Why Is Foundation Work So Important To Building Projects?

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The success of any building project ultimately relies on its foundations, and whilst this is practically a truism to any reputable builder, there is one rather infamous example of what happens if foundation work is inappropriate or inadequate.

In the UK, there are extensive building regulations covering foundation work, given how unsafe inadequate foundations can be to anyone living or working in the building in question.

One of the most infamous and bizarre demonstrations of the importance of foundations took place on 27th June 2009 at the Lotus Riverside residential apartment project in Shanghai, China.

At the time, Block 7, a 13-floor apartment complex was under construction but suddenly fell over, tragically taking the life of a construction worker but only just avoiding striking a building behind it.

What made the story so unusual was that the building did not break apart but literally fell on its side like a domino, something that was immediately suspected to be the result of a serious foundation issue.

This was confirmed a few days later by Shanghai Daily in a story that made international news due to the brazen disregard for basic construction protocol that led to the building’s collapse.

According to the South China Morning Post, the main foundation pilings were made from prestressed, precast concrete, which whilst common in Chinese construction were not suited for high-rise buildings such as Block 7.

This foundation work was poorly done with inadequate surveying of the building, particularly the excavation work done for an underground garage.

The earth that was moved was dumped into a nearby landfill next to a river creek. The weight of the earth caused the river bank to collapse and water was allowed to flow under the building.

This weakened the earth underneath the foundations, causing them to fail and the building to collapse.

This should not have happened and six people received prison sentences for causing a criminal major accident.

Why You Should Book A Kitchen Renovation For The Summer

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Having major work done on your house is both exciting and daunting in equal measure, which is why no homeowner is in a rush to book a renovation project, knowing how disruptive it is going to be to their lives. 

However, the best time to get a big refurbishment job is in the spring and summer, so now could be ideal to get in touch with kitchen fitters in your area if you want a new cooking space by autumn. 

The most obvious reason for the warmer months being better for renovation work is due to the fact that the weather is better. 

This means there are likely to be fewer disruptions to their work schedules due to snow, rain or wind. Bad weather can have a huge impact on projects, causing long delays and increased costs. 

It can also be very frustrating to miss deadlines, especially if you have to cook microwavable meals in your lounge and do the washing up in your bath for longer than you expected.

The warmer days also make it easier for work to get done outside, freeing up space in the house and meaning there is less dust and general mess to clean up afterwards. Dust, wood shavings, and other small debris can get into everything, so reducing this will mean you can enjoy your new kitchen fully sooner.

Another reason why summer is the best time to have a kitchen refitted is due to the longer daylight hours. 

By late June when it is the longest day of the year, the sun typically sets as late as 10pm, which means builders who want to get the work done quickly can stay much later than they would in the winter. 

Conversely, it can get dark around 4pm in December and January, which means they have to start packing their gear away in the mid-afternoon.