Basement lowering, also known as underpinning, is a highly beneficial renovation method in Toronto, where space and foundation improvements are crucial. Whether for creating additional living space or enhancing property value, this technique offers several advantages.

1. Increased Living Space

Basement lowering allows homeowners to transform a damp, low-ceilinged basement into a fully functional living area. Whether you need an extra bedroom, home office, or entertainment space, underpinning can give you the height and stability needed for modern comforts. Many Toronto homes, especially older ones, have basements with limited headroom. Lowering the basement floor solves this issue, making the space more usable and comfortable.

Moreover, when you convert your basement into livable space, you’re essentially expanding your home’s square footage without altering its external footprint. This can be a major selling point if you plan to put your property on the market, as buyers increasingly look for homes with finished basements that offer additional living quarters or rental potential.

2. Enhanced Property Value

Basement lowering is not just about expanding your usable space—it’s also a significant investment in your home’s value. In Toronto’s competitive real estate market, homes with finished basements tend to fetch higher prices than those without. Buyers often seek homes that offer extra living areas, whether for personal use or as a rental income opportunity. By increasing ceiling height and improving the overall condition of the basement, you’re directly contributing to your home’s resale value.

Basement underpinning can also serve as a foundation improvement, solving issues such as cracks, leaks, or uneven floors that might deter future buyers. Addressing these foundational problems before they worsen not only boosts your property’s structural integrity but also enhances its market appeal.

3. Improved Structural Stability

In homes where the foundation has weakened or deteriorated over time, basement lowering can reinforce the structural integrity of the entire house. This is especially important in Toronto’s older neighborhoods, where many homes were built over a century ago and might not meet modern construction standards.

Basement lowering, when done professionally, strengthens your home’s foundation, making it more resistant to shifting soil, water damage, and other environmental factors that can lead to structural problems. By reinforcing the foundation, you also ensure that your home remains safe, stable, and durable for years to come.

4. Better Energy Efficiency

Another often-overlooked benefit of basement lowering is improved energy efficiency. By upgrading the basement, including the insulation and waterproofing systems, you can reduce drafts and moisture levels in your home. A well-insulated basement helps to maintain a consistent temperature, reducing the strain on your HVAC system and lowering your energy bills.

Additionally, Toronto’s cold winters can cause energy loss in poorly insulated basements. By investing in underpinning and upgrading the basement’s insulation, you’ll make your home more comfortable and cost-efficient. This improvement is not only good for your wallet but also reduces your home’s environmental footprint.

5. Solving Moisture and Water Issues

Moisture control is a critical concern for many Toronto homeowners, particularly those with unfinished or old basements. Basement lowering allows you to install modern waterproofing solutions, such as sump pumps, drainage systems, and vapor barriers, which protect against leaks, flooding, and humidity.

Water damage can lead to mold growth, structural damage, and health issues. Underpinning your basement and integrating these solutions ensures a dry, healthy space, providing peace of mind during Toronto’s rainy seasons and thawing periods.

The Basement Lowering Process

Basement lowering involves several stages to ensure structural integrity and a successful outcome. The process starts with a thorough assessment of the foundation and soil conditions. This step is crucial in determining how much the basement can be lowered and whether there are any underlying issues, such as moisture or structural weaknesses, that need to be addressed beforehand.

Steps in the Basement Lowering Process:

  1. Excavation: The basement floor is dug out to the desired depth. This is a delicate process that requires precision to avoid damaging the existing foundation.
  2. Foundation Underpinning: Once the desired depth is reached, the foundation walls are supported using various underpinning methods, such as bench footing or traditional underpinning. This step strengthens the structure and ensures that the home remains stable.
  3. Waterproofing and Insulation: After the foundation is secured, waterproofing measures are implemented to protect the newly created space from leaks and moisture. Insulation is also installed to improve energy efficiency and comfort.
  4. Floor Installation: Finally, a new concrete floor is poured to create a solid, level surface. This is the finishing touch that transforms the space into a functional area.

Each of these steps requires expertise and specialized equipment, making it essential to hire a professional contractor with experience in basement lowering. Attempting to DIY this project could result in serious structural issues or even collapse.

Cost Considerations for Basement Lowering

While the benefits of basement lowering are clear, homeowners must also consider the costs involved. The price of basement lowering varies depending on several factors, including the size of the space, the depth of the excavation, and the complexity of the underpinning process.

Factors Influencing the Cost of Basement Lowering:

  1. Size of the Basement: Larger basements require more materials, labor, and time to complete the project, which increases costs.
  2. Depth of Lowering: The deeper you plan to lower the basement, the more excavation work will be required. Deeper basements also demand more robust underpinning methods to ensure the structural integrity of the foundation.
  3. Foundation Condition: If your foundation has pre-existing issues, such as cracks or uneven settlement, these will need to be addressed during the basement lowering process, which can add to the overall cost.
  4. Waterproofing and Drainage Systems: Installing or upgrading waterproofing measures, like sump pumps or exterior drainage systems, can raise the total cost but are crucial for long-term protection against water damage.

On average, basement lowering can cost anywhere from $20,000 to $50,000, depending on these variables. While this may seem like a significant investment, the long-term benefits in terms of increased property value and usable space often outweigh the initial expenditure.

Risks and Challenges of Basement Lowering

While basement lowering offers many advantages, it is not without risks. Homeowners need to be aware of the potential challenges and ensure they are prepared to address them with the help of a professional contractor.

1. Structural Risks: Improper excavation or underpinning can lead to foundation instability, which could cause cracks in the walls, uneven floors, or in the worst-case scenario, collapse. This is why hiring an experienced contractor is critical to the success of the project.

2. Water Damage: In areas like Toronto, where basements are often susceptible to flooding, poor waterproofing can result in significant water damage. Ensuring the basement is properly sealed and equipped with drainage systems is key to preventing long-term moisture problems.

3. Disruption During Construction: Basement lowering is a major renovation, and homeowners should be prepared for disruptions during the process. The excavation, noise, and dust can affect day-to-day living, particularly if you remain in the home during construction.

4. Permits and Regulations: In Toronto, basement lowering requires building permits and adherence to local building codes. Ensuring that your contractor is knowledgeable about these requirements can prevent costly delays and fines.

Alternative Uses for a Lowered Basement

Once the basement lowering project is complete, homeowners can transform the space in several creative ways. Here are some potential uses for your newly lowered basement:

  • Rental Suite: In Toronto’s competitive rental market, many homeowners convert their basements into legal secondary suites. With proper plumbing, ventilation, and natural lighting, a basement apartment can generate significant rental income.
  • Home Gym: A spacious basement can easily accommodate a home gym, complete with equipment, rubber flooring, and soundproofing.
  • Home Theatre: Transform your basement into a cozy home theatre by installing comfortable seating, a projector, and surround sound.
  • Wine Cellar: For wine enthusiasts, a basement offers the perfect conditions for storing wine at optimal temperatures. With a little extra effort, you can create a stunning wine cellar that adds a touch of luxury to your home.

Conclusion: A Smart Investment for Toronto Homeowners

Basement lowering provides an excellent opportunity for Toronto homeowners to increase their living space, boost property value, and improve energy efficiency. While the upfront costs can be significant, the long-term benefits, such as enhanced structural stability and additional living quarters, make it a worthwhile investment. Furthermore, with careful planning and the right contractor, the risks associated with the process can be mitigated, ensuring a successful and stress-free project.

For those seeking to maximize their property’s potential, basement lowering is a smart solution. Whether you’re looking to create a rental suite, expand your family’s living space, or simply improve your home’s foundation, basement lowering offers numerous rewards that make it a top renovation choice in Toronto.

Contact Nusite Group today to elarn about your basement lowering options in Toronto.

Digging out a basement (also known an Underpinning or Basement Lowering) can be an ideal way to add some room or additional living space to your home and can often be less expensive than adding room by going upward or outward, which usually requires special permits and lots of red tape.   The best option can be chosen after considering a few factors such as design, feasibility, function, and the cost.

Why Underpinning is Popular in Toronto

Underpinning is a popular option for homeowners in Toronto due to high real estate prices and the fact properties tend to be on smaller lots.  Who wants to give up precious yard space to an extension?

If you intend on adding a finished basement to your dwelling you’ll also need to consider the stability and safety precautions since they’re different underground when compared to other floors of the home. And you also have to ensure that your basement is fully waterproofed and damp free before finishing your basement.

Starting Basement Dig Out Process - Underpinning

If your home already has a basement with decent ceiling height, then digging it out will be relatively inexpensive compared to starting from scratch. Once you have to start digging down several feet or lift the home to add a basement the cost will generally be comparable to adding a ground-level addition to the home. In general, a basement needs about a seven to eight-foot ceiling along with footing drains and foundation walls. If you currently have a basement with the ceiling height lower than seven feet then a digging will usually need to be done

Concrete and dirt will need to be removed when digging a few feet down and the existing concrete footings will need new ones made below them. In addition, a new concrete slab floor will need to be poured. If the home just has crawl space or the existing foundation isn’t adequate enough, then the house may need to be lifted to pour the slab and foundation walls. You’ll be able to install some form of insulation under a new concrete slab to improve the energy efficiency of the area. The new slab will enable you to place radiant heat tubes in the concrete to help heat the basement. Radiant heat could also be used for the entire home if you choose and it could result in more ceiling height if the old ductwork is removed.

Basement is Dug Out of Toronto Home

An egress, which is basically an emergency exit, should also be created. The local building codes will determine exactly where and how big the egress should be. In many cases, a large window that has a low sill is adequate since people can climb out of it of needed. A door can also be used as an egress which means a new door will need to be installed if the house sits on a sloped lot or a concrete stairwell will need to be dug. The question of connecting to the sewer line also needs to be answered when digging out a basement. If you know how deep the line is you’ll know if the basement can be drained by gravity or if water will need to be pushed upwards with a pump.

walkout-basement-apartment-toronto

Another thing you need to consider is how much light will there be in your basement. If you’re using a window as an egress then the light will be fine in that specific area. But you may prefer adding more windows for additional light and/or a more open feeling in the room as well as glass exterior and/or interior doors. Homes with an existing basement will likely already have exterior or interior stairs for access to it. However, you typically have the option if relocating them if you choose as you may be able to free up some extra space by doing so.

Framing of Basement in Toronto After Being Dug Out

If digging out the basement sounds like the ideal way to add living space to your home, it’s imperative that the area is dry. Some basements have a history of flooding or being wet and damp and this would need to be resolved first. For instance, two inches of rain running off the roof of a 2,000 square-foot house can produce more than 2,000 gallons of water. To help solve flooding in a basement, it’s important there are no cracks in the foundation, the gutters aren’t clogged, and the ground doesn’t slope towards the home.

Finishing a walkout basement in Toronto

There are several solutions to a wet basement such as excavating around the home’s perimeter as well as installing drains along the inside of basement walls. For more information and advice on Underpinning your basement  please feel free to contact our team of foundation-repair professionals at Nusite Contractors for a free inspection and written estimate. Our work is fully certified, insured, and guaranteed as well as made to last.  We serve Toronto and the surrounding GTA.

Getting ready to finish your basement?  Better check for foundation cracks before putting up that drywall!

Any home repair project involves looking into the future—you can picture the finished product, say a carpeted basement with a TV set or maybe a bedroom for your teenage son.  Looking far ahead is great, but it’s important to switch focus, looking into the distant future but also into the immediate future.  The latter is where you’ll find some things you have to do to prepare.

If you plan to finish your basement, putting in a finishing wall and some sort of flooring, you have to make sure the foundation is in good condition first.  An approach similar to turning up the radio when your car is making a noise simply will not work—don’t carpet over floor cracks that could potentially leak water or put up walls over foundation wall cracks thinking that out of sight is out of mind.  You’ll be setting yourself far back by hiding increasing damage.

We repair hundreds of basement a year here in Toronto and some of the hardest, more so for the homeowner watching their drywall get stripped away, are basements that have already been finished.

First, The Symptoms

If you have spotted cracks in your foundation—or perhaps the water that has seeped in as a result—the first thing is to shore up the damage.  You may use caulking or other home-repair methods to take care of the crack itself.  Keep in mind, though, that sealing from the inside won’t be enough—in a minute we’ll discuss structural damage of which cracks are a symptom.  You will need to dig to access the outside of your basement wall or floor and seal from the outside—this is where an experienced waterproofing company comes in..

 

The Disease

It’s extremely important to realize that a crack in your basement is not some isolated event or happenstance.  It is a symptom of a larger disease.  There’s no way you can have a crack in your foundation without it being a sign of a larger problem.

 

Settled Foundation

Cracks are often caused by your foundation settling—or sinking—into the soil.  This is also referred to as floating, which means your foundation is actually moving around slightly with the soil, which is what causes cracking.  This might require piering of your foundation—definitely a job for a contractor—or might be remedied by adding rebar or fiber to the concrete to improve its strength.  The point is that merely filling a crack and then spending the money to finish your basement instead of fixing the settling does not make sense.  You have to fix the disease, not the symptom.

 

Drainage Problems

Horizontal cracks are likely caused by water drained from your roof.  The water from your downspouts may be directed too close to the ground surrounding your basement.  This pushes too much water into the ground, which then freezes.  In addition to fixing the actual cracks, then, consult an expert and make sure you have your gutters and downspouts working and aligned properly to not cause further cracking.

 

Bowed Foundation Walls

If the walls of your basement have been subjected to so much pressure that they are actually slightly caving in, or bowed, you have a larger problem.  This situation calls for a contractor to either do some piering referred to above or to use carbon fiber strips to properly support the wall.

 

Give your basement a good inspection before you start

The best thing you can do is thoroughly inspect your basement before a renovation.  If you have issues such as doors not closing properly, water seepage, or sloping floors, you almost certainly have a problem that must be fixed.  It will of course be extremely hard to fix an issue once you’ve finished the basement, so do yourself a huge favor and fix it first.

Have questions about cracks in your foundation?  Before you start your basement renovations, feel free to contact us for a free in-home inspection of your foundation.