If you’re unfamiliar with the term drain repair or “basement underpinning,” the latter is a great process that can benefit your home in many ways. It can increase the size of your home, reinforce its structure, add value, and even save you money in the long run.
However, the consequences could be severe if you neglect to address any issues with a damaged or sinking basement. While only some issues are that pressing, it’s best to take your time. Here’s why you shouldn’t delay getting basement underpinning done by Draincom.
1. Repairing Significant Structural Damage
As drought conditions continue to plague Toronto, your house may be in danger of serious structural damage that needs drain repair. When there is a prolonged lack of moisture, the soil under the foundation can become dry and shrink, causing the foundation to sink. This can lead to cracks in the structure, including the walls and floors, and even cause the house to separate into different sections.
There are a few warning signs that you may have a plummeting foundation, such as stuck doors, cracks in the drywall, and wide cracks in the foundation walls. If you notice any of these issues, it’s crucial to get underpinning done as soon as possible to prevent further damage. Underpinning involves using support piers driven into the ground to lift, level, and stabilize the foundation.
2. Adding More Space Without Incurring More Costs
In the past, homeowners who wanted to add more space to their homes often built additions, added a second floor, or put in a dormer. However, these options can be expensive and may not be feasible due to building limits or limited yard space. As a result, techniques like basement lowering and underpinning are now more popular in Toronto and the surrounding area. Many people choose to use these methods to create extra space in their crawlspace, which is often used for storage.
Drain repair and underpinning are not considered additions but improvements to the existing building. It means you can add more space to your home without expanding its footprint, saving you money and time in the building process. If you commence on a project like this during the summer, you might even be able to enjoy your new space before the weather starts to change.
3. Increasing the Height of the Ceiling
Completed basements are a great way to add more living space to your home, whether you plan to use it as a playroom, home office, or entertainment center. However, if your home is older and has a low ceiling height, you may need help to renovate the basement effectively.
Rather than feeling cramped whenever you go down there, you might want to consider drain Toronto repair and underpinning to add more height to the ceiling by removing some inches to of the floor. One primary method I mentioned earlier may be utilized to achieve this. It’s also a good idea to add drain tile to direct water to your sump pump and keep it far from the foundation.
Lowering the home’s basement in this way can increase headroom, improve the waterproofing, and make the space more appealing and valuable. As with all building enhancement projects, it’s best to start sooner rather than later, as if you wait for long, the more costly it will be.
4. Support An Additional Storey
If you’re thinking about building an addition to your house, it’s essential to have an engineer assess the support structure of the foundation. Based on your home’s age, the footings may not be strong enough to support the added weight of another storey.
One of the advantages of underpinning is that it typically doesn’t involve using heavy or complicated equipment, so it should be fine with your landscaping. Additionally, a stabilizer method can be set below the beams to support the extra weight. If you’re planning to add 2nd or 3rd storey to your structure, it’s a good idea to schedule the underpinning work as soon as possible. This way, you’ll have the new level enclosed before the winter weather arrives.