Did you know that basement underpinning can increase your home’s value by up to 25% while also reinforcing its structural integrity? If you’ve noticed cracks in your foundation, uneven floors, or doors that won’t close properly, you might need underpinning to strengthen and stabilize your basement.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about basement underpinning, including what it is, why it’s needed, and how the process works—especially if you own a home in Toronto’s shifting soil conditions.

As a contracting group specializing in basement underpinning in Toronto, we often get asked this simple question, “what is underpinning?”  Below is a brief answer to that question.

“Underpinning” is an industry term that’s generally used to describe reinforcing an existing foundation. This may be to shore-up a structure that was poorly built originally or has degraded over time, is subject to subsidence or land-slippage, or is being prepared to carry extra weight.  Underpinning is also performed when a homeowner wants to have their basement foundation dug out to increase the ceiling height of their basement.  This is also known as basement lowering.

What Is Basement Underpinning?

Basement underpinning is the process of reinforcing and deepening your home’s foundation. This is done by extending the foundation deeper into the ground or strengthening existing supports. The process is commonly used for:

  • Fixing foundation issues caused by soil movement, water damage, or poor construction.
  • Increasing basement height to create livable space, such as a finished basement.
  • Improving home value by adding square footage and reinforcing structural integrity.

Why Do Homes Need Underpinning?

If you’re unsure whether your home needs underpinning, here are some common warning signs:

Visible cracks in basement walls or floors
Uneven floors or sinking sections of the house
Doors and windows that stick or won’t close properly
Gaps forming between walls and ceilings
Moisture or water leaks in the basement

These issues often occur due to Toronto’s freeze-thaw cycle, which causes soil expansion and contraction, leading to foundation shifts over time.

Different Methods of Basement Underpinning

Not all homes require the same type of underpinning. The method used depends on factors like soil conditions, foundation structure, and the extent of foundation damage. Here are the four primary basement underpinning methods:

1. Mass Concrete Underpinning (Traditional Method)

🔹 Best for: Older homes with simple foundation structures.
🔹 Process: This method involves excavating small sections beneath the foundation in a phased approach and filling them with concrete. The new concrete reinforces the existing foundation, making it stronger and more stable.
🔹 Advantages:
✅ Cost-effective for minor foundation adjustments.
✅ Minimal disruption compared to other methods.
✅ Suitable for shallow foundations.
🔹 Disadvantages:
❌ Not ideal for homes with deep foundations or poor soil conditions.

2. Beam and Base Underpinning

🔹 Best for: Homes with uneven weight distribution or structural weaknesses in load-bearing walls.
🔹 Process: This method uses reinforced concrete beams to transfer the weight of the structure onto a newly built base below the existing foundation. The base provides additional stability while minimizing movement in weak soil.
🔹 Advantages:
✅ Provides superior structural reinforcement.
✅ Can be used in conjunction with mass concrete underpinning for extra stability.
🔹 Disadvantages:
❌ More complex and expensive than mass concrete underpinning.
❌ Requires detailed engineering calculations to ensure proper weight distribution.

3. Pile Underpinning

🔹 Best for: Homes with unstable soil conditions, deep foundations, or significant structural issues.
🔹 Process: Piles (either concrete, steel, or helical screws) are driven deep into the ground to reach stable soil layers. The building’s weight is then transferred onto these piles, preventing future settlement.
🔹 Advantages:
✅ Ideal for homes built on weak or shifting soil.
✅ Suitable for deep foundations or structures with heavy loads.
✅ Can be used in high-water table areas where other methods fail.
🔹 Disadvantages:
❌ More expensive due to specialized equipment and labor.
❌ Requires professional engineering assessment before installation.

4. Bench Footing (Alternative to Underpinning)

🔹 Best for: Homeowners who want to increase basement height without excavating beneath the foundation.
🔹 Process: Instead of digging under the foundation, concrete “benches” are built inside the basement along the perimeter walls. These benches provide additional structural support while allowing the basement floor to be lowered within the existing foundation walls.
🔹 Advantages:
✅ More affordable than traditional underpinning.
✅ Does not disturb the existing foundation, reducing structural risks.
✅ Faster construction process compared to other underpinning methods.
🔹 Disadvantages:
❌ Reduces usable floor space due to the concrete bench encroaching into the room.
❌ May not be as effective for homes with serious foundation issues.

Stages in the Process

If there was a single basement job not recommended for amateurs or the uninsured), then basement underpinning has to be the one. Get it right, and you’ll add significant value to your home. Get it wrong though, and you could end up damaging the fabric of your house.

Appoint a licensed structural engineer with a record of completed jobs, to prepare statutory documents and obtain approval for the job.

Appoint a basement-underpinning contractor who’s similarly experienced to complete the following work:

Toronto home underpinning

 

  • Remove a small section of the existing foundation to obtain access underground, and replace it with a load-bearing joist.

 

  • Excavate alternate strips to the required depth, and pour shuttered reinforced concrete beneath the exposed sections of foundation.

 

  • When the new foundations are completely cured, complete the balance of the basement underpinning.

 

  • Lay a new floor when everything is stable, and build out the interior of the extended space.

Cost-Benefit Analysis

Houses are valued in terms of living space. A new basement could therefore increase the value of your home by up to 10% – and you get more living space too. Basements are especially popular when it comes to extending homes, because they retain existing footprints, and seldom affect the neighbors.

However, you are effectively building your house “upside down” by adding the walls and floor when the roof’s up already. While the job’s in process the structural integrity of the entire building is compromised in the short-run. If it fails, then your new basement could end up costing you a whole lot more than it’s worth.

Is Basement Underpinning Worth It?

If you’re planning to finish your basement, improve your home’s structural stability, or increase its value, underpinning is a worthwhile investment. Not only does it expand your home’s living space, but it also ensures your foundation is safe and stable for years to come.

Get a Professional Assessment

If you’ve noticed signs of foundation issues, don’t wait! Contact Nusite Group today for a free consultation and expert advice on the best underpinning solution for your home.

Considering a basement lowering project for your home?  Lowering your basement is not your everyday home improvement project, though with the real estate prices in Toronto and the scarcity of land, it is a great option for expanding your living space without losing precious yard space.  If you want to find out more about basement lowering, read on.

Homeowners here in Toronto often ask about lowering their basement.  It’s easy to see why many select this option for their home.  In a process sometimes called underpinning, the basement floor is actually dug out a couple feet down.  This makes the basement more accessible and usable and can add to the value of a home.  Not only does it change a basement into better-added space, it also adds structural integrity to the home.

Underpinning job in Toronto home

Basement Lowering Project in Toronto Home

Preparing for the Basement Lowering Quote

As with any home improvement type project, there a few things that every homeowner should know and understand before they begin the basement lowering process.  When it comes to your basement, of course, you are looking for a foundation or underpinning contractor who is a professional and experienced with the type of work you desire.  You’ll want to find a company that has been in business for awhile, is specifically insured for this type of underpinning work and one that can provide you with plenty of references since this type of project can be disastrous if done wrong.  When it comes to the structural integrity of your home, it’s always worth checking out a underpinning contractor thoroughly before hiring.

You may find companies who are willing to bid your job on the spot without drawings, without further knowledge or testing.  That ballpark bid could end up increasing drastically after you hire as there are many variable to consider and it means they have not gone through the process properly in order to give an accurate quote, they assume they can just get the job and overbill you later after the project has started and is harder for you to back out.

A reputable underpinning company will need to see exactly what you expect them to do.  Part of the process could include demolition and drilling test holes before beginning as well as working with an engineer.  Often, when this part of the process is not done, the homeowner’s preference change and the company ends up with discrepancies in their work order that need to be resolved.

Hiring an Architect or Engineer

Part of the process for lowering your basement should include getting quotes from at least two professionals for drawings and determining which architect or engineer you plan to use before you even have a contractor come out.  Doing this part of the process ahead of time shows the contractor that you are serious about the process and will educate you on how the entire process works.  When a contractor knows you really do plan to have the work done, they don’t mind the 3 to 5 hours that are involved in coming up with a pricing estimate.  If you skip this step and ask a contractor for a bid on a basement lowering project without doing your due diligence you may end up with a range of pricing that is arbitrary and on down the road it may have no connection with the work performed.

An experienced underpinning contractor will only work with reputable architects and engineers with experience in basement lowering and can recommend one if needed.  Here at Nusite, we work with several very reputable engineering firms and architects that specialize in basement lowering.

Drawing/Plan Approval

The basement lowering drawings you received from your architect or engineer typically need to be certified and then sent for approval for a building permit., at least here in Toronto.  The inspector may recommend changes that will need to be marked on your approved drawings.  This is not an easy task so you want to make sure you have an experienced craftsman leading this project.

Understanding the Basement Lowering Quote

To understand your underpinning contractor and his pricing and process, it’s important to note that basement lowering is a very time-consuming, labor-intensive process. And a challenging project from an engineering standpoint.  Your contractor will need to follow those drawings accurately and that takes skill and experience.  Compare quotes between a couple different contractors and check to make sure the scope of work is the same on both of them.

There have been several well documented disasters in Toronto involving unqualified contractors and houses falling down due to improper shoring during the basement lowering process.  If you hire an unqualified and under-insured contractor, you the homeowner will bear most of the responsibility and legal consequences if workers or civilians get injured due to negligent work.

Scheduling the Work

When you decide upon a plan and agree on a price with your underpinning contractor, the work can be scheduled.  A contractor may be able to schedule quickly and be out in a few days or in may take weeks.  As always when dealing with a contractor, being busy is a good thing.  You don’t want to hire a contractor who isn’t busy.  It’s a bit like going to a restaurant where no one else eats and expecting a wonderful meal.

Here in Toronto, the Spring and Summer are usually the busy times for basement lowering contractors but since the work is indoors, this work can be done during the winter and you may have a better time finding an available underpinning contractor for your project.  Winter may also be a great time to head south to warmer climates while the work is being done on your home.

The Work Process

The unerpinning contractor will begin by measuring and marking everything out prior to beginning.  They dig out the basement slab and typically lower the floor 1-3 feet.  They will also shore up the underpinning or sidewall area to ensure structural stability.  We then carry out our lowering process, either bench footing (creating a bench to support the dirt underneath the foundation wall) or we underpin (directly removing the soil underneath the foundation wall and replacing it with concrete).

Once that is accomplished they typically waterproof the interior of the basement foundation, put down gravel then pour a new floor.  They also place a waterproofing membrane connected to a sump pump on the interior to help keep your basement dry.  The amount of time it takes and the cost of the project can very base on the size of your basement.  Some projects take a few days (mostly repairs) and some can extend into many weeks (average full job is 3-6 weeks).  While it is difficult to provide a price without drawings and discussions with the homeowner, you can expect this type of specialty work to run between $20,000-$50,000.

Toronto Finished Basement After Underpinning

Toronto Finished Basement After Underpinning

Project Completion

When the basement lowering project is completed, you should walk the job with the foreman or project manager.  You’ll want to check for anything that seems unfinished or anything that doesn’t look right. You want to check that the city and the engineer passed all inspections throughout the project.  Also check to make sure that your contractor and his crew cleaned up after they finished.  You shouldn’t see debris left behind unless your contractor has let you know ahead of time that you are responsible for cleaning it up.  In most cases, the contractor does the clean up and removal unless otherwise agreed upon.

Do I Really Want to Do This?

Basement underpinning is by no means, a small undertaking as you probably understand by now.  There is research, time and money involved and may seem a little complex.  Yes, it takes preparation, thoroughness and quite a bit of your hard earned money.  If you find the right contractor, your project will go much smoother.  They are the expert, let them do their job.  Having underpinning done will also gives you more usable space that you can enjoy for years to come and adds value to your home.  In today’s real estate marketing, adding that value (which does not increase your property tax) can go a long way to helping the home sell.  Making the right decisions and following the process it takes to do the job correctly will be beneficial in the long run.

Nusite Contractors are basement lowering experts in Toronto and have successfully completed hundreds of underpinning projects in Toronto and the GTA and can provide references upon request.  If you live in the Greater Toronto Area and have questions about lowering your basement, feel free to contact us here, we’re happy to answer any questions and explain how the whole basement lowering project works.  We can also recommend experienced architects and engineers if you are interested in getting started.

Home remodeling projects take a vast amount of time, planning and monetary investment, yet homeowners, realtors and families can all benefit. The value returned varies, but depending on the project it can significantly increase a home’s worth, aesthetic appeal and comfort level or solve a particular problem.

No matter what the home remodeling project is, there are certain steps that need to be taken in order for the project to flow efficiently, while completing it to its fullest extent.

1. Find a Purpose

What’s the point of starting a home remodeling project without finding its purpose first? A project’s purpose gives motive for homeowners and guides the project in the right direction. Before embarking on any remodeling endeavor ask yourself, ‘what do I need and why?’

a.      Increase Value:  Homeowners and realtors may find the need to increase the value of their homes prior to selling. They mightn’t even sell anytime soon, but want to prepare for when that time comes.
b.      Expand Family:  Families may look to grow, but don’t have the funds to move to a larger home or just don’t want to move from their current location. If either are the case, then expanding their current home is a great option.
c.       Solve a Problem:  Some homes may be decrepit and need foundation repair, mold removal services, a new paint job, etc. The purpose and direction of the project depends on what needs fixed.
d.      Increase Comfort:  Many homeowners simply want to increase the comfort of their homes. It’s possible they may have been planning this for some time and finally saved up the funds to start a project.
2.     Prioritize Options

Once you’ve found the purpose of the project, now it’s time to prioritize your options. The purpose helps prioritize the importance and order of what needs to be remodeled or repaired:

a.      Bathroom
b.      Basement
c.       Bedroom
d.      Kitchen

When in doubt, ask yourself, ‘does this relate to the purpose of the project?’ Will a new bathroom addition diffuse the clutter that a new family member will add to the household or will a finished basement actually be utilized enough to weigh the cost of renovating it in the first place?

3.     Schedule an Inspection

Every remodeling project should require an inspection. Whichever area of the house you plan on remodeling, it’s best to search for potential environmental hazards that might come back to damage your project later. Plus, it helps when you create your budget in step 4, since you’ll know what to expect.

a.      Water Damage:  Several homeowners don’t notice the damage that water has on the foundation or interiors of their homes. This could occur through a leak or a crack in the foundation. If you’re looking to remodel your basement, it’s recommended to schedule an inspection first, so cracked or weak concrete won’t ruin the newly remodeled basement later on.
b.      Mold:  If water leaks into an area with little to no ventilation, then mold will form, which is harmful to residents and a home’s environment. It is also difficult to notice since it usually lingers in dark or hard-to-see places, which is why an inspection will take care of this potential problem.

4.     Create a Budget

Homeowners will have a better understanding of how much a project will cost with an inspection because it notifies them of other potential problems they must take care of in the remodeling process. This also determines a project’s feasibility. Once the inspection is performed, it’s time to create a budget.

5.     Set a Deadline (If Needed, but Always Preferred)

Deadlines are helpful for many scenarios; if a project needs completed prior to selling a house, if a bedroom needs added prior to the arrival of a new family member or if a certain problem is on the verge of being an emergency. In either case, speed fixes many problems, plus cuts down on costs in the long run.

6.     Search for Professional Home Remodelers

You have your deadline and budget. Now, it’s time to search for the best home remodeling contractor for the job. This search can be done in several ways and through many medians.

a.      Local Directories: Highly authoritative and curated local directories are great resources for finding local services. Curated directories are important because they are built around the experience of the user, which makes it easier to find relevant services.
b.      Online Search:  We’ve all been there. Go to our favorite search engine, type in a key phrase and abracadabra…hundreds of options of indexed web pages that are ideally ranked to fit the relevance our search query. It almost never fails.
c.       Referrals:  Many small home remodelers acquire much of their work from referrals of past clients. Why? Because if they do a good job, then people will tell their family, friends and coworkers. So, ask around.

7.     Evaluate Options

After you narrow your search down to a select few, analyze their skills, certifications and experiences. This can be done through

a.      Reviews of Previous Clients
b.      Awards Earned from Past Projects
c.       Photos of Previous Projects

The more positive reviews, awards or recognition and proof of quality work a remodeler has, the greater the odds to hire that person will be.

8.     Receive Estimates and Time Frames

The next step is to find out how much each remodeler will charge and how quickly they are likely to complete the project. One might be quick, but may charge more and vice versa.

9.     Compare with Budget and Deadline

Analyze each remodeler’s skills, reviews, certifications, experiences, estimates and speed and compare them to your budget and how quickly you need the project completed. Much thought and evaluation is involved in this step. Each remodeler determines the expectations of how the project’s tasks will be carried out. Based on what you’ve researched and what they’ve told you, you’ll have a general idea of what these expectations are.

10.   Select the One for You!

You’ve come all this way! You found a purpose for your project, prioritized it, inspected your home, created a budget and a deadline, and searched for, evaluated and compared a select number of remodelers. Whew! Now you can make a decision and feel good about it.

Any home remodeling project should be carefully handled. These steps are designed to fully prepare you for the difficulties and potential threats typically seen in home projects. The process is long and tedious, but the decision you make will be worth the effort. You’ll have more confidence in the project and have less buyer’s remorse once it’s completed.

Radiant Floor Heating Intsallation Toronto

Hydronic radiant floor heating systems can create heat in different and specified areas of a home by sending warm water through something called PEX tubing, which is made out of flexible plastic. The tubing is located within the building’s floors or underneath them with PEX standing for cross-linked polyethylene. Along with PEX tubing, the radiant floor heating systems also consists of a heat source, manifolds, pumps, and controls. There are no joints in the PEX tubing used therefore uncut lengths of the tube are designed to snake through the floor and they both start and end at a manifold.

Whereas forced-air heating systems work by blowing warm air through ducts, the hot water radiant systems use a boiler or water heater as their source of heat. However, high-efficient solar and geothermal sources may also be used to provide heat. Since the radiant floor system can heat specific rooms and areas of a home you can have different temperature settings for each one. This makes it a highly energy-efficient system since you can lower the heat settings on unoccupied rooms and those that are less-frequently used.

Radiant Floor Heating in Toronto

The radiant floor heating system works when the circulating pump sends hot water flowing through the tubing and then returns it to the heater. The manifold is designed to balance the water in individual lengths of tubing which are known as loops and this vents the heating system. When the water makes it back to the water heater or heat source it is approximately 10 degrees Fahrenheit cooler than it was when it left. When the PEX tubing is installed it goes down in long loops which are placed approximately nine inches apart and it’s attached to the floor via a staple gun. Mortar or concrete is then poured on top of the PEX tubing.

For the most even heat, it’s recommended that the hot water is circulated through PEX tubing and is also covered over in a layer of material and ceramic tile flooring. This material could be dry-tampered mortar, Gypcrete or lightweight concrete. When the tiling is combined with this cement-type layer, it is able to store heat in it for quite some time and it can still radiate the heat even when the hot water is no longer circulating through the system. This makes a radiant floor heating system an ideal heating source in areas with colder climates.

Hydronic Radiant Floor Heating Example

The cost of the radiant heating system typically goes by square foot and generally depends on the size of the job and where you reside. Installation of radiant floor heating systems includes the all of the necessary tubing as well as the water heater, manifold, and the pump. The tubing will need to be embedded, usually with dry-tampered mortar, and the floor is then finished with ceramic tiling being the best option. Many Toronto area homeowners install radiant floor heating systems in additions to their homes since the operating costs are lower than a furnace. In addition, the water heater takes up less space than a furnace and the ductwork.

For more information about hot water radiant floor heat systems please contact our professional team of contractors us at Nusite Waterproofing.

If you’ve had plumbing changes to your home, whether it be from a leaky pipe or simply an upgrade, you may have some relatively valuable scrap metal on hand that can be converted into cash if you take advantage of the metal recycling services at your local metal recycling center.  In Toronto, there are many companies that will buy the scrap metal that you would have otherwise thrown away during renovations.

Sell scrap metal after next Toronto renovation

Identifying Old Plumbing

Old plumbing is usually comprised of copper tubing and brass fittings.  Copper has a golden brown color and is fairly easy to bend with your hands, as opposed to steel pipe, which is gray or rusty in color and quite rigid.  A magnet will stick to steel, but not copper, and gives you an easy way to tell the difference if the pipe is painted to where you can’t see its natural color.

Pricing

Copper generally pays between $2.63 and $3.16 per pound.  Fittings at each end of the tubing are usually a different metal.  If yellow in color, they are known as yellow brass and are generally worth between $1.58 and $2.10 per pound.  If you don’t remove the brass fittings and sell them separately, the company buying the tubing will have to make a price or weight allowance for the difference in value.

Steel pipe and fittings will only bring somewhere around 8 to 11 cents per pound, so it is important to sort them out of the copper and brass when selling.

Other Plumbing Parts

Other plumbing scrap includes faucets and thin tubes that carry water from the supply line to the sink.  The lines will typically be silver colored, since there is a layer of chrome plating on the brass to keep the surface from corroding, and give you the clean shiny look you prefer.  If you make a deep cut into the line, you will see a yellow color under the chrome.

Brass faucets can be chrome plated or simply finished in a way that shows the bronze color without allowing corrosion.  Again, getting below the chrome coating will show you the true metal you are dealing with, and these will be bought as yellow brass.

Pricing or Lack Thereof

Cheaper faucets over the years had been made from zinc or plastic with the same shiny silver-colored finish – zinc will show grey when you cut through the chrome and is only worth a few cents per pound.  Plastic is fragile and will break under a hammer – I’m unaware of anybody that buys plastic faucets.

Armed with this knowledge, you are set to make a little money from the next plumbing renovation project, assuming you don’t let the contractor carry off the scrap metal where they will most likely sell off for scrap metal.

Dave Fusselman is the owner of Fusselman Salvage, a Missouri metal recycling center in Moberly, MO. Visit his website at www.FusselMetals.com for more information on recycling scrap metal or find more of his writings on his Google+ page.

Toronto home underpinningIf you live in a metro area like we do here in Toronto, land is at a premium.  When an expanding family is looking to increase the living space in their home, they usually either choose going up (adding another floor), or going below (increasing the height of their existing basement).

When it comes to underpinning a basement, also called basement lowering, the advantage is that you already (somewhat) have existing walls to create your new addition.  It’s often less expensive than adding an addition to your home, and since your building within the existing structure, there is far less red tape to deal with.

The problem with older homes is that the basement was never meant to be a living space.  It was intended for storage, utilities, laundry, and a nice dark and damp home for spiders to creep about.  The height of the basement is often lower than the rest of the floors, coupled with the fact that duct work and utility pipes are usually run along the ceiling area.

Creating a full height basement is not an easy job.  To lower your basement, you’ll need to underpin the foundation so that your house doesn’t fall over like this one did in Toronto.  You’ll need a permit, a structural engineer, and an experienced structural contractor who has experience with underpinning a basement.

When you decide to create a full height basement for your home, there are two methods that can be used.  Underpinning and Bench Footing, both of them are acceptable ways to create a full height basement, and both of them have their pros and cons.  Creating a full height basement is a complex and expensive job, so you should understand the differences when you go over your options with your contractor.

Build a Stepped Bench-Footing

Bench Footing costs less than underpinning as it doesn’t require you to dig underneath the existing footings.  In this method, the existing footings and soil remain untouched.  What happens is that a new foundation is poured on the inside the existing one, all the way down to the depth of the new basement floor.  This creates a second wall inside your basement, leading to a decrease in basement square footage and a ledge equivalent to the added height of the basement.

That’s why they call it Bench Footing, you now have a bench running along the perimeter of your basement.  Some people will make creative use of the space, creating cupboards on top of the bench, while others will simply build a wall above the Bench Footing.

The width of the Bench Footing depends on the increase in height you want for your basement.  For every foot of height you add to your basement, you will need to add about a foot of width to your Bench Footing.  So if you add 18″ of height to your basement, you will have a Bench Footing 18″ in width.  These considerations need to be taken into account, especially if you will need several feet of space added to your new basement.

Foundation Underpinning

Underpinning is more expensive than Bench Footing, but allows you to retain all of your basement square footage since there is no need to build a bench wall inside your basement.  It’s a difficult job, and one not left to fly by night contractors.

Underpinning involves excavating and pouring new footings to the depth where your new basement floor will be.  This is done in sections, and the load of the foundation is carefully transferred and supported as each section is completed.  It’s a slow and careful process as you’re basically undermining the integrity of the foundation during the basement lowering process.

There are several other advantages to this model. First and foremost the basement footprint remains the same but you get the extra headroom. Moreover if you had the slightest doubt about the state of the original foundations that concern’s gone forever. This is the preferred engineering solution, though budget and other considerations may not call for it.

To Summarize the Situation

Bench-Footing is Quicker

Underpinning is Stronger

Bench-Footing is Less Expensive

Underpinning Costs More Money

Bench-Footing Bypasses Foundations

Underpinning Strengthens Foundations

Bench-Footing is the Thief of Space

Underpinning Maximises Space

 

The differences between underpinning and bench-footing are pretty obvious. The Underpinning may be the ideal solution whereas the Bench Footing may be the only affordable one. Look before you leap into this pond of water. If you have questions about creating a full height basement for your home (if your in Toronto and the surrounding GTA), fell free to contact us for a free inspection and estimate.

Underpinning job in Toronto homeIn theory, houses are built on solid foundations that are strong enough to bear their full weight and more. Unfortunately this is not always the case. Foundations may subside and even disintegrate for structural reasons. They can also be affected by flooding, shifting earth and heaving clay.

When this happens there are two solutions. Either you have to reinforce the faulty foundations by adding bulk beneath them, or you have to demolish the house and start again. The former, which builders call underpinning (or basement lowering), is obviously the preferred alternative. While the practice of Underpinning is used to repair a faulty foundation, it’s sometimes  done for other reasons.

Increasing Basement Height

Some basements are little more than crawl-space cellars, having been built for the sole purpose of raising the ground floor level of the house. This could be to achieve a view, level the main structure across a slope, or create a defense against flooding.

Excavating a cellar without first adding support can be a recipe for disaster. You could remove foundation lateral support and cause it to start sliding into the excavation with inevitable results. The only way to avoid this happening is to create more bulk beneath the existing foundation as you dig down. For practical reasons this is done in sections.

Other Reasons to Underpin Foundations

Warning signs are cracks appearing in walls, especially in relatively weak places like corners. You might also notice:

  • A slight tilt to the house
  • Floors moving out of level
  • Cracks in wall and floor tiles
  • Windows and doors that are hard to close
  • Gaps around doors and windows
  • An opening between the roofline and the upper walls

The first step involves digging trenches to establish whether the root cause is foundation failure, or inadequate structures built on top of it It’s also essential to determine what compromised the structure in the first place.

The Underpinning Process

The purpose of an underpinning job determines the extent of its scope. If you are excavating out a basement to increase head height, then the entire foundation needs to be progressively underpinned in sequence. However if you’re repairing a cracked, eroded or subsided foundation you may only need to reinforce the relevant part.

In either instance it’s important to dig down to at least the point where moisture levels are consistent, and to install jacks until the new concrete has dried fully. You can check ground moisture with a meter obtainable from a garden store, as you don’t require a high degree of accuracy.  Bear in mind that this involves the work of a structural engineer and construction experts experienced with basement underpinning.

Repairs to Brickwork

After you have repaired a damaged foundation you would remove and repoint loosened mortar between the bricks above. This is not only for cosmetic reasons. You will also be adding a modicum of strength to the wall itself.

The Value of a Specialist

This is not an easy job (as you can see). The work is dirty, arduous and time-consuming. The time and costs involved are also something to consider.  If you’ll be in your home for the long haul, and would like full living use of your basement, it may be worth looking into adding another level of living space to your home.

 

save money by going greenHave you thought about “Going Green” when it comes to your next home improvement project?

If you’re like most people, you love the idea but not really a big fan of the cost.  While most green home improvement projects end up saving you money in the long run, having to pay a premium up front puts off many homeowners who otherwise would love to go green.  Even here in Toronto, which isn’t the first city that comes to mind when you think “Green” (especially after a trip down good old highway 401), you see lots more innovation happening in the home improvement space.  Many home owners and businesses are seeking out LEED certified projects from qualified contractors.

Even if you’re not interested in going totally green in your home, there are lots of smaller projects around your home that can lead to big savings and a better environment.  Did you know that a single high efficiency shower head can save you almost $300 a year, or a total of $6000 over a 20 year span?  Or that a thermal floor heating system can save you about $400 a year, or $8000 over a 20 year span?  All of those little savings can add up to the vacation of a lifetime when you retire!

If you want to see how you can go green and save alot of money over the long term, check out this infographic courtesy of 1bog.org.  You can see how projects big and small around your home can add up to a nice savings over the long term and a better environment for us all.  Now that’s a good deal.

Home improvement infographic for green building

This is a guest post by Lisa Sinopoli, a lifelong resident of Toronto and your friendly neighborhood Vaughan Real Estate Agent

 

When your about to take on a costly home renovation project, the most important consideration you should make should be the enjoyment and value you’ll receive as a homeowner from this renovation.  If you think you’ll eventually be selling your home in the future, you may want to also consider the increased value this renovation will bring to your home.

Some expensive additions, such as an inground swimming pool, can be very expensive, but could add little value to the asking price for your home in the future. This is dependent on region and locale, here in Toronto, it wouldn’t add much value due to the colder climate and short swimming window….but in a hot climate, an inground pool is a must.

Everyone loves a finished basement or a new kitchen, but not everyone wants a giant swimming pool taking up half their backyard. If you’re wondering which types of renovation add the most re-sale value for you home, check out this infographic courtesy of elocal.com.  While personal enjoyment should be your main concern when investing in a home renovation, it’s also comforting knowing that you’l get most of your investment back if you decide to sell your home one day.

Home renovations that increase the resale value of your home-infographic

These days more and more people are avoiding the cost of unnecessary moves, and upgrading their homes instead. Adding an extra bedroom is a popular project because bedrooms are key factors in property valuations. However it’s important to comply with a number of factors in order to fully reap the benefits of the expense.

The basement is an obvious place to locate a new bedroom. That’s because the walls, floor and ceiling are already there, and that’s a huge cost saving already. Building standards for bedrooms are more demanding than those in basements. This means you’re going to have to consider all the following factors carefully.

toronto finished basement

Caring for Your Health

  • Continuous dampness causes mold that’s bad for you, and can encourage incessant colds and flu. If the water’s actually pooling then your basement project may not even reach the starting blocks. However very minor moisture penetration problems are often cured by applying the appropriate water-lock, after clearing out and correctly sealing cracks.  If you have persistent water problems, you should call in a licensed waterproofing company to fix the problem or else the problems will just resurface again.

 

  • Aesthetics are important too. We’re warm blooded creatures, and a lack of sunshine makes us feel generally low. Is your basement best described as cold, remote and isolated? It could be better to move the after-hours games room down there instead, and turn the existing one into an extra bedroom.

 

  • Temperature control is vital. Basements are generally-speaking, cool places that warm up when the central heating furnace comes on. While this may seem an ideal arrangement, the actual temperatures may not be suitable for living space. Speak to an expert. Resolve any concerns before you call the decorators in.
adding a finished basement in toronto

Safety Matters

  • Make sure your electricity supply is installed by a registered electrician who is able to provide you with a compliance certificate afterwards. This is especially critical where there’s any chance of damp returning. While you’re at it, provide an adequate supply of power points. Extra ones don’t cost that much individually, and you never know what lies ahead.

 

  • Building codes usually require that every bedroom have at least two exit points. This is especially relevant with a basement-upgrade project. If your home’s on fire how on earth are you going to escape up the stairs? Don’t take the easy way out by pretending you’re creating a workshop, rumble room or sewing room. You need an outside door (or window) that’s equipped for emergency escape.

Be Legal-Wise

  • Don’t take short cuts on these all-important health and safety considerations. The health and welfare of a family member living in your converted basement matters a whole lot more than the money you could otherwise save. Consider the home-insurance implications too, just in case there’s a problem later and the inspector picks the discrepancy up.

 

  • Go through the due process of local government authority approval before you begin making any alterations. Make sure your contractor understands that you want everything legal too and they have the required permits and certifications to get the job done. Be present every time the inspector calls. Listen and respond to what they say as they have the ability to shut down your project if your not up to code.

Long Term Benefits

When you put a bedroom in your basement correctly and legally, you achieve a lasting benefit that adds genuine value to your property. An illegal or botched alteration can have the exactly opposite effect. You could even end up devaluing your home, especially when a buyer asks to see the approved plans.