Bench Footing Toronto
Welcome to Aquamaster – your trusted source of bench footing in Toronto. Our team has all the tools & expertise needed to lower the floors of your basement without disturbing the outside of your home.
Get one of our bench footing experts in Toronto to help design & execute your project today!
What is Bench Footing?
When to Consider Bench Footing Installation?
Basement bench footing in Toronto can bring a number of benefits – from basement floor lowering to potentially strengthening the foundation of your property.
One of the most common reasons to get bench footing services for your basement. In many cases, basements have low ceilings which can make them inconvenient to live in. This method solves this problem by lowering the floors and making the space more comfortable.
If your home needs foundation repairs, bench footing may be the right way to approach the job. Our engineers can help evaluate the extent of the foundation damage and design the right solution to strengthen it for years to come.
It is often cheaper to choose these services compared to adding a floor to your house if you are hoping to add more livable space. Should you decide to sell, potential buyers may be willing to pay more for your home.
Bench footing, combined with basement walkout construction can turn your basement into a stand-alone unit with its own entrance, windows, and ceiling of the same height as any other floor on your property.
Bench footing installation can be a cost-effective way to lower basement floors in your house. This is one of the steps that you may need in order to potentially rent out your basement.
Bench Footing Pros & Cons
Benefits of Bench Footing
- Speed: Compared to basement underpinning, bench footing is less time consuming
- Affordability: It is a more affordable method of basement floor lowering
- Simplicity: Less excavation work will need to be done vs underpinning
- No Foundation Impact: Does not involve modifications to existing foundation walls
- Shared Walls: If you share walls with a neighbor who doesn’t want to dig under the foundation, bench footing installation may be the right option to lower the floor vs underpinning
Bench Footing Considerations:
- Reduced Space: May reduce the amount of space in your basement
- Crack Repairs: Doesn’t involve crack repairs
- May Not Add Value: In some cases, bench footing may not add value to your property
The Bench Footing Process
It is important to keep in mind that the installation process will vary depending on factors such as the specifics of your property and your objectives. Here is a high-level example of a typical basement bench footing in Toronto.
- Initial Assessment & Permits: A professional contractor, architect, and engineer from Aquamaster will visit the site and conduct a thorough assessment of the existing structure, soil conditions, and the feasibility of this basement lowering technique. Based on the assessment, professional drawings will be created for the project. Bench footing installation involves structural work and city permits will be required in order to complete the work. This process can take up to a month to complete.
- Excavation: The first step in bench footing installation is to excavate the existing basement floor. This is done systematically in sections or levels to create the desired depth and configuration. Excavation can be done manually or with the help of machinery, depending on the project requirements and site constraints.
- Installation of Temporary Supports: As the excavation progresses, temporary supports such as shoring or underpinning are installed to ensure the stability of the existing structure. These supports help distribute the load and prevent any potential collapse or movement during the excavation process.
- Construction of Bench Levels: Once the initial excavation is complete, our team will construct the bench levels or steps within the excavated area. This involves creating horizontal platforms or benches at different depths to establish a new floor elevation. The dimensions and number of bench levels will depend on the specific project requirements and design plans.
- Installation of Permanent Structural Supports: With the bench levels in place, permanent structural supports are installed to provide long-term stability. These may include reinforced concrete footings, walls, beams, or columns.
- Waterproofing & Insulation: After the bench levels and structural supports are in place, interior waterproofing measures, such as the installation of drainage systems or membranes, may be implemented to protect the newly created space from water penetration. Additionally, insulation may be added to enhance energy efficiency and maintain a comfortable living environment.
- Finishing & Customization: Once the structural components are complete, the new space can be finished according to the desired functionality and aesthetic preferences. This may involve electrical and plumbing work, wall framing, flooring, and any other desired customizations.
Make sure to discuss every detail of your project with a professional contractor. Get one of our bench footing experts in Toronto on the phone today & receive 10% Off your project!
Basement Underpinning vs Bench Footing
These are related techniques used in construction and renovation projects, particularly when modifying or expanding existing structures. While there may be some overlap in their applications, there are distinct differences between the two:
Purpose:
- Bench Footing: Bench footing typically refers to the excavation and creation of multiple horizontal levels or benches within an existing basement area. Perfect for basement lowering in Toronto, the goal is to create additional usable space while maintaining the overall stability of the structure.
- Basement Underpinning: Involving strengthening the foundation of a structure to increase its load-bearing capacity or to provide support when altering the existing foundation, the primary purposes are to stabilize the foundation, address structural issues, or enable vertical expansion of the building.
Focus:
- Bench Footing: The focus of bench footing is primarily on modifying the basement area itself by excavating and creating bench levels. It aims to maximize the usable space and improve the overall functionality of the basement.
- Basement Underpinning: Underpinning focuses on reinforcing and stabilizing the foundation of the entire structure. It addresses foundation problems, such as settling or inadequate support, and allows for vertical expansion or the addition of additional stories.
Scope:
- Bench Footing: This method typically involves working within the existing basement area and modifying its floor levels. It may involve excavation, structural support installation, and finishing work within the confines of the basement space.
- Basement Underpinning: These projects generally extend beyond the basement area. The underpinning process involves excavating and reinforcing the existing foundation, often extending down to the footing level. It can include work in the basement, crawl spaces, or even the entire foundation of the building.
Structural Considerations:
- Bench Footing: The focus of bench footing is to create stable horizontal levels within the basement by implementing additional structural supports and ensuring the stability of the excavated area.
- Basement Underpinning: Underpinning addresses structural concerns by reinforcing the foundation, typically through the installation of new footings, piers, or beams. The aim is to enhance the load-bearing capacity and stability of the entire structure.
While these two methods serve different purposes, they can sometimes be used together in a comprehensive renovation or expansion project. For example, underpinning may be performed to strengthen the foundation, followed by bench footing installation for basement lowering to create additional living space.
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