Let’s talk about something that seems to always be lurking in the background but is often misunderstood–chemical underpinning. ssive structures. Is it safe for Mother Earth, though? helpful hints?

Imagine that you have an old building that is slowly sinking. What would you do? You’d better call in the cavalry. They inject different chemicals into the soil and the structure is stabilized. It sounds like magic but each spell has side effects. Chemicals like resins and epoxy can be a double edged sword.

Have you ever heard that nature can be vengeful? Sometimes these chemicals can seep into the groundwater. You’ve now got contaminated groundwater that is found miles away. You can imagine throwing a small pebble into a pond, and then watching the ripples. The domino effect is a frightening one. The contamination of groundwater is not a joke.

What’s an alternative? It seems safer to use physical materials such as concrete or steel, right? Not quite. All of these options have their own carbon footprint. It’s like replacing one problem with another.

I sometimes wonder if our lives are a constant balance act. It’s like walking on a tightrope above a pit filled with spikes. Maximize one thing, minimize another. The tightrope walker faces the same dilemma, even with chemical support. Some experts vouch for the latest eco-friendly resins. Others, however, raise a brow and question the long-term effects of such solutions. Who can blame them? The stakes are high.

Here’s an idea: What if, from the start, we reduced the need for underpinning? These are all important steps. It brings to mind the old saying, “an ounce is better than a pound” It’s about time we listened to these old sayings.