If you’re a homeowner dealing with slippery foundation issues, it’s likely you’ve encountered terms like basement underpinning or piers. These seemingly mysterious terms are simply ways to repair and restore your home’s foundation. When neglected, foundational issues can wreak havoc, leaving behind telling signs like fractures in walls, creaky floors, and structural compromise.
Sometimes, a simple repair just won’t cut it. That’s where advanced techniques like basement underpinning come in. By installing supportive structures beneath your home’s foundation, you can prevent catastrophic failures and keep your most valuable asset – your home – safe and secure.
What Is Basement Underpinning?
Ever wondered what it would be like to be taller?
With basement underpinning, you basically give your home a height boost. Piers or concrete beams are installed deep under your foundation, and your once-buried footing becomes a fresh new basement floor. This process makes your home tower a little higher and gives new strength to your foundation.
Underpinning breathes life into walls once earmarked for closure, channeling vitality towards strengthening foundations before embarking on refurbishments, reinforcing and guaranteeing unwavering support to existing dwellings, with the added bonus of a taller home and high ceilings.
The Basement Underpinning Process
Avoid the risks of a structurally unsound home by bringing in the pros for basement underpinning. When experienced professionals take on the job, you can rest assured that tested methods will be employed to safely and efficiently lift the foundation, flush out debris, and replace it with reinforced barriers for peace of mind.
Steps Involved in Basement Underpinning
1. Inspection and Assessment
Hire an experienced foundation repair specialist to thoroughly inspect your basement and assess the extent of work needed to determine the best underpinning solution. Your contractor will help you obtain necessary permits and approvals from local authorities.
2. Site Preparation
Before starting the project, you will need to clear the basement area of any stored items.
All utilities such as water, electricity, and gas will be safely disconnected or rerouted from the basement.
3. Excavation
The basement floor is excavated in stages. Contractors will dig underneath your existing footings in small sections at a time (usually 4 to 5 sections) to prevent structural instability.
4. Installation
New foundations will be created beneath the existing footings. Depending on the type of underpinning, this step could involve:
- Pouring concrete to create new footings.
- Installing piers, steel, or concrete beams to support the structure during excavation.
- Creating a new concrete slab or strengthening the existing foundation.
5. Waterproofing and Drainage
If you choose to, an underpinning project is a great chance to Install or upgrade drainage systems and waterproofing membranes on the exterior walls and around the new foundations to prevent moisture problems.
6. Backfilling and Compaction
The excavated area around the new foundations will be backfilled with gravel or crushed stone and then compacted in layers to ensure stability and minimize settling.
7. Clean Up
Disconnected utilities will be restored, ensuring they are properly connected to the new basement structure. Finally, any basement finishes or structural elements that were removed or affected during the underpinning process will be repaired or replaced.
It’s crucial to engage experienced professionals for each stage of the underpinning process to ensure safety, structural integrity, and compliance with building regulations.
4 Types of Underpinning for Basement Foundation Repair
Sometimes it takes a bit of creative genius to repair certain basement foundations. Here are four different underpinning solutions for basement lowering.
1. Mass concrete underpinning
This involves pouring concrete under the existing foundation to increase its depth and width. It’s like giving your foundation a strength boost.
2. Beam and base underpinning
Steel or concrete beams are installed under the foundation and then supported by a concrete base. Picture your foundation getting a high-five from a beefy concrete slab.
3. Mini-piled underpinning
This uses small diameter piles or piers drilled deep into the ground to transfer the load to stable soil or bedrock. If your basement had a cheerleading squad, it would be mini-piles.
4. Expanding resin injection
A special resin is injected into the soil under the foundation, which then expands to compact and strengthen the soil. Imagine your foundation getting a fancy foam latte to perk it up.
A professional with expertise in foundation repair can assess your situation and recommend the most effective solution. Reach out to Crossroads Foundation Repair for affordable and lasting repairs.
When Is Basement Underpinning Necessary?
When it comes to your home’s structural health, recognizing the signs of needed underpinning is crucial. If you ignore the warning signs, it can lead to further damage and put your home at risk.
Here are some telltale signs to watch out for:
- Cracks in walls or floors: If you notice cracks wider than 1/4 inch or cracks that are growing, it could indicate foundation settlement.
- Uneven or sloping floors: If your basement floor looks like a skatepark ramp, it’s a red flag for foundation issues.
- Bowing or leaning walls: Walls that are tilting or bulging inward could be a sign of excessive lateral pressure from soil expansion.
- Sticking doors and windows: If your basement doors or windows are suddenly playing hard to get, it might mean your foundation has shifted.
- Water intrusion: Moisture seeping through cracks or gaps in your basement walls or floor, which could compromise the foundation over time.
4 Benefits of Basement Underpinning
A home that’s well-suited for the test of time demands sturdy foundations. Here are a few benefits you get from basement underpinning.
1. Improved Structural Integrity
The most obvious benefit of basement underpinning is that it improves your home’s structural integrity. By transferring the weight of your house to stable soil or bedrock, underpinning ensures your foundation is properly supported and can withstand the test of time.
2. Increased Property Value
Underpinning your basement can also increase your property value. A home with a stable, properly reinforced foundation is more attractive to potential buyers and can command a higher price on the market.
3. Prevention of Further Damage
As a homeowner, it’s essential to prioritize your property’s foundation health. By recognizing the signs of foundation issues and addressing them promptly, you can avoid costly renovations and ensure a safe and sturdy living space for years to come.
4. Aesthetic Improvement
A lowered basement means you get higher ceilings. This is a bonus in the aesthetics department that makes your rooms appear bigger without having to spend more.
FAQs
Call Up Crossroads for A Basement Upgrade
Basement underpinning is a straightforward and lasting solution to foundation problems. But the process requires specialized expertise to get the job done right. From determining the right type of underpinning for a home to excavating without causing further damage to the foundation, you’ll get the most out of underpinning when you work with expert contractors.
Whether you’re considering basement underpinning as a foundation repair solution or you just like the idea of increasing the space in your home without extensive renovations, Crossroads has got you covered.
At Crossroads Foundation Repair, we have teams of dedicated experts with years of extensive experience fixing homes with long-lasting solutions. No matter what problems you’re facing with your basement walls and foundation, we help you figure out the right way to solve them– without breaking the bank.
Call us today for a FREE inspection.
