What is Restumping?

In the past, many Australian homes were built on timber "stumps." In the colonial era, this was sometimes literally true, but the practice of using timber posts for foundation work in general became known as "stumping," whether the posts were cut from tree trunks or milled timber. Many native Australian trees hold up well against rot and termite damage, but even the best stumps eventually give way to rot, infestation, and/or movement. This is when you need to call on the services of a restumping specialist. What is restumping? How do you know when restumping is necessary?

What is Restumping?

Restumping, also often called reblocking, basically involves removing existing stumps and replacing them with new stumps. This is done by jacking up the area around the defective stumps and then lowering the floor joists back on to the new stumps and securing them in place. This alone is a complex process, but in order to ensure the house will be level and structurally sound when the job is completed, each new stump must be precisely positioned.

Rot resistant timbers such as Victorian Red Gum are still used for restumping, but most homeowners today opt for more expensive yet longer lasting concrete or galvanised steel and sometimes a combination of the two. Aside from having a longer lifespan than timber stumps, these types of stumps can be more firmly and accurately secured to their bearers.

How Do I Know When Restumping is Necessary?

Some of the signs that your house may need restumping include:

• Creaking floors may be an indication that the floors are no longer level or that some stumped have settled.
• "Spongy" feeling floors are a sign that stumps have settled or rotted and that the bearers have separated from the stumps.
• Cracks in walls may indicate that one side of the house is "sinking."
• Doors and windows that stick may be sticking because their frames are no longer square and plumb. This is an indication that the structure around them is no longer level.

If you're buying an older fibro or weatherboard home, chances are it is a stumped home. Before you decide to buy, get under the house and check for rot or termite infestation or hire a professional to do so for you. In most cases, if there is damage to one stump, there will be damage to more. Restumping can be an expensive process and in many cases, some cosmetic work will have to be done in the home afterwards, since the lifting and tilting of the house causes cracks in plaster and other minor damage.

Choosing a Restumping Contractor

Because restumping affects the structural integrity of the entire house, it is important to choose a restumping contractor carefully. Get at least three quotes and insist that the quotes are detailed, including the materials that are going to be used, the number of stumps that are going to be replaced and other details. You also want the contractor's guarantee that the house will be brought back to level when the job is completed, that all necessary building and safety regulations will be adhered to, and that the builder will obtain council approval before commencing work. Finally, ask each contractor for at least two references from satisfied former customers. A reputable and experienced restumping contractor will have at least two former clients who will happily vouch for them.

An easy way to get your restumping quotes is to use our HI Pages Get a Quote service. Simply fill out the form in as much detail as you can and submit.