Basement excavation is commonly used to add more space to homes. It also improves the value of your property. Underpinning and waterproofing are additional steps, which part of excavation.  They further increase the stability of your building. This is a major project and should always be handled by certified and experienced professionals.

Let’s find out when and where basement excavation is needed.

1. Damaged Foundation

Your home’s structure relies on the basement. The walls of your basement support the structure of the building. You are going to need basement excavation if the foundation has been damaged. The basement walls can get settled because of many reason, including:

  • A shift in the ground soil
  • Poor construction concepts
  • Soil erosion

A change in just one wall in its position can cause damage to the structure of your building. Sometimes, more than one wall may have adjusted. This can require major repair. The repair work usually requires access to the interior and exterior sides of the wall. Such a work will focus on protecting the structural integrity of the building.

2. Basement Waterproofing

Excavation may also be required as part of a project that involves waterproofing the basement. Usually, basements need to be waterproofed first before they can be renovated. There are a number of ways of waterproofing, including application of a liner or coating on the outer walls.

This is when the walls are already in good condition. Else, the basement walls may also need a rebuild as part of the waterproofing process. The excavation part is required around the perimeter of the basement to make the walls accessible. After the exterior walls, the basement’s interior is finished and worked out to create the desired space.

3. Fixing Walls in Bad Shape

Basement excavation is also required when the basement walls are in bad condition and need to be repaired. Exterior basement walls can lose their conditions due to various reasons, including:

  • Gradual impact from the elements
  • Lack of initial waterproofing
  • Lack of weathering
  • Use of low quality materials

Fixing such a wall can require improving, reinforcing, or just replacing it. It will be required to remove the dirt around the basement walls to get access to them. Without excavation, it will not be possible to complete the upgrade or repair work.

The Basement Excavation Process

The backfill basement process is considered and efficient and safe methods of excavation. Before the process begins, the experts will check the condition of the underlying soil. Some of the key aspects of a basement excavation project are as follows:

  • A project can take 12 to 20 weeks to complete
  • The factors affecting the duration include the property size, amount of excavation required, and the complexity
  • The first stage involves erecting the hoarding
  • A timber shelter may be constructed around the access point to the excavation
  • External opening may be created to the basement area
  • Temporary supports and weather-proofing can be installed
  • An excavator or backhoe digs down and the material is moved to the surface
  • The foundation may be underpinned based on the need

The process may also involve rerouting the building services.

The right basement excavation contractor can use a wide range of methods to fix or change the walls of your basement. Smaller projects may allow access to the basement from the interior, but other projects may require excavation. The right contractor should visit your property and conduct an inspection of the basement. An initial consultation should be set to discuss the inspection report and your options. This is a sophisticated project and it is recommended it is handled only by certified and experienced professionals.