a complex process and should only be left to professional contractors so as to ensure that the work is done expertly. Not only is it labour intensive, but each individual stump has to be positioned in a precise manner so that the house can remain both level and structurally sound. The most common type of timber used for the house stumping process is Red timber. This is because it possesses qualities that are highly resistant to both rot and pest infestations. However, you can also opt to have the contractors make use of modern materials such as galvanized steel or concrete if you would prefer to eliminate the use of wood altogether.
What are the signs that you require house stumping?
Since not all homeowners know what restumping is and why they would require it, chances are they would also miss out on the indications that they require house restumping since they do not know what to look for. Here are some of the signs that mean your residence will require restumping.
- Your floors keep creaking: This typically indicates that they are no longer level and inefficient stumps may cause this irregularity.
- Your floors feel spongy: Typically, if your floors start feeling sift or rubbery when you are walking on them, it could indicate that the initial stumps have succumbed to wood rot and need to be replaced.
- Your walls are developing cracks: The onset of cracks on your walls could be an indicator that your house is gradually sinking due to ineffective stumps.
If you have an older house and you notice any of the signs above, contact a local contractor to learn more about house restumping.
