Underpinning Services: Looking to increase the living space in your home? Have you ever considered the basement? Many people do not know this is an option. Underpinning is the process of lowering a basement by extending your homes foundation beneath the existing footing and foundation gaining extra floor to ceiling height. Not only does underpinning gain you floor to ceiling height, but it also strengthens the existing foundation, allows proper waterproofing, weeping tile and sump pump installation, allows for opportunity to move around underground plumbing, sub-slab insulation can be added for increased building efficiency, if radon is present proper mitigation systems can also be installed, window enlargement for egress can be cut in, and load bearing walls can be removed and replaced with beams. Underpinning is a great option for families who need more living space, people with aging parents looking to develop an in-law suite, investors looking to maximize the units on the property, or people with structural foundation issues. The Process: First an engineer will come and assess the building attributes and design for the desired lowered height. Test holes will be drilled for soil investigation to ensure proper bearing capacity is viable. All necessary permits are applied for and once approved the digging begins. Once the desired depth is achieved, strategic portions underneath the building are dug out, rebar is installed, and forms are set. Concrete is then placed, allowing the proper curing time before the forms are stripped. This process is repeated until the house rests on its new foundation (the underpin). A drainage layer of ¾” stone is placed on the new subfloor. Waterproofing and any applicable plumbing is completed and inspected. Insulation and sub-slab vapour barriers are placed and sealed. The new concrete floor is poured. Any window enlargement then takes place. If you are interested in exploring this option reach out to our team today to have a free in-home consultation!