Basement underpinning before and after is one of the best ways to expand your living space in Toronto. The main reason why people seek to do this is because it allows them to add up to 50% more living space without having to pay the extra cost of adding an addition to the home or dealing with zoning and Committee of Adjustments. It also provides great resale value and is an excellent way to upgrade the property before selling it.

The process of underpinning involves excavating the soil underneath the existing foundation. This is usually done in stages to maintain the stability of the house while the work is being completed. It is also important that a geotechnical engineer do a soil assessment to ensure that the existing foundation is being supported properly.

Transformative Results: Before and After Basement Underpinning

While this type of project is not very invasive it does require the services of a reputable contractor to get the job done safely and correctly. Some of the dangers that are associated with underpinning include a collapsed house that falls on workers or a worker getting injured by falling debris. This is why it is crucial to choose a reputable basement underpinning company that will take the safety of their workers seriously and use all necessary precautions during the process.

During the underpinning process, steel-reinforced concrete is used to create a new support structure for the existing foundation. The new foundation floor is then poured. If the soil is not strong enough to support underpinning a method called benching can be used. This involves a stable soil slope that is maintained between the underside of the current footing and the newly lowered basement floor level, then a steel-reinforced concrete “bench” is created on the inside perimeter of the house.