What does 'Underpinning' mean?

Chapter 20: What a Property Survey Really Means

"... property on the market. It doesn't mean that you won't need to be getting out the filler yourself next year! Movement to expect in all older properties which have not been underpinned The clay beneath the property contracts during a dry summer causing the property..."

"... in one direction. If it is subsiding it will need to be underpinned. Its messy but not expensive as long as the property is covered by insurance and in almost all cases houses are because subsidence is a common phenomena and therefore mortgage lenders insist on it. If you really like a..."

"... and therefore mortgage lenders insist on it. If you really like a property and it is subsiding, buy it! The subsidence will be rectified under insurance and you will have an underpinned property which adds value when selling on. You should also remember that just because the..."

"... on. You should also remember that just because the property is not subsiding this year, it may do so at any time in the future. Ironically many buyers shy away from properties that have been underpinned because they are worried about subsidence! Instead they should see it as an asset. ..."

"... color="#ff0000">underpinning for no good reason, however, is not advisable. If a property has a natural up-down movement that has not affected it over the last few decades caution should be drawn to messing with it. Although it may stabilise your property, if you are in a terrace it will then be out of synch with its neighbours who are still moving. This can cause wall cracking and roof..."

"... the property where the roots are sucking water constantly out of the soil A concrete foundation is inserted underneath the property or parts of the property to halt the movement. This is known as underpinning - Bulging Walls - There is one other type of movement. With all that..."