FOUNDATIONS, FOOTINGS & STUMPING
Foundations are the base of a building, including the underlying soil. Footings are the building structures that sit on this soil and distribute the weight. Footings can be built from stone, brick, concrete or timber. The footings of timber houses commonly include timber stumps.
There are areas of coastal acid sulphate soils within the City of Casey. Acid sulphate soils are harmful when they are disturbed, including by excavation, drainage or subsidence caused by development. They can cause significant structural damage to your property, as well as harming the environment. Subdivision and development in areas with acid sulphate soils is restricted under the Casey Planning Scheme. Seek advice from the City of Casey’s Site Assessment and Environmental Remediation Team. Learn more Agriculture Victoria, Victorian Resources Online, Coastal Acid Sulfate Soils available at http://vro.agriculture.vic.gov.au/dpi/vro/vrosite. nsf/pages/soil_acid_sulfate_soils Maintenance principles DO – Check under the floor for signs of water or damp, wood rot or pests (see pages 30 and 31) – Remove any rubbish to improve ventilation under the floor – Notice signs of bowing in external walls, frames that are not square or cracks beside chimneys. These may be signs that the footings or foundations are sinking or that stumps have decayed – Engage an experienced contractor to undertake repair work, which can include replacing individual stumps, wholesale restumping or underpinning of masonry walls
Things to avoid DO NOT
Do not attempt structural repairs without the required training – use an experienced contractor to address the cause of problems and undertake repair work
Tip for owners Prior to purchasing a heritage property, obtain a building and pest inspection. These reports can provide the starting point for planning maintenance and avoiding pest or structural problems.
The footings of timber houses commonly include timber stumps.
MAINTAINING YOUR HERITAGE PROPERTY
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