Do you find it difficult to store your belongings in your basement? Is your basement not high enough to walk comfortably? Is it impossible to consider it a living space? If you are facing the problem of limited space in your basement, do not consider buying a new property.
Buying a new home or apartment is very expensive. You will have to undergo the trouble of selling your current home at an attractive price and find a new home at affordable rates. Instead of spending your time and energy on searching for a larger home, you can make your current home bigger. How? Here’s the solution.
Basement Lowering – The Affordable Solution to your Space Problem
Basement lowering is a process that lowers the flooring of your basement and increases its height. Thus, allowing you to have a larger and more comfortable living and storage space. There are several other benefits to basement lowering such as:
- It strengthens the foundation
- It provides you with an opportunity to add floors to the structure
- It helps you to correct a structural problem
- It allows you to use your basement for rental purposes
How to Lower the Basement?
Basement lowering process can be achieved by any one of the following methods:
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Underpinning
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Bench-footing
It is a complex technique that involves excavating sections of earth under the footing of your home. Once the earth is removed, concreted blocks are poured. When the concrete dries, adjacent sections are removed and the same process is followed.
After all the sections are finished, the extra earth is removed and a new layer of concrete flooring is added.
Basement floor lowering with bench-footing involves excavation around the foundation and not under it. After excavating the soil, new foundation walls are built. This creates a bench-footing structure between the original foundation wall and the new floor.
How to choose a Basement Lowering Technique?
Do not get confused while choosing a basement lowering technique for your home. Here are a few useful tips to help you with it:
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The Strength of Foundation
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The Type of Soil
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The Space Factor
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The Neighbor Problem
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The Cost Issue
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Your Expectations
When the foundation of your home is not strong, it is advisable to avoid excavation under the footing. If you excavate under a weak foundation structure, there are high chances of a collapse. So, bench-footing technique will be of help to you in such a situation.
If the soil around your home is not stable, then it is not a wise decision to disturb it. In such a situation, excavating under the footing can cause damage to the foundation and ruin your home. Here, bench-footing technique is advisable.
Bench-footing reduces the square footage area of your basement. It is because the bench structure takes up a bit of a space. So, if you are looking for a basement lowering technique that ensures zero decrease in area, then underpinning is the best option for you.
If you share a common wall with a neighbor, you will need his/her permission before undertaking the underpinning process. It is because when you excavate the soil under the foundation, his/her building will also be affected. If your neighbor doesn’t permit you to lower your basement through underpinning, you are left with the only option of bench-footing.
Underpinning is costly because it involves risk. Also, precision is very important when it comes to working under the foundation. On the other hand, bench-footing technique can be finished quickly and involves lesser risk. And, so it is less expensive.
If you are looking for a strong technique that guarantees strengthening of your foundation structure, you must opt for underpinning technique. If the foundation is strong enough and doesn’t require any additional support, choose bench-footing technique.
Before you make any decision about choosing the basement lowering technique, you must consult a professional basement lowering contractor. He/she will help you in understanding the condition of the foundation and the soil around it. He/she will assist you in making an informed decision.
When it comes to lowering your basement and increasing the living area of any property, Pour Concrete is the best underpinning contractor in Toronto. Its services are not limited to underpinning. But, it also provides excellent wet basement waterproofing services. Call on 647-847-4009 or inquire online now.
Best of luck!