Purkelly have been stabilising properties for more than 45 years. We are expert in traditional underpinning and piled underpinning for existing buildings as well as piled new foundations and also contiguous piling for new basements.
We will always offer unbiased advice where there are viable alternative methods suitable for a particular contract.
We are expert in assessing and designing traditional underpinning and pad & beam solutions for damage caused by subsidence. Our service is tailored to the particular requirement of each client. Our underpinning service also extends to builders and developers who wish to impose additional loads on insufficient foundation or create new basement space beneath existing buildings.
Purkelly contracts range from bay windows to complete terraces, blocks of flats and commercial and public premises. Our service can include:
- solutions design and engineering drawings
- building regulations consent
- traditional, pad & beam underpinning
- new foundations, drainage and retaining wall construction
- complete superstructure repair and redecoration service
We have developed highly effective working methods over many years which enable us to complete underpinning contracts of any size and complexity both quickly and with excellent quality.
Clearly safety is a critical issue which is why Purkelly prepare Risk Assessments and Methods Statements for every contract which are strictly managed through to completion of the project.
In all contracts our teams are led by a thoroughly experienced manager and the same foreman is on site throughout the project. Most Purkelly foremen have been with the company for many years and have the integrity and experience necessary to perform this key on-site supervisory role to the highest standards.
Our site staff are fully aware of which aspects of the construction process need to be inspected and work within strict programmes to enable these inspections to be carried out effectively by Supervisory Officers and Local Authority inspectors without delaying the overall progress of the contract.
All staff are appropriately trained and qualified.
About traditional underpinning
The most common form of underpinning for residential property built on shrinkable clays. The technique also provides a root barrier which prevents roots from reaching vulnerable internal walls and causing further subsidence damage in future years.
After excavations are completed, and before concreting, our supervisory staff and the local authority officers inspect the work to establish that the correct stratum has been reached and the ground is free from the effects of tree root action.
About pad & beam underpinning
An economic method of underpinning, especially where a root barrier is not a critical issue. The system involves excavating to an approved formation level at key intervals along the wall. Mass concrete pads are then formed in the excavations followed by in-situ reinforced concrete beams either below the footings or within the underground portion of the walls to span between the bases and provide continuous support for the structure
