Deciding to build a granny flat is simple, designing and building the extension can be a lot harder. You'll have a lot of questions to answer along the way. Can you use a general contractor or is is better to use one who has built a lot of granny flats before? Is a template design better than a customised one? Should you let the person who'll live in the flat have a say in what it looks like? Luckily, I'm here to help. My name is Maria. We moved my Mum into a purpose-built granny flat last year, so I've had to answer all these questions and more. I thought it'd be useful for other people to see how we managed the process, so here we are — get reading!
Four Central Tips for Building a Durable and Reliable Pile Foundation
Pile foundations can be beneficial in commercial, industrial and residential construction. You should consider this building option if you are dealing with a structure which requires a deep foundation. The use of piles will reduce the need for a lot of excavation. Consequently, you will reduce the labour demands and the time required for your construction work. Pile foundations can also be advantageous for building in unstable soils like sand. If you are interested in using piles in your upcoming project, use the tips outlined for a durable structure.
Prepare an Analysis
Designing and building the perfect pile foundation can be challenging if you do not understand the ground and the soil. If you would like to create piles which can support the weight of your structure, you must remember that the ground plays a critical role. Simply speaking, the piles will act as a bridge by transferring the building weight into the ground. If the ground cannot support the weight exerted by the structure, the building will fail prematurely. Therefore, commission a soil investigation and analyse the reports on the properties of the construction ground before moving on to construction.
Compare Pile Types
There are different building materials which can be used in piling construction. However, they might not all be suitable for your project. Therefore, you should conduct an evaluation and comparison of the options before making your decision. One of the most popular options to consider is concrete. Concrete has favourable properties in terms of strength, durability and versatility. Moreover, you can choose precast piles or opt for cast-in-place piles. Other choices include steel, wood and even plastic.
Account for Load Factors
The loads imposed by the building will determine the level of stress imposed on the foundational members. Therefore, if you do not calculate the exerted weight with care, your foundation might experience premature failure. Simply speaking, if a pile is forced to bear more weight than it can withstand, your structural base will be unstable. Therefore, you should take into account all factors which will contribute to the load, including the building materials, loads from usage and environmental distress.
Drill the Ground Deeply
Finally, you should drill into the ground deeply when installing your pile foundation, especially if you are building on unfavourable grounds. Deep drilling will allow you to establish the pile in the underlying stable soil. This practice is beneficial when dealing with sandy ground which lacks cohesion at the top. Also, you should consider this technique if the area experiences frost.
For more information, reach out to a piling contractor near you.