Soft earth and soil erosion can cause serious issues for our properties. Without enough stable support around substantial fixtures like walls, paving, and driveways, they can start to slant. Over time, this leads to cracks, bigger security problems, and health and safety issues. The best option is to call on a professional underpinning company to come and repair the damage. They have tried and tested measures to get everything level and secure again. But which should you go for?

There are two options to consider when choosing the right approach to foundation and subsidence repair. One is to go with the old-fashioned approach of concrete underpinning, where workers literally pour concrete into the gaps and let it set. The other is to work with chemical underpinning. This resin-based solution is a more recent development that underpinning companies now swear by. They eagerly promote this as the better option, but why? What's so special about chemical underpinning?

 

It's Effective

There's always going to be some temptation to go with concrete underpinning because it's been the industry standard for so many years. It's proven to be an effective option for securing subsidence issues and faults with foundations, walls, driveway paving, and more. Concrete is famously strong enough to handle almost anything and last for years. So, why switch to a resin alternative? Well, resin is just as effective and has a lot of potential when it comes to fixing the same issues. The expansion rate and the solid structure of the cured resin mean it can easily level out problems and fill gaps without wearing down too quickly. While this might not be enough alone to convince you to make the switch, the following factors might.

 

It's Less Invasive

This is the big selling point for a lot of homeowners considering concrete underpinning or chemical underpinning. The concrete service might be effective, but it takes a lot of work and disruption to get to that point. When filling in the gaps caused by loose sides and subsidence, you have to access the area causing issues, fill it in effectively with your chosen material, and restore the area so that you can't see the repair. This isn't easy when you're creating easy access to a damaged foundation to fill it with thick concrete. You could end up with a repair team ripping out large sections of your garden or your driveway to make those repairs. You then have to hope that the team is considerate enough to put everything back as it was - where that's even possible.

On top of this, you have all the noise and disruption that comes from having this team on site, creating the concrete, and dealing with the aftermath. This isn't ideal if you have young children and pets at home that could end up at risk. It's a different story with chemical underpinning. The main difference here is that the best chemical underpinning companies have a non-invasive keyhole approach. This is similar to the idea of keyhole surgery, where smaller incisions allow for cleaner, more precise, and less invasive work. The geo-polyurethane resin injected into these smaller holes expands to fill the cavity between the damaged areas and loose ground. Once set, this creates the same secure foundation with less invasive work. The added benefit of this solution is that you can fill in gaps close to interior walls with great ease. This means it is even more effective for foundation subsidence than concrete solutions.

 

It's Cost Effective

This is just as important for consumers looking for a good deal on their slab repair and foundation work. No substantial project like this is going to be cheap. You're working with skilled tradespeople who can make a massive impact on the longevity and security of your property. They're coming to your home with the very best materials and equipment for an efficient process. Still, this option is cheaper than dealing with concrete and can save money in the long run. Once the team has injected the resin and it's all set into place, there are no additional labor costs of cleaning up the mess or needing to be on-site for excessive periods.

 

It's Better for The Environment

This last point will surprise a lot of people because you don't expect something like this to be environmentally friendly. As soon as you say the words chemical and resin, it sounds pretty toxic. It's not a natural solution by any means, and it would be better not to have these chemicals in the ground. But, if your property is in danger of collapse, you want the safest option possible. This resin is environmentally neutral and a lot better than the alternative. There isn't the same carbon footprint in the creation and transportation of materials to create this effective filler. Also, that less invasive approach means you aren't going to have to damage too much of the surrounding property to make it work. That means you're not ripping out plant life and disturbing wildlife as much, and you will soon have the property as good as new.

 

Finding The Best Chemical Underpinning Team

The only way to enjoy all of these benefits is to find a team with the right level of experience and skillsets. They need to know exactly what they're doing with the injection resin solution to uphold that promise of a non-invasive service. Their testimonials and case studies should make that clear enough. They should also have competitive pricing and great customer service so you can get the best possible deal.

The right team can make all the difference when fixing issues with subsidence and uneven paving on your property. At their worst, they can be there for a very long time, ripping up your home, using costly concrete, and making a lot of noise. At their best, they'll be in and out in no time, thanks to their resin injection chemical underpinning and the efficiency of the keyhole method. They'll be cost-effective, considerate, and well worth working with.