by DJ Baker | 20 Jan, 2016 | Blog
First time home ownership can be challenging when you have no experience in the process involved in home inspections and the many issues surrounding it. If you are like so many people out there who are interested in buying your first home we recommend that you consult an expert to help you go through even aspect of a house you are considering before making a offer. Aside from asking how old the house is, it is fairly important to inspect the property to make sure it aligns with all the specifications you are looking for in a home. To get you started, we have rounded up a list of 10 things you can consider before becoming a homeowner. 1. Exterior First things first, check the outside of the house and make sure it is both structurally sound by checking for cracks in the outer walls and that all parts are in working condition including the roof, gutters, water drainage, walkways, driveways, landscaping, deck, and porch. If large cracks are found then foundation damage may be the cause. Consider an inspection by an experienced restumping specialist and consider the cost of restumping the home into the price you are willing to pay for a new home. 2. Electrical Panel Imagine a home without electricity and you may as well be living in a tent. Having an easy to access electrical panel that is well organised and clean is a priority. The electrical panel must be clean, labeled and the wires must be organised. If there are loose wires hanging around have it checked with an electrician to avoid...
by DJ Baker | 10 Nov, 2015 | Blog
When it comes to replacing damaged or old house stumps, there are different options that you can consider and not all will suit everyone. This can be based on where you live and the type of house you own. The first decision when faced with a house stump replacement project is to choose the type of stumps that will be most suitable for your house. Typically the two options are timber stumps or concrete stumps. Reblocking With Timber Stumps One of the main benefits of timber stumps are that they can be the cheaper option. Treated timber can also be more effective in wet conditions when compare to the other alternative, which are concrete stumps. When it comes to the disadvantages with timber stumps, it is that their life expectancy is really only about 20 years. This is due to the fact that they are a natural material that, like all natural materials, break down over time. Reblocking With Concrete Stumps Option two when it comes to house stump replacement is concrete stumps. These are made with the use of steel as well, to provide extra support and often to provide the most secure connection to the house itself. Generally speaking, concrete stumps will last indefinitely, and on flat blocks will only deteriorate if there is a lot of dampness, which can corrode the metal parts, or if there is a lot of vibration in the ground. Professional Restumping Advice The contractor that you use should be able to advise you with which type of stump replacement will best suit your home. Other factors that can influence the decision...
by DJ Baker | 29 Sep, 2015 | Blog
Reblocking or restumping your home is a huge work which requires a professional team to handle the process. Restumping is when old timber stumps are removed from underneath your home and are replaced with a stronger supporting stump having a firm foundation at home is the key to a long lasting renovation. A trusted restumping or reblocking professional will ensure the job meets the standards of quality workmanship and maximise the investment you’ve put into your home. When do you know your house needs restumping or reblocking? You may notice your floors sloping; doors are getting harder to open and crack form on the walls of your homes. These are signs that your house needs restumping. If you’re not sure, it is better to seek for professional help. An expert reblocker from our team can perform an on-site assessment to determine the extent of the problem and will suggest the best solution to fix it. Underpinning Underpinning is the process of restoring walls that have been damaged heavily due to the existing condition of a weak foundation. This involves digging under an existing strip footing to measure the depth of the damage. When this issue is identified, new concrete will be inserted beneath the old foundation to strengthen the soil and provide a solid footing so that the walls and floors will return to their original levels. Will reblocking cause damage? No two homes are the same. Generally, reblocking addresses all issues within the home with minimal problems. However, in a small percentage of homes, reblocking can result in small, internal cracking. This cracking is cosmetic...
by DJ Baker | 18 Feb, 2014 | Blog
House restumping and foundation repair is one of the best things that a home owner can do in Australia. As your home ages, land movements and wear will slowly begin to cause subside of the structure. As time passes, the stump in support of the home gets weaker and gives way to the slight sinking of your home. How this is usually most noticeable is by comparing pictures of the level of your floors, windows, and doors perhaps 2 years ago with those taken today. The solution to this issue is usually simply lifting up the home and re leveling the ground to fit the new position of the building. This isn’t as simple as it sounds though. Almost 99% of the time, a professional foundation repair technician is required for the job. The issue that many of our clients have faced in the past with house restumping and foundation repair work being done on their property is that they end up not checking the testimonials or the credibility of the services they hire. The servicemen hired for the task do a sub-par job of it and simply get it all done in a rush. With work of this nature that deals with the future strength and support of your family home or commercial premises, the last thing one would want is to have it collapse due to simply opting for the cheaper, low-quality servicemen for the job. However, when you trust DJBaker and Son with your work, you can completely rest and know in the back of your mind that a job well done on the house restumping...
by DJ Baker | 16 Jan, 2014 | Blog
Experience For this sort of house repair you really should look for a company that has been around for a long time and has years and years of experience. Patching a wall, building a cupboard or installing a kitchen can be done by a new company and probably done really well but when it comes to something as important as house foundation repair you want the best. You want a company that is proven. How good would it be if you could get a father and son team who have been in the industry for over 40 years. A team who have worked on every type of property and fixed every type of problem. Guarantee For this sort of work you need a company that provides a 7 year Guarantee. A guarantee provides peace of mind and means that the Reblocking Company will ensure their very best service and provide only the very best products. In addition a financial guarantee needs to be put in place for the protection of the client – make sure the company you deal with has this! Insurance Public Liability Cover is a must and only the reputable foundation repair companies will have this in place. Safety This is a no brainer but a lot of people do not realize that restumping a house is hazardous work – you want to know that it is being done in a safe and secure manner. Ask your Reblocking Company about their safety record. Skill Ask to speak to old client, look at testimonies for the company you choose. You need to know you are getting the...
by DJ Baker | 16 Dec, 2013 | Blog
Your home is where is spend your best time with your family and therefore it is of paramount importance that your home should not only be invitingly and functional by also be safe and secure from every point of view. The strength of your house depends largely on the foundation it rests on. A stronger foundation means a more durable house which can resists the perils of natural forces. In every part of the world the buildings and houses are constructed keeping in view the climatic and weather conditions that are prevalent in a particular region. The forces of nature can pose problems any time and have the most devastating effect on your house. Various techniques are used in different parts of the world to secure the houses depending on the nature of built of the house. In most tropical countries the houses are usually raised on the stilts. However countries like Australia where we frequently experience torrential rains with loosening and shifting of soil, the houses are built on stumps. These stumps form the foundation or the base of the house. Stumps can be made from various materials like wood, steel or concrete. Wooden or timber stumps are the most cost effective solution especially for house made up of wood. Concrete stumps are stronger than but not as economical as timber stump. Steel stumps are said to sometimes cause the swaying of house therefore its use is quiet limited. The stumps should be frequently inspected to ensure their proper health. Continual negligence in that case could lead to a significant damage to your house. The expected life of...
