In this article, we explore resin injection vs. concrete underpinning, the traditional form of foundation support, helping you choose the right solution for your property.
Why Resin Injection Doesn’t Work Long-Term - and Why concrete Underpinning (traditional method) Is Worth It
Resin Injection: The Quick Fix with Long-Term Risks
Resin injection is often marketed as a fast, non-invasive way to lift sunken sections of a home’s foundation. In some situations – like lifting external concrete paths or driveways – it can be a helpful solution. But when it comes to stabilising your actual house, especially on reactive clay soils, the results are rarely long-lasting.
We’ve seen it first-hand: a quick resin job might hide the symptoms, but it doesn’t fix the problem underneath.
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No building permits. Most resin jobs are done without permits, which can complicate future resale.
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Limited licensing. Many resin operators only hold a DB-L (Limited) licence, which restricts them to sub-floor work.
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No engineering oversight. Work is often done without structural assessment or soil testing.
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Temporary results. We’ve had to return to properties after failed resin jobs to do the proper underpinning – sometimes just months later.
It’s easy to sell a fast solution – but it’s much harder to stand by it when problems reappear.
When Resin Injection Can Be Useful
In the right circumstances, resin injection has its place. For example:
Lifting uneven concrete driveways or paths
Non-structural cosmetic lifting
Temporary fixes in low-risk areas
But these are very different scenarios from stabilising a house. Even in those situations, it should be made clear to the homeowner that results may not be permanent – especially if underlying soil movement continues.
concrete Underpinning: Proven, Engineered and Built to Last
At Fred R. Heimann Co. Pty. Ltd., we specialise in traditional underpinning – a method that’s been used for decades because it works. It’s not a quick fix, but it’s the right fix.
We hold a DB-U (Unlimited) licence, meaning we’re fully qualified to do structural work on homes.
Every job is engineer-designed, with soil testing, pier depth calculations, and building permits.
Work is inspected at key stages, and everything is documented for your peace of mind.
This becomes especially important when selling your home. If a pre-purchase inspection shows signs of historical movement, buyers want to know that the repair work was done properly – and legally.
For homeowners wondering what a proper underpinning job actually costs – and how long it should take – check out our detailed blog on Foundation Repairs in Melbourne & Geelong: Costs, Timeframes & What to Expect.
We’ve Fixed What Others Couldn’t
We’ve seen first-hand the damage done by quick fixes. In several cases, we’ve had to go in after resin injection has failed – with cracking returning and movement worsening.
While resin injection offers quick, non‑invasive results, concrete underpinning remains the traditional, proven approach.
Need Real Structural Repairs? Let’s Talk
Feel free to reach out by filling our Contact Form and we’ll get back to you with our thoughts – no pressure, no sales pitch. Just straight answers from a company that’s been doing this for generations.