Basement Underpinning Toronto, GTA & Southern Ontario

Basement Underpinning & Floor Lowering

Choose quality basement underpinning services in Toronto, GTA & Southern Ontario. Our team is here to help strengthen foundation of your home, and help with basement floor lowering.

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Basement Underpinning is...

What is Basement Underpinning?

Basement underpinning, also known as basement floor lowering is a construction technique used to increase the depth or strengthen the foundation of an existing building. It involves excavating the soil beneath the building's foundation and then reinforcing it with additional support, such as concrete or steel beams. This process is typically performed to the foundation, to address structural issues caused by a weak or damaged foundation. Underpinning can also be used to lower the basement floor level to increase the ceiling height or create more usable space in your property.

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What are the Benefits of Basement Underpinning?

Basement underpinning comes with a number of benefits that ultimately turn your home into a more comfortable living space

Increased structural integrity - Underpinning strengthens the foundation of a building, increasing its load-bearing capacity. It can help address structural issues such as foundation settling, cracking, or inadequate support. By reinforcing the foundation, underpinning ensures the stability and longevity of the structure.
Additional space - underpinning allows for the expansion of the basement area, creating additional usable space. It can increase the ceiling height, making the basement more suitable for living areas, recreational rooms, or storage purposes. This can help increase the functionality and value of the property.
Flexibility for renovations - basement underpinning provides flexibility for future renovations. By strengthening the foundation, underpinning can allow for more extensive remodeling projects without compromising the building's stability.
Enhanced property value - underpinning can increase the market value of a property by adding usable space and ensuring a solid foundation. A strengthened foundation is an attractive feature for potential buyers or tenants, as it offers peace of mind and reduces the likelihood of future structural problems.
Long-term cost savings - while underpinning is an investment upfront, it can lead to long-term cost savings. By addressing foundation issues promptly and preventing further damage, underpinning can help avoid costly repairs in the future. It also minimizes the risk of structural failures, which can be expensive and disruptive to fix.
Full-Height Basement – basement floor lowering will help turn your basement into a more usable space.

All these benefits make the basement underpinning your property an excellent investment – more living space and a more stable foundation add up to more convenient & confident living. If your are considering lowering the basement floor of your property, get one of our basement underpinning contractors on the phone today!

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Is Basement Underpinning Worth it?

More Reasons to do Basement Underpinning

Basement Underpinning can be an excellent investment to make. Along with home additions basement underpinning services will help create an additional space in your property. There is a number of benefits that are often associated with basement floor lowering:

Helps Create Extra Living Space – basement underpinning can help turn your basement into a full-scale floor. Our clients often use the new space as a bar, gym, party room, guest bedroom and sometimes all of the above.
Increases Property Value – basement underpinning make the structure of your foundation more stable and can potentially extend it’s life. This combined with an increased ceiling height will make your property a bigger, as well as a safer investment to make. As a result, prospects will likely pay more for it.
Income Source – depending on the details of your property and project, basement floor lowering can help create an additional living space. In some cases it may even be rented out which will effective create a source of income, so you basement underpinning investment can pay off even before you sell your property.

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What to Expect During the Basement Underpinning Project?

Basement Underpinning Process

Basement underpinning is a construction technique used to strengthen or increase the depth of an existing basement's foundation. It involves excavating soil beneath the existing foundation and extending its depth to provide additional support and stability. It is important to note that process and specific tasks of basement underpinning may vary depending on the specifics of your project. Here is a general description of the basement underpinning process:

Assessment and Planning - a Structural Engineer or foundation specialist assesses the existing foundation's condition and determines if underpinning is necessary. They evaluate factors such as soil conditions, load-bearing capacity, and the desired outcome.
Excavation - the area around the foundation is excavated in sections to allow access to the existing foundation walls. The excavation is typically done in stages, starting from one section and moving to the next to ensure stability.
Shoring and Support - temporary shoring systems, such as hydraulic jacks or steel beams, are installed to support the foundation walls during excavation. This prevents collapse or movement during the underpinning process.
Underpinning Installation - Different methods can be used for underpinning, depending on the specific requirements. Only a professional can help make the right choice, but here is a couple of examples of underpinning techniques:
- Mass Concrete Underpinning - this involves pouring concrete in sections beneath the existing foundation to create a new, deeper foundation level. The concrete is allowed to cure and harden before moving to the next section.
- Mini-Piled Underpinning - small-diameter steel or concrete piles are driven or drilled into the ground beneath the existing foundation. These piles provide additional support by transferring the load to more stable soil layers.
- Pile and Beam Underpinning - piles are installed beneath the existing foundation, and steel beams or reinforced concrete beams are used to transfer the load from the foundation to the piles.
Backfilling & Waterproofing - after the underpinning work is completed, the excavated area is backfilled with suitable material and compacted. Waterproofing measures, such as installing drainage systems or applying waterproof coatings, may be implemented to prevent moisture issues in the basement.
Finishing & Restoration - once the underpinning process is finished, the basement can be restored to its original condition or renovated as desired. This may involve repairing any cosmetic or structural damage that occurred during the underpinning process and ensuring proper insulation, ventilation, and finishing.

It's important to note that the basement underpinning process can vary depending on the specific circumstances and requirements of the project. Consulting with a qualified professional is crucial to ensure proper planning, execution, and compliance with local building codes and regulations.

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Basement Underpinning Toronto

How long does basement underpinning take?

The duration of a basement underpinning project can vary depending on various factors, including the size of the basement, the complexity of the existing foundation, and the specific underpinning technique used. Typically, basement underpinning projects can take several weeks to a few months to complete. The process involves a series of steps, including excavation, installation of temporary supports, underpinning the foundation, pouring new concrete footings, and allowing sufficient time for the concrete to cure. The timeline may also be influenced by factors such as weather conditions and any unforeseen challenges encountered during the construction process. It's important to consult with a professional contractor or structural engineer who can assess your specific situation and provide a more accurate estimate of the timeframe required for your basement underpinning project. They will consider the scope of work, project complexities, and any potential disruptions to your daily routine during the construction phase.
How much does basement underpinning cost?

An average basement underpinning project in Toronto & GTA will cost you about $15,000 for a conventional basement underpinning or more for a more complex projects. There is a number of moving elements inside the basement underpinning cost, here is a couple of considerations: Structural Engineer – Structural Engineer has to work with your basement underpinning contractor to create a plan. You can work with our team or choose your own Structural Engineer, this usually costs around $2,000. Other Factors – depth, access, footage of your basement will also impact the cost. Basement Underpinning in Toronto, GTA & Southern Ontario generally costs around $350-$450 per linear foot.
Common Foundation Problems?

There is a number of foundation problems that may occur for different reasons. If you notice the or other foundation problems, make sure to talk to an expert as soon as possible as foundation problems tend to get worse over time. Here is a couple of foundation problems that we often see: Cracks in the foundation - cracks can occur due to settling, shifting soil, or poor construction. They can range from minor hairline cracks to larger, more serious cracks that affect the structural integrity of the foundation. Uneven or sinking foundation - may be caused by soil movement or inadequate soil compaction during construction and other problems. It can lead to uneven floors, gaps between walls and floors, or doors and windows that stick. Foundation heaving - heaving may be caused by the soil beneath the foundation expanding, which causes the foundation to rise. This can be caused by excessive moisture, frost, or poor drainage around the foundation. Basement leaks - water seepage or leaks in the basement can be a sign of foundation problems. They can occur due to cracks in the foundation, poor waterproofing, or improper drainage around the foundation. Bowing or leaning walls - when the foundation walls start to bow or lean inward, it is often a result of hydrostatic pressure from water-saturated soil pushing against the foundation. This can lead to structural instability and should be addressed promptly. Settling or sinking foundation - if the foundation settles or sinks unevenly, it can cause cracks in the walls, uneven floors, and misaligned doors and windows. This can be caused by soil consolidation, poor soil compaction, or inadequate foundation design. Foundation deterioration - over time, foundations can deteriorate due to age, exposure to moisture, or poor construction materials. This can lead to weakened foundation walls, crumbling concrete, or loss of structural integrity. The list goes on. Remember, these and other foundation issue should never be ignored. If you see any signs of foundation problems, talk to an expert as soon as possible!
Why do you need a structural engineer report?

The first step in basement underpinning project. This along with recommendation from a structural engineer will give you an unbiased opinion on the foundation problems.
How to use extra space created by basement underpinning?

We see our clients turn the results of basement underpinning projects to make their dreams come true, or at the very least – to make their lives better. Here is how some of our clients use their additional living space in their basement: Income Suit Nanny Space Gym Bar Games Room Movie Theatre In-law Suit And in some cases, all of the above. When you underpin your basement, you will have plenty of space to get creative!