As a builder, there will come a time when a client will approach you with a re-stumping project. There are several reasons why homeowners would want to re-stump their homes, with structural integrity being the primary concern. If you have never done a re-stumping job before, then you must be aware that it requires proper safety precautions. For instance, it is critical to consider critical factors that might affect the stability of a building before re-stamping begins. This article highlights some of the areas you should assess before re-stumping a house.
Service Lines
As you would know, re-stumping entails raising a house to replace old stumps. The process requires the use of lifting jacks and temporary supports. Therefore, for proper operation of such equipment, you need a solid and stable surface. For example, if there are damaged water pipes under a house, then the chances are that water will have penetrated soil thereby affecting the ground's ability to support lifting jacks. In this case, reinforcement of land is necessary. Gas and electricity lines running under a house must also be examined before a project commences because any damage puts you at risk.
Sub-Floor Structural Elements
The nature of stumps used should dictate the level of safety precautions a builder ought to take. For instance, houses built on longer stumps are more likely to experience lateral instability when using a jack. In this scenario, you need specialised equipment such as lateral-restraint jacks to help in minimising lateral movement during the process. Additionally, the presence of hidden, rotten, floor joists might cause structural collapse. Therefore, make sure that you examine the state of sub-floor structural elements so that the structure does not collapse unexpectedly.
Floor Surface Area
The number of lifting jacks you need to raise a house off its stumps depends on the surface area of the floor. If surface area is large, then you need a higher number of lifting jacks compared to a home with a smaller floor. Notably, if you compromise on the number of jacks required, then you risk collapsing the entire house during the lifting phase. Therefore, after assessing the sub-floor structure, make calculations on the approximate surface area for the floor.
Support Points
When using lifting equipment during a house re-stumping project, the floor section resting on top of the lifting devices must be strong enough. If you place jacks on weak floor points, then the equipment would go through the floor thereby causing damage to the house or even injuries. If the stumps are in excellent condition, inspect the state of the main floor both underneath and inside the home. Lifting equipment should only be placed on points of the floor that will not give way.
For more information, contact stump home builders.
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