What is restumping?
Restumping is a maintenance process for houses that involves replacing the stumps of a house. House stumps—typically made of timber—can become defective with time and settle due to the natural movement of soil. With time, moisture from the soil rots these stumps, and if they are not fixed then the structure of the house is in danger. Older houses with timber stumps require restumping before renovations can begin. This is because renovations place extra strain on the house structure; thus, the structure needs to be sturdy to allow for this extra strain.
The process of restumping is a large job that needs to be handled properly by a professional team of workers. If done incorrectly, both the house and its inhabitants can be put in danger.
What signs indicate that a house needs to be restumped?
It is important to look for key signs that indicate a house needs to be restumped. If these signs are ignored, then the structure of the house can collapse partially or completely. Here are some signs you need to look for:
- Cracking can be seen on exterior brickwork.
- Flooring seems uneven or 'soft'.
- Cracks are appearing on interior walls.
- Windows and doors are not working properly.
Houses will show varying signs of stump dysfunction as they are all built differently, on different soil conditions. One method of checking stump condition is digging about 10 centimetres alongside the stump and scratching it to see its condition. If it scratches easily then this is a sign that the house needs to be restumped. Visible water damage on the stumps also indicates that they have become worn out, which is similarly bad.
How is restumping done?
Initially, you should check how level the flooring is. Uneven flooring indicates areas that need to be restumped. Additionally, the stumps must be physically checked for signs of damage. Following this, the house is raised slightly, and the stumps that need to be replaced are removed and replaced and other stumps are adjusted. Stumps are then replaced with galvanised steel or concrete. This offers several advantages over wooden stumps. The main one is that steel and concrete do not rot and are also not prone to termite infestations.
Restumping is a lengthy, hands-on process that requires careful coordination and foresight. It is best to consult professionals with experience in the industry to ensure that this job is done properly.
Share