Volunteering NI

Oh, Melbourne. How about a city that is just as famous for its coffee as it is for its weather, culture and history? Just to say, it’s always on the move. A story is hidden beneath the bustle and noise of trams or the conversation in the cafes along laneways. There’s an underpinning cost per foot to this story – I know, that’s not the most interesting topic. But stick with me. It’s much more interesting than it seems.

So, what’s underpinning? Imagine adding a tightening belt to pants which have gotten looser over the years. This is similar to what underpinning can do for buildings that sink or crack because the foundation beneath them no longer provides as much support as it did in previous years. Melbourne has a lot of mood swings and diverse soil types.

Imagine that you spend a lovely afternoon outside, only to find cracks in the house’s walls large enough for ants. Melbourne’s soil will do this to you, especially the kind with clay that shrinks or expands in response to moisture.

Not to worry! The underpinning will help. The underpinning will give your home the sturdy shoes it needs to withstand anything that comes its way.

Then, how does this happen? A few of their tricks will come in handy. A traditional method is to pour concrete into the base to strengthen it. This works like adding extra legs on a wobbly coffee table. A resin injection method is like something from a Sci-Fi movie. Someone thought up the idea of injecting glue into the earth to help bind soil.

Don’t forget the screw piles. While they might sound boring (pun not intended), they are giant screws which have been driven into stable soil. Like anchoring a house in bedrock.

What’s more, this process will give you peace-of-mind. Being reassured that your home has no intention of moving without notice can be very comforting.

A cool effect of Underpinning is the preservation of historical records. Melbourne is filled with gorgeous old buildings, which tell the stories of past decades. The links we have to our history could disappear if underpinning is not done. Because let’s be real, nobody wants to go to work in a Leaning Tower of Pisa.

It’s good news for all those eco-friendly people out there. By fixing what we have instead of demolishing and rebuilding, we actually do our part to help the environment. Mother Nature is given a respite as the landfills are less full and new constructions require fewer materials.

A person who is familiar with the underpinnings of a building can be a great asset. Every structure will have its unique quirks, just like that friend who insists his sandwich should always be cut in diagonal slices or “it won’t taste good.” If you’re looking for someone to really listen, before rushing in with solutions, then find someone that can do this.

The underpinning of the city’s buildings might not be worthy conversation-starters at your next dinner party (unless, that is, you don’t want people to look down into their phones), yet it still holds a great deal of interest. If you find yourself wandering the streets of Melbourne next, be sure to look below what’s visible.