BASEMENT LOWERING

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RCC can lower your existing basement to provide you with valuable
living space. RCC uses two types of systems, the benching system and the underpinning system.

Benching System

Benching System:

The benching system is used to create extra living space. The benching system is a sister to underpinning system, it will allow you to create the same overall height gain but it minimizes your square footage. If the area is finished according to the benching system then this works for many applications. It is a system that is less costly then underpinning and takes half the time.

Benching process:

• First step is to have engineer drawings and permits
• The concrete floor is removed
• The soil is excavated to its proper elevations, pending on the height required will determine how far out from the wall the concrete needs to project
• If you lower your basement 1 ft down then this means your concrete bench needs to be 1ft to 1 ½ ft out from interior wall
• Once excavated the perimeter is formed for the benching to be poured
• The new plumbing is installed, if the elevations for new plumbing cannot be meet then a sewer injector will be required.
• The interior drainage system is then installed to waterproofing the property
• A minimum of 3 inches of ¾ gravel is placed on floor for base
• Then new concrete floor is installed and trowel finished

Underpinning System

Underpinning process:

The underpinning system is used for one main reason to create extra living space. This system will allow you to increase the overall height of your basement and the square footage. Most home owners choose to go this route because it gives them the options to use their basement as a rental property which in return will give them a source of income, or to gain a fully finished basement.

Process for underpinning:

• First step is to have engineer drawings and permits.
• Concrete floor is removed and the soil is excavated to proper elevation
• The pins are dug out in sections according to the engineers drawings, typically in three stages
• If new posts are required then new footings for posts are installed, which means temporary jacks are installed to support beam
• After the first stage of pins is completed there is a 2 inch space between the existing footings and concrete where a 2 inch dry pack grout is installed.
• Once all three stages are completed, the new plumbing is installed, if the elevations for new plumbing cannot be meet then a sewer injector will be required.
• The interior drainage system is then installed in order to waterproof the property
• A minimum of 3 inches of ¾ gravel is placed on floor for base
• Then new concrete floor is installed and trowel finished

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