Underpinning Basement & Foundation Service
TAKE CARE OF YOUR FOUNDATION FOR A STRONG STRUCTURE AND UNWAVERING PEACE OF MIND.
If you’re concerned about the strength or condition of your property’s foundation, it’s time to call in RSR Construction: Basement & Foundation Repair to assess whether Underpinning, House Leveling is necessary. In construction or renovation, Underpinning, House Leveling is a procedure used to reinforce or increase the depth of a structure’s existing foundation. Your home may require Underpinning/house for a number of reasons, such as if the foundation has degraded over time, or when the supporting soil around your home has been compromised. When subsoil is drawn away from your foundation, cavities are created and subsidence occurs. Poor drainage, tree roots, droughts and significant changes in water table levels can all negatively impact the foundation of your home. There is no need to destroy the yard with exterior excavation as it can be done from the interior.
When you need experts in concrete repairs and Underpinning/house in Regina, we’re an experienced company you can trust.
What is Underpinning?
Underpinning, House leveling is a method used to increase foundation depth or repair faulty foundations. If you talk to an engineer, they’ll likely recommend screw piles and excavation around the home, in order to fix this problem. Screw piles are used for building deep foundations and are generally made up of varying sizes of tubular sections for the piles and ground anchors for their shafts. During the installation of the screw piles, RSR Construction will monitor the resistance against an engineered capacities chart to ensure that each of the screw piles being installed will be able to carry the required capacity.
Heavy steel brackets are installed under and alongside your foundation wall to secure these screw piles firmly to your home. The heavy steel brackets are designed to allow for hydraulic jacks to effectively lift and level your home’s foundation. The footing is notched so the screw pile can be installed next to your home’s foundation, and then the brackets are installed along with the hydraulic jacks. Once the jacks have been removed, the screw piles and brackets remain to provide permanent support for the foundation.
Beware the Bottle Jacks
Some companies use bottle jacks, or car jacks, to stabilize your home. While these are good for temporary support for your car, a trailer, or a beam, when used on your home’s foundation, they may create irreparable damage. Their small head or saddle surface area can create unbalanced and uneven stress and pressure on your foundation, resulting in cracks or ruptures in the walls or footing.
Another issue is their lack of a pressure gauge. Not knowing the amount or limit of the hydraulic forces on your home can greatly increase the potential of uneven forces on your structure and an imbalance in how your foundation is lifted and supported.
The best way to ensure you’re getting high quality workmanship is to do your research, ask questions, and filter out the contractors that could potentially cause you more trouble and more headaches down the road.
Call Us Immediately for an Assessment
While foundation issues may seem more common with older homes, it should be noted that even newer homes are susceptible to the damages caused by shifting foundations. If you spot significant cracks along your home’s exterior, especially around the doors and windows, or you’ve noticed that doors are sticking, you should get in touch with our team right away for an assessment for concrete repairs involving Underpinning/house in Regina. Unfortunately, many troubling surface cracks cannot be rectified by simply applying a sealant. RSR Construction has the experience to determine the extent of your foundation’s problem and to establish the best course of action accordingly.
FAQs for Basement & Foundation Underpinning
1. What is basement or foundation underpinning, and why would I need it?
Basement or foundation underpinning is the process of strengthening and stabilizing an existing foundation that has shifted, settled, or weakened over time. Underpinning is necessary if your property shows signs of structural issues such as:
- – Sticking doors and windows
- – Uneven or sloping floors
- – Visible cracks in walls or floors
- – Gaps between walls and ceilings
- – Bowing walls
- – Separated cabinets or countertops
- – Leaning chimneys
- – Cracked bricks
- – Noticeable gaps around windows and doors
These issues typically indicate significant foundation settlement or movement, which can compromise the structural integrity of your home. Underpinning helps restore stability and prevent further damage.
2. What are the most common signs that my foundation needs underpinning?
If you notice any of the following warning signs, it may be time to consider underpinning:
- – Cracks in walls, ceilings, or floors
- – Doors and windows that are difficult to open or close
- – Floors that are uneven or sloping
- – Gaps forming between walls and ceilings
- – Bowing or leaning walls
- – Chimneys pulling away from the structure
- – Separated kitchen or bathroom cabinets and countertops
- – Noticeable foundation movement
For example, one recent project involved a 3,000-square-foot home that had sunk approximately 11 inches. The original piling system was inadequate, and an engineer recommended installing 43 new 14-foot piles, each 25 feet deep. Due to limited space and winter conditions, interior underpinning was chosen using the Monax system, which allowed for efficient pile installation with minimal disruption.
3. What underpinning methods do you use, and how do you choose the right one?
At RSR Construction, we specialize in a variety of underpinning methods to suit different foundation issues, including:
- – Mass Concrete Underpinning: Reinforced concrete is added beneath the existing foundation to provide additional support.
- – Beam and Base Method: Steel beams are installed to redistribute the building’s load and reinforce weak areas.
- – Mini-Piled Underpinning: Deep support piles are drilled when dealing with unstable soil conditions or heavier structures.
- – Interior Underpinning with Monax: A patented system that allows for pile installation inside the basement with minimal disruption, even in tight spaces as small as 25 inches. The Monax machine ensures precise pile installation, maintaining straight alignment and avoiding common issues like yawing or misalignment seen with manual methods.
Why We Use the Monax System for Interior Underpinning
The Monax system is a cutting-edge solution that offers significant advantages over traditional underpinning methods, particularly in cases where space constraints or extreme weather conditions present challenges. Unlike manual underpinning or the use of conventional equipment such as Dingos, the Monax machine provides:
1 – Superior Accessibility:
- – The Monax machine is engineered to fit through tight spaces as small as 25 inches, allowing it to be maneuvered into basements where other equipment cannot be lowered.
- – Ideal for interior projects where space is limited, it eliminates the need for costly and disruptive structural modifications.
2 – Superior Accessibility:
- – The Monax machine is engineered to fit through tight spaces as small as 25 inches, allowing it to be maneuvered into basements where other equipment cannot be lowered.
- – Ideal for interior projects where space is limited, it eliminates the need for costly and disruptive structural modifications.
3 – Precision and Stability:
- – Each pile is installed with exacting precision, ensuring it remains perfectly straight.
- – Traditional manual or Dingo methods can cause piles to yaw (shift or tilt), leading to potential structural weaknesses.
- – The Monax system eliminates this issue, ensuring consistent, reliable results every time.
4 – Adaptability to Harsh Conditions:
- – The machine is designed to operate effectively in extreme weather conditions, such as frost and freezing temperatures, making it an excellent choice for winter projects where exterior excavation is impractical.
- – Cold weather does not impact Monax’s performance when installed from inside the property.
5 – Enhanced Safety:
- – The Monax system enhances workplace safety by reducing manual labour, minimizing worker fatigue, and ensuring a controlled, stable installation process.
- – The machine’s technology allows for improved speed and torque control, providing the engineer with precise torque specifications to meet regulatory requirements.
6 – Proven Performance:
- – Monax underpinning technology has been successfully used in challenging environments, with piles installed as deep as 125 feet in Utah, demonstrating its capability to handle a wide range of soil conditions.
- – It is patented in the US, Canada, and Europe, offering a trusted and innovative solution for complex underpinning needs.
4. How long does the underpinning process take?
The duration of underpinning depends on several factors, including the size of the project, the extent of foundation damage, and the chosen method. Generally, underpinning projects take about 3-4 weeks, but the timeline can vary based on:
- – Permitting and regulatory approvals
- – The complexity of the foundation issue
- – Weather conditions (exterior projects only)
For interior underpinning, weather delays are typically not an issue. The use of the Monax system can significantly speed up the process; for example, a project that would traditionally take 4-5 employees several days to complete manually was finished in just 2 working days using Monax technology.
5. Will underpinning affect my home’s value?
Yes, proper underpinning can significantly increase your home’s value by ensuring its structural integrity and preventing further foundation damage. Many banks and financial institutions flag homes with foundation issues, making it challenging to secure financing or sell the property. Underpinning provides peace of mind for potential buyers and lenders.
To maximize the benefits, homeowners should retain all relevant documentation, including:
- – Engineering reports
- – Permits
- – Inspection reports
Having these documents on hand helps demonstrate the quality of work done and enhances the home’s marketability during resale.
Additional Information
- – Warranty: 25-year labour warranty on underpinning work
- – Licences & Certifications: Fully insured with a $5 million liability policy, WCB coverage, and all work is engineer-inspected
- – Permits & Regulations: RSR Construction handles all necessary permits and inspections
- – Service Areas: Saskatchewan and surrounding regions
- – Financing Options: Currently not available
Get an Underpinning Estimate in Regina
Our Underpinning, House Leveling expertise allows us to efficiently and confidently dig underneath the shallows of your home, in order to extend the building’s foundation. Our Underpinning/house services ensure greater stability in the years ahead. Whether you require traditional Underpinning/house or not, it’s important to get a professional opinion if you have any questions or concerns. Get in touch with our crew today to find out more about your options for concrete repairs involving Underpinning/house in Regina. We offer free estimates on all of our services for your convenience. We’d be happy to help!
