PCA offers free live webinar on underpinning and the alternatives
National trade body the Property Care Association (PCA) is hosting a free webinar on underpinning and the available alternatives.
Although considered a major issue in the past, a greater understanding of subsidence has led to a range of solutions to the problem – but the art of underpinning still has a key role to play.
Presented by Cormac Rooney the ‘To pin, or not to pin? Buildings on the move…’ webinar is open to PCA members and non-members.
Cormac began his early career in his teens doing underpinning and groundworks for his family business MJ Rooney Construction Ltd in the early 1990s, before qualifying as a Building Surveyor. He then began his professional career as a Surveyor, working on Project Managed Subsidence claims for UK loss adjuster Cunningham Ellis & Buckle.
Cormac then worked as a Site Manager and then Project Manager on large basement projects before re-joining MJ Rooney Construction, which has in recent years picked up a list of awards for its works in the basements and underpinning sector, including Ground Engineering Magazine Contractor of the Year.
In the webinar, Cormac will cover:
- The reasons for underpinning
- The catastrophic results when the works are not done properly from collapsed properties to loss of life.
- Detailed procedures that bring about safe and successful underpinning, including risks of unexploded bombs and underpinning below the water table.
- Details of the various types of underpinning and more cost-effective alternatives that are rarely used.
- Use of 3D-modelling and virtual reality to make the process more safe and efficient.
- Risks to basement structures from water ingress through underpinning and how to mitigate it
James Berry, PCA Technical Manager, said:
“The word subsidence struck fear into the hearts of surveyors and valuers in the 80s and 90s, and underpinning seemed to be everywhere.
“Collectively, a greater understanding and proportional response to buildings that move has developed over time, but foundations do still fail and subsidence is still affecting buildings.
“Basements are being created below existing buildings, new floors are added to walls that need better support, and some structures are built close to buildings with shallow footings.
“Underpinning still solves many problems.”
The ‘To pin, or not to pin? Buildings on the move…’ webinar takes place at 9am on Thursday, May 26.
It will offer participants the chance to learn more about subsidence investigations, building control approvals and the alternatives to underpinning.
The live session will also define exactly what underpinning is, when it is necessary and what can happen if it goes wrong.
It will give insight into the considerations needed before digging starts, party wall awards, the costs of underpinning and the impact of selecting the right contractor.
And advice on when subsidence investigations and structural surveys should take place, and at what stage of the project, will also be provided.
Participants can register at here.
Kindly shared by Property Care Association (PCA)
Main article photo courtesy of Pixabay
