London Underpinning & Basement Lowering

old concrete
In London, the floor is broken apart in sections in order to dig down to the footing of the basement foundation.
draining excess water
Excess soil is manually extracted from the site in London, while a water pump is used to extract water accumulated from hydrostatic pressure.
digging footings
Exposed basement walls are cleaned up and debris is cleared from the base of the walls to allow for the installation of weeping tile.
basement waterproofing membrane
In London, the interior exposed walls are wrapped with rolls of dimpled drainage membrane and secured using washers and special concrete nails.
wall drainage pipe
Perforated drainage pipe is installed around the perimeter of the foundation wall under the drainage membrane to help distribute water away from the foundation to a drainage source.
weeping tile trenches
For this type of project in London, rows of trenches are dug for a 3-inch perforated drainage pipe, which is set to run underneath the poured concrete floor. These pipes are laid out to cross the room, collecting water and channeling it to a floor drain or sump pump for discharge.
weeping tile
The weeping tile is laid down and connected to the wall weeping tile using connector pieces to create a full drainage system running through the basement.
3/4 crushed stone
A layer of 3/4 inch gravel is spread out evenly across the room for further drainage capability and to cover up the drainage pipes.
finished interior waterproofing
Once the 3/4 gravel is spread evenly, the interior waterproofing job is finished. Now the London basement is waterproofed and ready for interior finishing.
Underpinning Job 6
Most times while underpinning, steel columns are needed for safety and to support the load of the floor above.
Underpinning Job 5
Once benching and the necessary measures have been done to make the room structurally sound, the support columns can then be taken out.
Underpinning Job 2
Example of a spot along the basement foundation wall in a London home where benching will be required.
Underpinning Job 3
The underpinning crew will dig the mound of dirt down to prep the wall for benching.
Underpinning Job 1
Once the mound of dirt against the foundation wall in London has been excavated and cleaned, the underpinning team is ready to fill the hole with cement and complete the benching process for that section of the wall.
Photos Video

To enhance your home’s living space, your basement is a great place to start. What if your family needs to create a comfortable living area in your unfinished basement? This is where underpinning and basement lowering become essential. For this kind of foundation repair, waterproofing specialists must excavate down to your home’s footing to strengthen the foundation walls and increase ceiling height.

Many older homes have basements with low ceilings because they weren’t originally intended as living spaces. While basement lowering is a significant undertaking, it will greatly expand your living area and boost your home’s value.

See the underpinning process in action!

Check out our Underpinning Process Video

Cost of Underpinning & Basement Lowering in London

Determining the cost of underpinning and basement lowering is a primary concern for any London homeowner looking to expand their living space and significantly increase property value. Because every home’s foundation and structural needs are unique, a standard price simply doesn’t exist. The total investment for your project will depend on several critical factors, including the linear footage of the foundation walls requiring work, the desired new ceiling height, local soil conditions, property accessibility, and the specific engineering requirements for your home. The team at RCC Waterproofing provides a transparent and thorough process, starting with a comprehensive, on-site assessment. Contact us today to schedule your free, no-obligation estimate and let our London-based experts provide you with an accurate and detailed quote for your project.

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The Advantages of Underpinning and Basement Lowering

Basement lowering, also known as underpinning, involves digging out the basement floor to add several feet of height. This process not only makes the basement more accessible and usable but also increases your home’s overall value. Furthermore, underpinning enhances the building’s stability and improves its aesthetic appeal. Since many of these basements are only six feet high, lowering the floor by two feet to achieve an eight-foot ceiling is a common goal.

Here are some key terms and processes to be familiar with when discussing underpinning with a contractor:

  • Benching: This method adds living space and height, similar to underpinning, but results in less square footage. It’s a viable option for many uses and is less expensive and time-consuming than underpinning.

Benching Process

Basement Waterproofing Benching Process
Concrete poured and dried. Benching is complete.

  • The process begins with engineer drawings and permits.
  • The concrete floor is then removed.
  • The earth is excavated to the required depth.
  • The perimeter is formed for the benching.
  • New plumbing is installed, which may require a sewer injector.
  • An internal drainage system is installed for waterproofing.
  • A minimum of three inches of ¾ gravel is laid for the base.
  • A new concrete floor is poured and finished.

Underpinning Process

The primary goal of this system is to maximize living space by increasing the basement’s height and area. This is a popular choice for homeowners who want to create a finished basement or a rental unit.

Basement lowering and underpinning
Underpinning Completed

First step is to have engineer drawings and permits.

  • The process starts with engineer drawings and permits.
  • The concrete floor is removed, and the soil is excavated.
  • Pins are dug out in sections according to the engineer’s drawings.
  • New footings for posts are installed if needed.
  • A 2-inch dry pack grout is installed between the existing footings and concrete.
  • New plumbing is installed.
  • The interior drainage system is installed for waterproofing.
  • A minimum of 3 inches of ¾ gravel is laid.
  • A new concrete floor is installed and finished.

Find Out More About The Cost Of Underpinning Your Basement – Visit Our Blog

Lowering your basement can drastically change your home, but it must be done correctly. Ensure the company you hire has liability insurance and a solid reputation. RCC Waterproofing is fully insured and can provide client references.

RCC Waterproofing is pleased to offer client references and is completely insured.

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