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underpinning

Raising the height of the basement: the secret of creating a separate suite

Statistics show that the GTA population is aging. The number of people aged 65 or older has nearly doubled since 1960. This geriatric population cannot live independently and needs family support.

For this reason, many families realize that they do not have enough space at home for all family members and feel a lot of pressure. As a result, they have decided to use all available space for living.

One of these available places is the basement, which can convert into a separate apartment with little change.

You may have many reasons for underpinning and increasing the height of your basement. You can earn financial income by turning it into a habitable suite. If you live with your parents and create a private space for him in the basement, you can have him with the family and take care of him.

Following safe building practices and code requirements is always essential, so check with your local building department to determine what is required for excavation, electrical and plumbing re-routing, and concrete construction.

Despite the considerable investment and time that the underpinning project requires, you can increase the value of your property by doing it correctly. Real estate agents always believe that by finishing the basement and expanding the living space and potential rental income, you will significantly improve your capital and source of income.

Site inspection and design

Before you want to do the underpinning project to increase the height of the basement and complete it, it is better to consult a specialist engineer. To carry out this project, you need things such as stamped maps indicating the appropriate level of excavation, foundation layout, and plans for moving and expanding load-bearing walls by most municipalities before issuing a proper construction permit. Before starting construction, you should see a detailed design of what you have in mind. It is better to determine the exact location of the kitchen, bathroom, living room, dining area, windows, doors and mechanical devices before starting work. A clear understanding of the specifications required for each component will help you achieve your remodelling goals and stay on budget.

Site preparation

In the first stage of the underpinning project, furnace connections, ducting, water heaters and other equipment should be routed and moved to another place. At WETFIX, we use vertical jack supports to perform underpinning, which prevents the building from sagging during the project. We temporarily install steel or wooden beams to distribute the house's weight and remove them after completing the new weight-bearing foundation.

Digging and lowering the floor

The underpinning process is done in four different ways. But all the steps include digging and removing excess soil under and around the basement. The digging stage is one of the most challenging stages of underpinning and is done with a shovel or with the help of advanced tools such as backhoes and soil loaders. Using this advanced tool is expensive, but it saves you time.

If underpinning is done to strengthen the foundation, technicians use the traditional mass concrete method. This method removes the weak soil under the foundation and replaces it with a concrete slab. The strength of the concrete, which has replaced the soft ground, makes the weight of the house more efficiently distributed.

Another method of underpinning uses beams and foundations, including traditional mass concrete and concrete beams that support the foundation. The beams used in this method evenly balance the load of the house and support the entire structure.

In the third method, we can use a mini-candle system to transfer the structure's weight more plunging into the soil. This technique uses 15 to 30-cm steel-clad piles driven through pre-drilled holes 5 to 15 meters below the existing footings.

We must remove the basement's concrete floor using the fourth underpinning method. We excavate a small section and then fill it with concrete. The space between old and new concrete is sealed with non-shrinking grout.

At this stage, we consider exit access points for the basement. According to local building codes, the basement bedroom should have a safe and direct exit, such as a door or a large window. We will try to design the basement with a doorway and a private entrance for your family members.

We cut the exit door on one of the walls using a concrete saw. Then, we install a threshold plate, support beams and door. The bedroom is also designed in such a way that it has suitable light and air conditions. You can also cut a full-size window with a concrete saw. This window provides you with light and fresh air.

Waterproofing the basement

Now that the height of the basement has increased and is ready for habitation, you should also pay attention to its humidity. Every person's living space should be dry. For this reason, it is necessary to waterproof the new apartment. Extended foundation walls must be protected from hydrostatic pressure by an external waterproof membrane.

All parts of the basement can suffer from moisture, which damages the structure and endangers the health of its residents. WETFIX Company has 30 years of experience in basement waterproofing and can offer you a completely dry suite.

We use all methods of waterproofing, including internal and external, and tools such as interior drain tiles, sump pumps, and inner membranes to ensure that your basement is waterproof.

The internal drain tile system is installed before adding concrete to the floor. We dig a trench around the entire perimeter of the room. In the next step, we first pour sand, install the perforated PVC pipe and membrane and direct it to the lowest point of the room.

At this stage, we dig a pit with a depth of two feet and a width of eighteen inches and place the sump pump in it. We sand the bottom of the hole and then put the floating pump or pedestal.

We connect the pump to the drain tile and test and adjust it after floor construction. A 4- to 6-inch layer of gravel should be spread evenly over the surface of the new basement to prepare for pouring the new concrete slab. After a few days, this method will give you a solid foundation and a high and dry basement.

The final stage

Determine the exact location of the required cabinet and sink installation. To have an independent apartment in the basement, you need to build a bathroom and a kitchen. These places need electrical and plumbing facilities. You will need to add additional circuits for lighting and outlets to the main switch box. It is better to prepare the design of these parts before the underpinning and drilling process so that the underpinning process can be done without mistakes. It would be best if you also determined the bathroom and kitchen decoration.

You can use the electric baseboard heat with a controlled thermostat to give a pleasant temperature to the room in winter. Using a dehumidifier during the warmer months will help remove excess moisture and make rooms more comfortable for mom or dad.

Design the building's facade and exterior, and consider a deck, patio, or walkway for beautiful landscaping.

Conclusion

As you can see, underpinning is a practical and affordable way to add an independent apartment to your home. If you can repurpose this space, you'll increase the value of your property and create an excellent area to spend quality time with your family for years to come.

The most important decision for you is choosing an expert team in the underpinning field. WETFIX skilled technicians will carry out your underpinning project without risk and add an independent unit to your home. Please take advantage of our instant visit service today.



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455 Addison Hall Circle, Unit5,
Aurora, ON L4G7C7
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