A solid foundation for the future

With more than 30 years of knowledge and experience in foundations, Brefu Funderingstechnieken B.V. is an established name in the construction industry. The company has a strong focus on foundation repair and especially in confined spaces and under difficult circumstances. For example, the foundation specialist is currently involved in large-scale foundation repair at many locations in Rotterdam...

"In Rotterdam, many pre-war buildings suffer from poor foundations," knows Marco Poppelaars, director-owner of Brefu Funderingstechnieken B.V. "Partly due to the lowering of the groundwater level, pile foundations are plagued by wood rot. Replacement is necessary here, but also impactful for building owners and residents. We often work on behalf of housing associations, investors, developers, contractors and private individuals, whom we try to relieve in every possible way. In many cases we take the entire process off their hands. From the first conversation at the kitchen table to soil research, drawing and calculation work, permit applications, demolition and groundwork, foundation repair and concrete work. A personal approach, quality and continuous innovation are central to our policy. Moreover, we regularly work together in construction teams."

Most commonly used: the table construction

The most common repair method used is the so-called table construction, Poppelaars says. "This involves removing the existing first floor, then installing new piles and a new concrete floor. So the old foundation remains in place. The new concrete floor will be structurally connected through recesses (cutouts of about 50 x 30 cm) in the existing load-bearing walls. Next, the house will very slowly come to rest on the "table" and start releasing loads to the new piles. After several months, the house will rest entirely on the new foundation."

Approximately 9 kilometers of pipe pile

But there are also situations where the existing foundation needs to be replaced. "Right now, for example, we have a big job, in a construction team with Jurriëns. Where we take care of the foundation repair, Jurriëns is responsible for the finishing," Poppelaars says. "It concerns an assignment for Woonstad on Rotterdam Katendrecht, with a total of 30 row houses. We are replacing the existing pile foundation with a concrete foundation with internally driven tube piles. In total, we are processing approximately 9 km of tubular pile! On average, we operate at 12 locations simultaneously in Rotterdam."

Drilling and piling techniques

For foundation repair, Brefu Funderingstechnieken B.V. works mainly in Rotterdam and the surrounding area. "Piling and drilling work we perform nationwide," said Poppelaars. "Both in the Netherlands and in Belgium. As a foundation specialist, we have the following drilling and piling techniques in house: driven tubular piles, pressed piles, casing rotary piles and screw injection piles. Here, too, clients are assured of total service. From complete engineering to geotechnical advice, soil and demolition work, remediation (if necessary), bracing and concrete work. In order to carry out the work properly and quickly, we have a work crew of approximately 45 people, 24 of whom are our own people and 21 permanent contract workers." Outside of foundation repair, one can contact Brefu Funderingstechnieken B.V. for all common piling and drilling jobs. Also for advice. 

Help build quality foundations?

"As an organization, we are still growing," Poppelaars emphasizes. "Moreover, our order book for the coming months is well filled. That is why we are still looking for motivated employees. From executives to project managers, calculators and work planners, who want to realize quality foundations together with us. In the broadest sense of the word."