Basement Underpinning and Lowering Services in Toronto
Welcome to Aquamaster Waterproofing. Since 2009, our team has been offering basement underpinning and lowering services in Toronto, with over 3000 happy customers across the region! Talk to one of our Toronto underpinning experts and get a free on-site estimate today!
What Is Basement Underpinning?
Most homeowners opt for basement underpinning in Toronto to increase the amount of space in their homes, and there are many ways to achieve this. Depending on the specifics of your property, our team of underpinning contractors and Toronto basement underpinning specialists will suggest the most suitable option for you – basement underpinning, bench footing, or another service that will help lower the basement floor and strengthen the foundation.
The Benefits of Basement Lowering Services
Basement lowering in Toronto offers many significant advantages to homeowners, especially when you work with experts like Aquamaster Waterproofing. While these benefits may vary depending on your specific needs, goals, and property circumstances, here’s what you can expect when you work with us:
Underpinning strengthens a building’s foundation, making it more stable and capable of supporting additional loads. This is particularly beneficial in cases where the existing foundation is cracked, weak, damaged, or inadequate.
Lowering the basement floor will help create more living space. This is especially valuable in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), where land is limited and expansion above ground may not be possible. It increases the comfortable living space without taking up additional land on your property. Our clients often turn their basements into gyms, game rooms, and saunas.
Adding a deeper and reinforced basement can significantly enhance a property’s value. A well-executed basement underpinning project can increase the height of a basement ceiling and the overall usable square footage. Combine this with basement renovations, and you will have a higher property value and appeal to potential buyers or tenants.
Additional measures can be taken to improve the basement’s waterproofing and moisture control during the basement floor-lowering process. This can include installing drainage systems, sump pumps, and waterproof membranes.
Obtaining permits for basement underpinning in Toronto is easier than building an addition to your home.
Some property owners decide to rent out their basements, creating an additional source of income and contributing to the mortgage funds.
It’s important to note that basement underpinning can be a complex and costly process that should be approached with careful planning, engineering expertise, and adherence to local building regulations. Professional consultation and assessment by an experienced underpinning contractor in Toronto, are essential to determine the suitability and potential benefits of underpinning for a specific property.
More Reasons to Consider Basement Underpinning Toronto
- Added Value – Basement floor lowering increases the height of a basement ceiling. Combine this with basement renovations and now you have more square footage of living space, which translates to a higher value of the property.
- Creates More Living Space – Our clients often turn their basements into gyms, game rooms, saunas, and more. How would you use an extra floor of space?
- Additional Income Source – In some cases you may be able to rent out your basement. Which will effectively create an additional source of income and will make it easier for you to pay your mortgage.
Alternatives for Basement Lowering in Toronto
- Bench Footing: Unlike underpinning, basement benching or footing doesn’t require digging under the existing foundation. Instead, the new footing will be built beside the old one. As a result, the weight of the building will be transferred to the new support. The basement benching process is often cheaper than underpinning and usually doesn’t require your neighbours to sign off (if you have a shared foundation). However, it is worth noting that, as a result of this process, a bench will be created inside your basement which will take away some space. See some designer-benched foundation ideas in this post.
- Crawlspace Conversion: A common variation of the underpinning that applies specifically to crawlspaces. Our team will dig underneath the crawl space and transform it into a fully livable basement during the crawlspace transformation process.
How Basement Floor Lowering Works
Underpinning projects are complex. Simply lowering the basement floor is not enough, as this may compromise the structural integrity of the whole building. At Aquamaster, our professionals dig under your property’s existing foundation while pouring new footings to increase its load-bearing capacity.
The Aquamaster Underpinning Process
Our process starts with an initial property visit, followed by a service quote. After signing the paperwork, our experts will carefully examine your property and create a step-by-step project plan. This plan includes a detailed outline of project requirements, including the necessary building code permits. Project requirements may vary depending on the property’s location, excavation depth, whether the property has a detached or shared foundation, plumbing, and electrical work.
The actual underpinning process follows the initial preparation. Underpinning projects are complex, but working with an insured and licensed team assures that your project will go smoothly as planned. Here’s a guide to our underpinning service:
1. Initial Assessment
A professional engineer will thoroughly assess the existing foundation, soil conditions, and structural needs. This assessment helps determine the project’s scope and identifies potential challenges or risks.
2. Removing the Concrete Floor
Breaking and removing heavy concrete slabs is not easy, but professional underpinning contractors have special equipment to do it. Conveyer belts, wheel barrels, and other equipment are used to expedite and simplify this process.
3. Excavation
4. Temporary Support
5. Underpinning Construction
6. Curing & Monitoring
Once the construction is complete, the newly installed foundation materials are left to cure and harden. The curing time can vary depending on the type of materials used. During this period, the building may be monitored to ensure stability and detect any signs of movement or stress.
7. Repeat the Process
Steps 2 to 5 are repeated for each section of the foundation until the desired depth or structural requirements are achieved.
8. Finishing & Waterproofing
After the underpinning is completed, any necessary finishing work, such as backfilling the excavated area and restoring the surface, is carried out. Waterproofing measures, such as installing drainage systems, sump pumps, and waterproof membranes, may also be implemented to prevent water infiltration and ensure a dry basement.
How Much Does Underpinning in Toronto Cost?
How Long Does it Take to Lower a Basement Floor in Toronto?
Other Services Related to Basement Underpinning
Underpinning is often combined with other services. Together they help turn your basement into a more convenient and usable space. Aquamaster also offers some of these services, including:
Crawlspace Conversion
How to Get Started
- Get in touch with Aquamaster to book a free on-site consultation.
- We will provide you with an architect/engineer to obtain permits OR you may find one yourself.
- The architect/engineer will obtain permits and will expedite them according to your timeline.
- Set the commencement date for the project and get to work!
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the answers to some of the questions we often hear about our basement underpinning services.
How do I know if basement underpinning is right for me?
Ask yourself these questions before hiring contractors to know if basement underpinning is right for you:
- Do you have enough funds to cover the expenses? While a very cost-effective service, basement underpinning projects are fairly expensive to complete.
- How do you want to use your basement? Think about how you want to use your basement — a gym, a living room, a nanny suite, or a rental unit — as this will impact the scope of the basement underpinning work.
- Do you need additional services in addition to the underpinning work? If you are planning to renovate your basement, ask our team about basement waterproofing measures we can take to prevent future water leaks. Water may come up from the basement floor, leak through wall cracks, etc. Waterproofing in advance will help save on future costs of redoing renovations, such as replacing floors or drywall.
Can a basement floor be lowered from 5 feet to 8 or 9 feet?
Yes, it is possible. Our team will need to examine the details, but most basement underpinning projects involve lowering the basement floor from 5 feet to around 9 feet.
How much does basement lowering cost in Toronto?
An average basement underpinning project in Toronto costs $50,000 to $70,000. It’s priced at $80-$350 per linear foot and, on average, involves lowering the basement floor by 2 to 2.5 feet. Bench footing is a more affordable approach for adding ceiling height to the basement if you have a limited budget.
Is basement underpinning more cost-effective compared to home additions?
Yes, basement underpinning is more cost-effective compared to home additions. The cost of an average underpinning project is $50,000-$70,000. According to VBM Contracting, an average home addition costs $400,000 to $800,000. Lowering your basement floor and adding a walkout entrance can accomplish the same goal as a home addition, costing less per square foot and saving you from using up expensive land.
What other projects are commonly done along with underpinning in Toronto?
A fully finished and waterproof basement can involve basement underpinning, walkout construction, interior or exterior waterproofing, concrete slab pouring and more.
What is slabjacking and foundation piering?
Basement piering and slabjacking are two techniques used to repair sinking foundations. Slabjacking helps put the foundation back in place by using a special mixture that is pumped under the foundation. Meanwhile, foundation piering relies on hydraulics to push the foundation back to its original position.
How long does it take to lower a basement floor in Toronto?
On average, basement underpinning takes 35 to 40 days to complete. The specific duration of your basement underpinning in Toronto will depend on the project’s complexity, the final ceiling height needed, and the difficulty of accessing the basement.
Your project will take less time if your basement is easy to access (for soil removal, concrete removal, and other concrete tasks) or if your foundation does not require extensive repair. However, if your basement has a deep layer of concrete floor or reinforced concrete floor, if it is hard to access, or if you are looking to lower the basement by more than 2 to 2.5 feet, the process will take longer.
Services by Licenced Experts in Toronto
Why Choose Us for Basement Underpinning in Toronto?
Why Choose Aquamaster for Waterproofing?
Here's why 3,000+ customers across the GTA choose Aquamaster Waterproofing:
Warranty
Coverage
We offer a fully transferable, 25-year warranty on work, materials, and labour.
Services
We have a team available 24 hours a day, ready to handle your emergency plumbing or waterproofing needs.
and Insured
Our team is fully licensed and insured to provide waterproofing, plumbing, underpinning, and concrete services.
Price
All our first-time customers get 10% off their first service.
Expertise
Aquamaster Waterproofing has been in business since 2009. With our decades of expertise, you can rest assured your project is in the right hands.
South Ontario
We are your neighbour and understand the specific waterproofing needs of properties in the GTA.
Materials
Our goal is to provide you with the best possible service, so we only use top-tier materials to make it happen.
of Mind
Our team of professionals carefully plans everything, from consultation to project completion, to give you peace of mind.
Don't Take Our Word for It!
Waterproofing and Leak Repair Process
Initial Consultation
Reach out to one of our certified experts for a personalized consultation. We’ll evaluate your needs and recommend the most effective solution for your waterproofing or leak repair project.
Contract Signing
Once we’ve tailored a plan to meet your requirements, we’ll formalize it with a clear contract that outlines every aspect of your project to ensure transparency.
Work Completion and Warranty
Our skilled contractors will complete the job, and you’ll enjoy peace of mind with our 25-year transferrable warranty.
Proudly Serving Toronto and Beyond
