A Modern Repair Solution for Earthquake Damaged Buildings

Uretek structural resin injection offers a fast solution to relevel and repair earthquake damaged buildings in Christchurch NZ

A relatively modern remedial technique is coming to the attention of the owners of the many houses and other buildings in Christchurch, New Zealand, that have suffered structural damage from the recent disastrous earthquakes.

The need for rectification is urgent. The Earthquake Commission has requested that quotes be obtained and claims be lodged within the first three months.

This new solution is called the Uretek Method. It is one avenue that Christchurch householders and owners of other buildings are finding advantageous.

In principle it is very simple. It’s a unique and patented methods of returning on-ground structures to level.

Structural resin injection to repair earthquake damaged buildings

A multi-component mix of engineered structural resins is pumped into the foundation ground, using tubes through 16 mm holes.

Wherever possible the injection is done from outside the building. But when it is necessary for the work to be done from inside tiny 6 mm tubes are generally used.  They are most unobtrusive and can often be positioned in such places as beside skirting boards or through grout spaces between tiles.  

The resins mix with each other as they go into the ground. The mixture of resins expands and aggressively seeks out any voids, crevices and cracks in the ground to fill.

Any weak ground is compacted by the expansion, reducing the likelihood of future subsidence.

Sometimes this void filling and ground densification is all that is required. But more often than not re-levelling is also necessary.

Continued injection of the expansive resins then lifts the building footings back to their correct level. This process, called "Uretek Slab Lifting", is closely controlled by continual reference to laser level readings or similar monitoring.

As the sunken floor is raised back to level, cracks in walls usually close up, leaving only a small amount of patching, painting or repointing to complete the repair.

Doors and windows usually start to work properly again as ther building structure is squared up. Gaps between the floor and the bottom of skirting boards also usually disappear.

Uretek: proven in repairing earthquake damaged buildings

This amazingly simple-looking Uretek process has been saving time and money for both building owners and their insurers around the world for nearly 30 years. Now hopefully it will be able to achieve the same in the aftermath of the catastrophic earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand.

The URETEK Method was issued BRANZ Appraisal No. 698, and the Government Guidelines for building repair in Christchurch describe the Uretek method as suitable for re-levelling and re-supporting the Christchurch earthquake-damaged buildings.

www.uretek.co.nz/pages/earthquake-damage-repair.asp for further information.

Also see the next article : Earthquake-damaged home restored in three days

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