Services

Underpinning Basement & Foundation Service

Interior & Exterior Basement Underpinning Services

If your foundation feels unstable or you’ve noticed signs of settling, RSR Construction can assess whether underpinning is the right fix. Underpinning reinforces or extends a foundation’s depth so it can properly support your home again.
This is usually needed when the soil beneath your foundation has shifted, eroded, or lost its load-bearing strength. Poor drainage, tree roots, drought, and changes in the water table can all pull soil away from your foundation, creating gaps that lead to settling.
Most companies only offer exterior underpinning, which means excavating your yard to reach the foundation from the outside. At RSR Construction, we do both. We can complete the work from inside your basement, so your landscaping stays untouched and the job moves faster with less disruption to your property.
When you need foundation and concrete repair experts in Regina, RSR Construction has the experience and the equipment to get it done right, from the inside or the outside.
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What is Underpinning?

Underpinning is a method used to strengthen an existing foundation or extend it deeper into the ground. It gives your home the support it originally needed but no longer has.
Most engineers will recommend helical screw piles for this kind of repair. These are steel piles made up of tubular sections with helix-shaped anchors that get driven into the ground below your foundation. As each pile is installed, our crew checks it against an engineered capacity chart to confirm it can carry the load required for your specific foundation.
In practice, it means the footing beneath your foundation wall is notched to make room for the pile. The pile is driven into the ground at that spot, and a heavy steel bracket is installed to anchor it firmly against the foundation wall. Hydraulic jacks are attached to the bracket and used to lift the foundation back to level. Once your foundation is properly supported and level, the jacks are removed, but the piles and brackets stay in place permanently.
Traditionally, this meant excavating around the outside of your home. RSR Construction can also complete this work entirely from inside your basement using our patented Monax system, built for exactly this kind of job.
RSR also handles commercial underpinning. If you’re managing a commercial property with foundation concerns, get in touch to discuss your options.

Beware the Bottle Jacks

Some companies use bottle jacks, or car jacks, to stabilise your home. While these are good for temporary support for your car, a trailer, or a beam, when used on your foundation they may create irreparable damage. Their small head or saddle surface area can create unbalanced and uneven stress and pressure on your foundation, resulting in cracks or ruptures in the walls or footing.

Another issue is their lack of a pressure gauge. Not knowing the amount or limit of the hydraulic forces on your home can greatly increase the potential of uneven forces and an imbalance in how your foundation is lifted and supported.
The best way to ensure you're getting high quality workmanship is to do your research, ask questions, and filter out the contractors that could potentially cause you more trouble and more headaches down the road.

Call Us Immediately for an Assessment

While foundation issues may seem more common with older structures, even newer houses are susceptible to the damage caused by shifting foundations. If you spot significant cracks along your exterior, especially around the doors and windows, or you’ve noticed that doors are sticking, get in touch with our team right away for an assessment.
Unfortunately, many troubling surface cracks cannot be rectified by simply applying a sealant. RSR Construction has the experience to determine the extent of your foundation’s problem and establish the best course of action accordingly.
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FAQs for Basement & Foundation Underpinning

Foundation underpinning is the process of strengthening and stabilising an existing foundation that has shifted, settled, or weakened over time. House leveling is necessary if your property shows signs of issues such as:


  • Sticking doors and windows
  • Uneven floors or sloping basement floor
  • Visible cracks in walls or floors
  • Gaps between walls and ceilings
  • Bowing walls
  • Separated cabinets or countertops
  • Leaning chimneys
  • Cracked bricks
  • Noticeable gaps around windows and doors

These issues typically indicate significant foundation settlement or movement, which can compromise the structural integrity of your home. Pile support helps restore stability and prevent further damage.

If you notice any of the following warning signs, it may be time to consider foundation lifting:


  • Cracks in walls, ceilings, or floors
  • Doors and windows that are difficult to open or close
  • Uneven floors or an unlevel basement floor
  • Gaps forming between walls and ceilings
  • Bowing or leaning walls
  • Chimneys pulling away from the structure
  • Separated kitchen or bathroom cabinets and countertops
  • Noticeable foundation movement

For example, one recent project involved a 3,000-square-foot house that had sunk approximately 11 inches. The original piling system was inadequate, and an engineer recommended 43 new piles, each 25 feet deep. Due to limited space and winter conditions, interior house leveling was chosen using the Monax system, which allowed for efficient pile placement with minimal disruption.

At RSR Construction, we specialise in a variety of foundation repair methods to suit different issues, including:


  • Mass Concrete Underpinning: Reinforced concrete is added beneath the existing foundation to provide additional support.
  • Beam and Base Method: Steel beams are installed to redistribute the building's load and reinforce weak areas.
  • Mini-Piled Underpinning: Deep support piles are drilled when dealing with unstable soil conditions or heavier structures.
  • Interior House Leveling with Monax: A patented system that allows for pile placement inside the basement with minimal disruption, even in tight spaces as small as 25 inches. The Monax machine ensures precise pile placement, maintaining straight alignment and avoiding common issues like yawing or misalignment seen with manual methods.
The Monax system offers significant advantages over traditional methods, particularly where space constraints or extreme weather conditions present challenges. Unlike manual methods or conventional equipment such as Dingos, the Monax machine provides:
  • Superior Accessibility: The Monax machine is engineered to fit through tight spaces as small as 25 inches, allowing it to be manoeuvred into basements where other equipment cannot go. Ideal for interior projects where space is limited, it eliminates the need for costly and disruptive exterior excavation.
  • Precision and Stability: Each pile is placed with exacting precision, ensuring it remains perfectly straight. Traditional manual or Dingo methods can cause piles to yaw (shift or tilt), leading to potential weaknesses. The Monax system eliminates this issue, ensuring consistent, reliable results.
  • Adaptability to Harsh Conditions: The machine is designed to operate effectively in extreme weather, such as frost and freezing temperatures, making it an excellent choice for winter projects where exterior excavation is impractical. Cold weather does not impact Monax's performance when working from inside the property.
  • Enhanced Safety: The Monax system reduces manual labour, minimises worker fatigue, and ensures a controlled, stable process. The machine's technology allows for improved speed and torque control, providing the engineer with precise torque specifications to meet regulatory requirements.
  • Proven Performance: Monax technology has been successfully used in challenging environments, with piles placed as deep as 125 feet in Utah, demonstrating its capability across a wide range of soil conditions. It is patented in the US, Canada, and Europe.

The duration depends on several factors, including the size of the project, the extent of foundation damage, and the chosen method. Generally, foundation lifting projects take about 3-4 weeks, but the timeline can vary based on:


  • Permitting and regulatory approvals
  • The complexity of the foundation issue
  • Weather conditions (exterior projects only)

For interior work, weather delays are typically not an issue. The Monax system can significantly speed up the process. For example, a project that would traditionally take 4-5 employees several days to complete manually was finished in just 2 working days.

Yes, proper foundation repair can significantly increase your property’s value by ensuring its integrity and preventing further damage. Many banks and financial institutions flag structures with foundation issues, making it challenging to secure financing or sell the property. House leveling provides peace of mind for potential buyers and lenders.

To maximise the benefits, homeowners should retain all relevant documentation, including engineering reports, permits, and inspection reports. Having these on hand helps demonstrate the quality of work done and enhances marketability during resale.


Additional Information:

  • Warranty: 25-year labour warranty on underpinning work
  • Licences & Certifications: Fully insured with a $5 million liability policy, WCB coverage, and all work is engineer-inspected
  • Permits & Regulations: RSR Construction handles all necessary permits and inspections
  • Service Areas: Saskatchewan and surrounding regions
  • Financing Options: Currently not available

Get an Underpinning Estimate in Regina

Our foundation repair expertise means the job gets done right. Whether you require traditional pile support or interior house leveling, it's important to get a professional opinion if you have any questions or concerns. Get in touch with our crew today for a free estimate on foundation repair in Regina.

We work with RSR on many projects throughout the year. Terry (Owner) and Foreman Adrian are great to work with. RSR's customer service and workmanship are as good as it gets. They are hands down the BEST OF BEST at what they do. I strongly recommend RSR for any and all foundation repairs."
- Curtis Hicks
General Manager, Eco Concrete Levelling LTD.
Rated 4.5 out of 5

Our philosophy is 100% customer satisfaction.

If you’ve encountered underpinning house shifting, extreme wall cracks or flooding within your home, we can fix the problem at the source.

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