To lower a floor in a basement, the primary techniques involve underpinning or bench pinning.
Basement floor lowering is typically undertaken to increase ceiling height, transforming a low, often unusable space into a functional living area. This process involves significant structural work that affects the foundation of your home.
Primary Techniques for Lowering a Basement Floor
According to information on lowering basements, there are two main methods used by contractors:
- Underpinning
- Bench Pinning
These techniques are employed to ensure the stability of the existing foundation while the basement floor is excavated and lowered.
Underpinning Explained
One of the primary techniques is underpinning. As described, underpinning involves contractors carefully excavating below the existing footing. Once the necessary depth is reached, new footings are poured at a lower depth than the original foundation footings. This process essentially extends the foundation downwards, allowing for the basement floor to be lowered.
Bench Pinning
The other primary technique mentioned is bench pinning. While the source identifies this as a method for lowering a basement floor, it does not provide details on the specific process involved in bench pinning.
In summary, lowering a basement floor is achieved through specialized techniques like underpinning or bench pinning, ensuring the structural integrity of the building throughout the excavation and construction process.
