Owning a Historic Portland home can be an excellent choice for homeowners who love the charm and character of older houses. But, like any house, they may need some work to maintain their value and safety. This is particularly true when it comes to the foundation. When a building is older, it is more likely to have foundation damage and problems. This is due to the fact that, during the time they were built, builders did not have the same understanding of structural concrete that we do today. This led to many methods of foundation construction that are less than ideal for maintaining a strong and safe structure.
Historical Foundation repair home and building owners who need foundation repair should have their contractors work with the local historic society to ensure that the original building methods are maintained throughout the process. Historical societies will often have plans and records on file that will help guide the CNT Foundation team to ensure the integrity of your building is preserved.
Unearthing the Past: Exploring the Historical Foundations of Building Repair
Generally, historic buildings have brick-and-mortar foundations that are held up by skin friction – the bond between the foundation walls and the dirt around them. This makes it difficult to excavate the foundation to perform repairs or assessments. However, it is possible to make improvements that will improve the longevity of your foundation.
One such improvement is piercing. This method involves installing helical piles into the ground under your foundation to stabilize the structure and raise it when necessary. This can be a great solution for homes that have sunk into their basement or are experiencing significant shifting of the house’s structure.
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