In this article, we want to provide you with comprehensive information about basement underpinning. So stay with us.
For this purpose, we must first know the basement underpinning and its benefits.
What is basement Underpinning?
Basement underpinning is one of the most popular yet a bit complex home improvements that professional home renovation companies offer.
The purpose of basement underpinning is to lower the depth of an existing foundation by pouring new footings ABOVE the current ones. The result of underpinnings is stable construction below grade.
Understanding the foundation of a house will help you understand underpinning.
There are several ways to construct a footing. Though the footing is the lowest part of a house, it is responsible for distributing the weight of the entire structure on the ground.
It is common for footings to have wide measurements of 16-24 inches and thickness measurements of 6-16 inches. If the footings fail, the entire structure above could shift, causing significant structural problems.
A foundation at the top of the footing is responsible for transferring home weight below the frost line. Foundations must resist soil pressure to avoid cave-ins. Most foundations are actually basement walls.
The purpose of basement underpinning is to extend a footing into the ground further to become a foundation within a structure resting upon a newly poured footing under the existing footing.
We can summarize basement underpinning as the act or process of lowering the depth of a foundation by pouring new footings BELOW the existing ones so that the foundation can be lowered from a height.
A basement can be underpinned in two ways: dig down to the footing, pour mortar beneath it, and then dig back up to the footing. Basement underpinning can add 3-5 feet to the basement’s height.
Why You Should Consider Basement Underpinning
It is common for foundation cracks to result from heaving, which occurs when the soil settles or moves, causing the foundation to crack. This happens as the water seeps into the ground surrounding the foundation, causing erosion over time.
If your foundation is not maintained correctly, it can sink through cracks in its walls or floor, allowing water into your basement. If your foundation is not properly maintained, it may sink over time due to the soil weight around it.
You can consider several options if you have a cracked foundation. The simplest option is to do nothing and live with it. However, this is not recommended since it will cause further damage to your foundation.
As mentioned, basement underpinning involves excavating some of the dirt under your home and replacing it with concrete piers or columns. This replaces the dirt under your foundation and stabilizes it so it won’t crack in the future.
Depending on where your house is built on a slope, it can be not easy to find a level spot to lay your foundation. In some cases, the ground may not be completely level, so your foundation may not be solid, leading to structural problems in your basement and other parts of the house.
If your basement has been flooded, you may need to have it underpinned. Underpinning is a method for strengthening a foundation so that it will be more stable in the future. Doing this will save money and time over the long run by preventing extensive foundation repair costs down the road.
Benefits of Underpinning your Basement
Underpinning your house foundation can serve several purposes, such as stabilizing it from structural damage or adding an extra living room. Here are five other reasons why underpinning in homes is a good idea.
1: By constructing your home, you will be able to access it easily
Whenever you do any construction in your basement, you are likely to discover the hidden mechanics of your house. This allows your home to be inspected, updated, and repaired easily. If you live in an older house, underpinning makes it easy to update your house’s plumbing, electrical wiring, and even insulation systems.
The basement underpinning process can also be used to upgrade your basement’s waterproofing system to further protect the basement against leaks in the future. By investing in underpinning now, you can save money later.
2: You can increase the height of the ceiling and the lighting in general
In older homes, basements often have low ceilings, making you feel cramped. By removing unnecessary walls and renovating your basement, you can create a room that is more appealing to live in. You can remove any unnecessary walls and create whatever space you wish. You can create a games room, a home theater, or perhaps even an additional bedroom with your new basement.
3: It eliminates foundational structural problems
Several foundations suffer structural damage because of extreme weather conditions, soil type, or the work of inexperienced structural contractors. By underpinning basement walls, you can prevent future structural damage to your home and stabilize it. In addition to saving you money in the future, this will also increase the value of your home if you decide to sell it.