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Basement Lowering is a lengthy process, but it has great results in the end. You can convert unusable space in your basement to a functional, livable space.
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You may have observed that the demand for basement lowering in Toronto has increased in recent years. There are several reasons for this. Like many others, you might be considering basement lowering because you want to maximize available living space instead of moving out, especially considering the growing market price of houses.
It is also possible that you want to improve your house's structural integrity and stability, or you are using it as a first step to enabling basement waterproofing, which would help you fight water damage.
Get a Free QuoteBasement lowering or underpinning is a very extensive process. Many people who want the service often hesitate because they worry about how long it will take or fear the basement lowering cost may be beyond their budget. But this is not necessarily so if you know and hire the right people.
For instance, At Royal Work Corp, we endeavor to save you time and money by making the whole basement lowering process as seamless and efficient as possible. We offer free estimates and are willing to meet with you to draw up a free quote.
We also work fast and professionally, so you don’t have to worry about the process taking an annoyingly long time. Additionally, Royal Work Corp. offers one of the lowest rates you would find in Toronto. But the most important thing is that we would be with you every step of the way, answering questions, addressing concerns, and ensuring that the work meets your satisfaction.
Basement lowering (sometimes called basement underpinning) is the process of removing soil below a crawlspace or concrete slab, excavating the area to create a lower support level, and then adding new concrete footers, walls, and floors to extend the depth or reinforcing an unstable foundation.
This worthwhile home improvement is extensive and may damage your house’s foundation if not done correctly. It requires professional expertise in foundation walls, excavation, footings, and concrete floor replacement. Royal Work Corp. will carefully evaluate the foundation and surrounding area to determine job and building code requirements related to excavation depth, plumbing, electrical re-routing, and concrete work.
Underpinning is a basement-lowering process in which the soil under the original foundation of your house is carefully removed. Like most basement-lowering techniques, the main aim of underpinning the basement is to increase its height. To do this, our workers carry out lots of excavation work using either conveyor belts or wheel barrels, depending on the access to the basement. The process is technical and has to be carried out by professionals who will ensure that the underpinning is done in a way that retains the house’s structural integrity while the process is ongoing.
The process of underpinning or basement lowering is done for several reasons: A homeowner may want to convert a crawl space or unfinished basement floor into a livable space, and the size or basement ceiling might be too small. A newly finished basement would require additional support, and the basement lowering process can give you extra space while underpinning can increase your load capacity.
With the initial evaluation complete and your goals established, you can bring in an engineer or an architect to design the new space. These experts will draw plans that detail moving and extending load-bearing walls required with this project. They will submit stamped drawings to the local municipality to obtain the necessary building permits before any work begins.
After plans are complete and the permits are issued, the engineers must prepare the site for construction. Furnace connections must be re-routed to move all ductwork and equipment out of the way. The next phase requires technicians to install temporary supports or vertical jacks to hold the home or commercial building in place while the underpinning is being done. Wooden boards or steel beams are used to disburse the structure’s weight and are removed once the project is complete.
There are several methods for completing the lowering process, depending on the project’s purpose. The Traditional Mass method is used for shallow underpinning. In this instance, the soil underneath the foundation isn’t strong enough to support the home, and the weak soil is excavated and replaced with mass concrete.
This procedure provides both strength and a more efficient distribution of weight. The Beam and Base method utilizes the traditional mass base but incorporates concrete beams, and these are constructed underneath the concrete base to spread the load evenly for better support. A third method called Mini-piled underpinning allows the structure to rest on the stable ground 5 to 15 meters below the current footers. Piles are constructed and cased in steel, and the 15 cm to 30 cm piles are driven into pre-drilled holes to rest on more stable ground.
The fourth and more aesthetic purpose of basement underpinning requires removing the existing concrete floor. The soil is excavated in sections filled with concrete, and small gaps are left between the old and new concrete. Non-shrink grout is used to fill the area in each section.
Regardless of the basement underpinning type, once the process is completed, you can fix the old plumbing problems with new plumbing installed. Our experts will now install a waterproofing system to keep the area dry before adding a waterproofing membrane to prevent water infiltration from the outside.
The exposed foundation walls are then backfilled. It’s now time to waterproof the interior of the basement. An internal weeping tile system is placed around the entire perimeter of the room, below floor level. This drainage pipe will capture groundwater and re-route it to a newly installed sump pump that will safely discharge outside. A layer of gravel covers the entire floor area and will provide a secure base for the new concrete floor.
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Although there is a cost, basement underpinning might be essential and worth the investment. Things happen from time to time that cause the foundation to become less stable, and underpinning can help save your home.
There are many possible causes for this, including the natural deterioration of the foundation as a house age, as well as poor workmanship, damage from other repairs, climate change, soil change, and events such as a flood or an earthquake. You can save your basement against flooding.
The foundation of a building tends to suffer natural deterioration as the house ages, as well as poor artistry, damage from other repairs, climate change, soil change, and events such as a flood or an earthquake. You can save your basement against flooding.
Basement Lowering is structurally safer than adding an addition to the house, which places additional strain on the foundation. These events may cause the foundation to shift, rendering it incapable of adequately supporting the house. With the basement lowering, you can avoid making your home more structurally unstable.
Underpinning is used to increase the amount of living space on your property. It's increasingly used to obtain extra square footage, particularly in older homes.
Many older homes were never designed to utilize the basement for residential purposes. Basements were only used for storage, such as coal storage, oil tanks, or produce chill cellars. Basement lowering makes your basement more than just a storage facility but a cozy living space.
If you need more space but don't want to move, underpinning is an excellent option. Underpinning is a great choice to consider when looking for a way to add the additional room you require, and the potential uses for this extra space are virtually limitless.
You can use an underpinning basement for a spare bedroom, office, playroom, entertainment room, or in-law suite. Many homeowners are now using underpinning to build an apartment they can rent out as a secondary source of income.
Basement lowering is the process of excavating the space beneath an existing foundation and adding a new foundation at a lower elevation. Homeowners usually perform this procedure to create additional living space in a home, such as a basement suite. Basement underpinning boosts the value of your home and increases the amount of living space in your home.
To serve our customers better we have now expanded our services to these areas:
All the answers you need to know about basement lowering
Let's TalkThe short answer is yes; you can lower your basement floor. However, it would be best if you considered many factors before deciding to lower your basement floor. You want to know the structural integrity of your house and the proximity of the house to your neighbors to avoid undermining their properties and risking damage payment.
How low and spacious you want your basement suite to be will also play a key role when deciding what technique to use. Fortunately, Royal Work Corp. provides free consultation and estimates, so you don't have to make guesses. You can get a professional opinion that would help you make a beneficial choice.
In addition to basement lowering, we also carry out the following procedures:
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