You’ve probably heard people say that they “fixed their foundation”. You can’t just rush through it. Melbourne’s stable, strong structures are built with underpinning foundation. Imagine your home as an aging movie star, sagging and in need of a little boost to restore its former glory. This is where underpinning comes into play.

Imagine finding your doors squeaking shut one morning, or cracks that zigzag across your walls. Although it’s not an easy task to fix these problems, guess what? The task doesn’t necessarily have to be Herculean. It’s sometimes necessary to give the foundation of your home some TLC in order to hold it all together. The process of underpinning helps to add extra support and stability to your building.

Now let’s dig into the nitty gritty. Melbourne’s houses can be built on soils ranging from sandy silt, to swollen mud. It’s important to note that underpricing can be a tricky task. You’ve probably felt your toes sink into wet sand when you walk on the beach. Imagine your house sinking into the sand. Experts strengthen the soil using techniques that adapt the earth’s quirks below.

Mike, a suburban family man, discovered that his brand new tiles started to crack only three month after installation. After some coffee with his neighbors, and a frantic Google-search, he realized that this was not a simple DIY weekend fix. The professionals suggested that underpinning was needed to combat the subsidence. Mike could now sleep a little easier, knowing that not only had the tiles been repaired, but his house was also re-energized.

Melbourne is not short on underpinning. Even older homes that have charm and character often need a little help to keep up with the modern needs. Even newer homes may require this if they were not built correctly, or the gum tree outside decided it wanted to drink a little too much.

Imagine underpinning your house as a new pair shoes that are sturdy, comfortable and durable. The underpinners will dig down to your foundation and inject stronger materials, or add additional support. You’re giving your home orthotics that will ensure it is able to walk with confidence in the future.

The noise is quite loud when the underpinning process is in progress. Imagine a chorus – a variety of machines working hard – like a rock group rehearsing in your backyard. But it’s all a part of the plan to make sure your home will stand the test of time.

What about the wallet? It’s not about turning nickels to dollars. It’s a good investment, just like braces. It hurts a little bit? Yes. It’s worth it. Absolutely. It’s important to do some research and find people who have a good understanding of the terrain, both literally as well as figuratively. The same applies to your home. You wouldn’t just trust anyone with your own health.

Melbourne’s climate is unpredictable. It can rain for days on end, then suddenly it will be as dry as bone. It can affect the soil and foundation. Imagine a souffle rising in the oven and then falling. That’s how your ground expands and contracts. Underpinning is important to ensure that your house doesn’t collapse.

You will be able to tell if the walls are cracked or if there are stuck doors by tenants, potential buyers or those annoying relatives that visit during the holidays. This is a poor reflection on how the house was maintained. It’s not just about fixing. It’s also about protecting your investment. Who wouldn’t like to have their little corner of Melbourne sparkle and be stable?

It’s important to remember that underpinning is not just a technical term. It is also the backbone of many Melbourne homes. If you apply the right touch to your home, you can not only repair those cracks but also give it the strength needed to deal with whatever life brings. If you keep the foundation solid, everything else will fall into place.