4 Reasons Why You Should Underpin Your House Basement
Posted on: 12 July 2021
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If you are looking to increase your home's longevity and its resale value, consider basement underpinning. This technique reinforces the existing house foundation to enable it to withstand the weight of the house better. It also raises the ceiling height and lowers the basement floor. Usually, your underpinning contractor will decide the best underpinning method to use depending on the type of soil as well as any existing foundational problems. Here are four reasons to consider underpinning your residential house's basement.
1. Increase Your Property Value
Typically, any prospective home buyers will check whether the basement is in excellent condition before buying the property. They may schedule a surveyor's inspection and use the report to decide whether to make an offer or not. Therefore, your house will find a quick buyer if you have invested in foundation underpinning. Additionally, the property appraisers value your house well when you have reworked and strengthened the basement.
2. Add Living Space
Most people hardly use their basement because the space is too cramped. Underpinning raises the ceiling, creating additional space in the room. The resulting space is large, spacious, and airy, and you can use it for a wide range of activities. You can decide to turn it into a hideout, game room, home office or play area for your kids. If you have members of your extended family that visit you often, you can also place a bed in it and convert it into a guest bedroom.
3. Prevent Future Foundation Problems
A weak foundation is a hazard, and it can bring down the entire home at any moment. You will notice signs like cracks on the walls and floor when the foundation starts sinking. In addition, the walls will begin to sag, and the doors will stop closing and opening as they used to do before. In this case, timely underpinning saves you from incurring ridiculously high expenses in rehabilitating the house in case the foundation collapses.
4. Improve Structural Integrity of the House
A house with a weak foundation cannot withstand adverse weather. For example, when it floods, the water will affect the soil around the basement, worsening the stability of the home. Similarly, the soil will shrink in the hot season. Underpinning transfers the weight of the house to the deeper layers, preventing damage.
You should hire residential underpinning contractors to check the condition of your home's foundation regularly. If they detect signs of weakness or settling, they will recommend an ideal underpinning method. Doing this improves the structural integrity and longevity of your home.