Basements are the most ignored spaces in many houses. They are mainly used for storage or as a spare room. However, there are numerous possibilities to use the basement space. Moreover, a solid foundation of the basement is crucial for the safety of the entire house. Basement underpinning is the process of strengthening and repairing foundations to extend the depth and width of basements. It is a highly technical job that requires specialized skills and knowledge. This guide will provide an overview of the techniques and benefits of basement underpinning.
Techniques of Basement Underpinning:
Various techniques exist to underpin a basement. The most common methods utilized by professionals are:
Traditional Underpinning: This method is also known as ‘mass underpinning’ and is commonly used where the basement walls are very deep or when it is necessary to remove the old foundation. It is a lengthy process and requires professional attention. In this process, a team digs under the existing foundation and creates a solid concrete foundation under the current one. Thus, the existing foundation is supported by a stronger base.
Piled Foundation Underpinning: In this process, steel or concrete piles are driven into the ground. These piles consist of heavy steel beams or columns extending from the base to the existing foundation. This technique is ideal for weak ground conditions.
Mini-Piled Foundation Underpinning: Mini-piled foundation underpinning utilizes small millimeter-sized drills to create a solid base foundation. This technique is ideal for underpinning impacted areas, small spaces, and when access is limited.
Benefits of Basement Underpinning:
Basement underpinning has significant benefits including:
Cost-Effective: Basement underpinning is a cost-effective method to gain a larger and functional basement space. It is relatively less expensive than buying a new house or extending an existing one.
Enhances Property Value: Underpinning improves the stability of the existing foundation and strengthens the basement walls. This process is an excellent way to enhance the overall value of the property.
Increases Living Space: Underpinning extends the space available for a family. A larger basement adds more rooms, which can be utilized for various purposes. This extra space is ideal for creating additional bedrooms, a home cinema, a home gym, or a fully equipped kitchen.
Increases Structural Stability: Underpinning strengthens the foundation, enhances the stability of the house and reduces the risk of a structural hazard.
Professional Basement Underpinning Services:
To ensure safe and effective basement underpinning, it is crucial to hire professional underpinning services. An experienced and skilled team of professionals can evaluate the foundation system and the ground conditions to identify the most effective underpinning techniques. They can also ensure the correct materials, tools, and machinery are used throughout the process. Professional services provide warranties ensuring peace of mind, in situations where the underpinning fails you are assured of compensation.
Conclusion:
Basement underpinning is an excellent solution to extend basement space and enhance the structural stability of an existing foundation. Underpinning is a technical process that requires specialized knowledge, skill, and equipment. The benefits of underpinning are numerous, including more functional living space, increased property value and structural stability. Professional underpinning services are a must for safety and success of the project. Contact a reliable underpinning company today for high-quality basement underpinning solutions.