BASEMENT UNDERPINNING
The most cost-effective upgrade to your house that can add living space and turn your basement into a comfortable area — with dozens of extra benefits.
Basement Underpinning Benefits
No other home improvement gives you so many benefits for such an affordable price as basement underpinning. Lowering your floor can add surprisingly a lot of value to your home and change your whole perception of your basement.
Increase your house property price
Your basement can be more than just a crawl space. Turn it into your favorite place.
No permits and certification issues
We have certified engineers to do the drawings and save you from paperwork.
Eliminate the problems proactively
Check all plumbing and HVAC communications in the process to fix them easily.
Affordable and hassle-free upgrade
Underpinning requires less paperwork and money than any other home addition.
Next Level Upgrade
Make your home a better place with no major trouble. Basement underpinning is a definitive upgrade, beneficial on multiple levels, and has no drawbacks. The most affordable and cost-effective major house addition for a wide spectrum of needs and priorities.
Comfort
When your crawl space is 6ft high — you can’t do much with it. During basement underpinning our team will lower the floor to make it 8ft, 9ft high, or even more. Transform it into anything:
- WIne cellar or home cinema;
- Home office or an extra bedroom;
- Living room or a comfortable storage area.
Underpinning gives you an opportunity to use a whole new space in your old home — without the long and troublesome process of building an extra floor or a home addition outside.
Money
High-quality basement underpinning by Willfix can pay for itself over time and make you more money in the long run. Your basement can be an actual high-return investment:
- Increase your house price dramatically;
- Rent it out and get passive income, if needed;
- Save money on future repairs.
No other house upgrade gives you that many possibilities and benefits with that few problems and obstacles along the way. Most of the other options are not even close.
Safety
The process of lowering your basement floor is a unique possibility to inspect all the communications that are hard to reach most of the time. Willfix experts can help you:
- Fix all slits and cracks that could cause problems later;
- Inspect the plumbing easily and avoid future trouble;
- Improve the foundation’s condition and lift your home’s facade.
As the result, your home will have no hidden timebombs of structural issues and will look better from the outside. Foundation safety and stability come free with your new extra basement floor.
Certified & Licensed Professionals
Fully insured and protected for every project
Free, clear, and written estimates
We raise the quality grade, not the price tag
Customer-oriented approach
We treat every basement like our own
Testimonials
In the last 20 years, we performed over a thousand projects all across Toronto. We’re proud of our reputation and always appreciate the kind words from satisfied clients:
How it Works
All basements are unique in terms of construction, condition, and location. Half the basic steps in underpinning might be unnecessary for your basement floor lowering. Our experts can implement multiple time-tested methods and technologies to find the most efficient solution.
Basement Floor Lowering Methods:
Basement Underpinning Vs Benching
Benching is an alternative to basement underpinning. Instead of pins and sections — a concrete “bench” is poured under your foundation walls to support it and spread the pressure. Both methods are time-tested, safe, and reliable. Main differences are simple:
If you want to save money now — choose the benching method. If you want to save more money in the future — go for underpinning. Willfix experts are equally good at both.
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How We Do It
Basement underpinning is a complicated process that requires multiple skilled professionals: certified engineers, experts in foundation structures, concrete work, and multiple sets of specialized equipment.
Willfix team is doing it for over 20 years now and we have everything we may need for the top quality floor lowering project — from skills and expertise to certifications.
8 Steps of Basement Underpinning:
Estimation & Drawings
Our team’s certified engineer will examine the basement, the plans, and will do the drawings. It’s crucial to get a permit for any underpinning project.
Floor removal & Excavation
We’ll get rid of the old concrete in your basement floor and dig out the soil that was underneath to make space and increase the overall height.
Reinforcement
Following the engineer’s drawings, we’ll add and replace the sections between your foundation and footing with new concrete to make it firm.
Adjustment
We’ll lower the plumbing and make sure it works right. It’s the best stage to address all the issues in your communications or foundation structure.
Backfilling & Waterproofing
We’ll add a drainage system to protect the new basement structure from the water and secure the area with a thick gravel layer.
New floor installation
We’ll pour your new concrete floor, strengthen it, make sure it’s even, and smooth it out. In the end, it will look better than the old one.
Clean up & Finish
Our team leaves no mess — we’ll make sure the area is nice and clean before we leave you with your successfully lowered new basement floor.
Guaranteed result
You have a professionally lowered floor and a whole new area in your house. You’ll have no issues with it in the next 25 years — or we’ll fix them for free.
WHY WILLFIX
In case you’re looking for the best quality for a fair price — the Willfix team is ready to commit and help you with any wet basement issues. We understand that you wouldn’t trust a complete stranger with your basement safety, your family’s health, and your comfort. Here are a few facts about us so we don’t feel like a stranger anymore:
20
YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
1000+
SATISFIED CLIENTS
15
EXPERTS IN THE TEAM
25
YEARS WARRANTY
Certified & Licensed Professionals
Our team has all the necessary certification, including a plumbing license and a certified Structural Engineer. We’ll be happy to provide all the documents on demand.
Fully insured and protected for projects
We value safety and efficiency above all. You can rest assured that even in the worst cases you’re covered: WSIB certification for your project can always be provided upon request.
Free, clear, and written estimates
We stand for our word. Willfix experts will evaluate and estimate the project and give you a written, official registry — so that no extra expenses can ever occur.
We raise the quality, not the price tag
We can drain your basement — but not your wallet. You can choose the materials, the technology, and review the whole process. Our job is to make sure you get the best quality for a fair price.
Customer-oriented approach
Get the solution that suits your unique case. From crack injections to exterior basement waterproofing — we’ll find and implement the best technology for your unique situation.
We treat every basement like our own
We understand the struggles a wet basement or a leak may cause. In all our projects, we aim at the same targets as you do: to solve the problem fast, keep the solution efficient, with the technology you can trust.
FAQ
What is basement underpinning?
Basement underpinning is a method of lowering the basement floor that increases the structural strength of a foundation.
In short, your basement floor is excavated, and your walls are reinforced with a new layer of concrete. It’s an extremely oversimplified explanation, but that’s essentially how basement underpinning works, technology-wise.
There are several different types of materials used, including reinforced concrete, steel and sometimes — timber constructions. Depending on each individual case, some installations may also include waterproofing measures to prevent water from entering the foundation walls.
Concrete: Concrete is one of the most commonly used materials for basement underpinning. It’s durable enough and easily adjustable at the same time.
Steel: Another alternative approach is steel underpinning. Steel beams are welded to the existing foundation walls and are then filled with concrete giving the steel greater strength. You won’t see this method often in residential areas in Canada, but it’s still one of the most cost-effective options when pure concrete is not enough.
Timber: Basement underpinning can also be done using timber units. It’s less commonly used because it tends to cost more than other methods and is significantly less reliable.
Should I underpin my basement?
Underpinning is an upgrade, not a necessity, so there’s no strong “should” in this question. However, you may WANT to do basement underpinning, given that it’s the most cost-efficient upgrade you can get, with multiple other benefits.
Here are some extra conditions that can help you make a decision, whether you should underpin your basement, or not. You may need it, if:
- Your basement, especially the concrete slab on the floor, has begun to deteriorate or is in a state of disrepair;
- Your crawl space does not cover its needs or you want it to be more comfortable;
- You may use another fully-functional floor in your house, to improve the living conditions or to get an extra income source by renting it out;
- Your basement has leaks that can cause the foundation walls and concrete slabs to corrode. Underpinning helps you access the areas and address the issues directly.
Can you lower your basement floor by yourself?
No, you can’t underpin your basement yourself. Even though technically you can, according to current Ontario laws, it would be illegal.
Basement underpinning implies major structural changes in your home’s foundation, so it has to be safe and well-planned. Unless you have a certification — you need to hire a professional company for your basement underpinning project, that will have a certified engineer on the team and will be able to do all the paperwork properly.
How long does basement underpinning take?
The time we’ll need for your underpinning project heavily depends on your basement structure, its condition, and the materials.
Typically, a basement underpinning process takes 2-4 weeks from start to finish.
You may think that it’s too long, but keep in mind that it’s a lot of work — not a quick crack repair. The drawings, excavation, foundation works, concrete works, sealing, all of it takes time. It’s a complex process with multiple steps, and each of them involves a dozen more steps.
We have more than 20 years of experience in working with foundations, each member of the Willfix team has no less than 10 years of experience, so we know how to make it effectively in the shortest possible time, without sacrificing the quality.
In case you’ll find a quality that will promise you a full-scale basement underpinning in 3 days — they probably have no idea what they’re doing and just want to disappear with your money.
Can I lower a basement floor without underpinning?
Yes, you sure can lower your basement floor without underpinning. It’s just the most cost-efficient of many commonly used technologies — not the only one.
Benching is the second most popular way to lower you basement floor, and Willfix experts can do it as well. We recommend basement underpinning over benching to our clients because it has more benefits in the long run. You don’t lose any living space and the square footage of your basement remains the same.
High-Quality Basement Waterproofing at Any Stage
Basement underpinning includes a drainage system installation, but protecting your basement from the water’s degrading effects is a whole different project. Lowering the floor by itself does not protect you from the old mold, wall cracks, or dangerously high humidity.
Our experts are ready to help you with any wet basement issues. Willfix team provides basement waterproofing services in the Toronto area for 20 years now.
- Exterior Basement Waterproofing
- Interior Basement Waterproofing
- Concrete forming
- Foundation Crack Repair
- Concrete Crack Repair
- Basement Crack Repair
- Epoxy Crack Injection
Exterior (and commonly called “external”) basement waterproofing is the way to protect your basement from the outside, so the water does not make it to the inner side of your basement walls at all. It’s a time-tested and reliable solution that the majority of our clients prefer.
Exterior basement waterproofing might be a better option when:
- You have no structures on the outside perimeter of your basement walls and the area can get easily excavated;
- You want to stop the water from even touching your basement walls by applying all the waterproofing materials around them, not on the inside;
- You want to increase your home’s price significantly and rest assured that no leaks will ever occur.
The Willfix team has over 20 years of experience in exterior basement waterproofing and we’re ready to commit.
Interior (or sometimes called internal) basement waterproofing means that no works take place on the outside of your basement. Instead, the water is channeled away from the basement through a complex draining system.
Interior basement waterproofing might be a better option if:
- You have air conditioning, a beloved flowerbed, expensive stone tiles, or other objects next to your house walls that make exterior excavation difficult and expensive;
- You want to have better control of the system, with access to all the elements of it from the inside of your basement;
- You want a more technological and modern system with no loss in quality of your waterproofing.
Willfix experts are experienced in interior basement waterproofing and we’re ready to commit.
Concrete forming allows you to build brand new structures for any of your project needs. Our experts can accomplish residential and commercial projects regardless of the complexity of the task:
- Columns, swimming pulls and patio slabs to change the appearance or functionality of your property;
- Foundations, basement walls and retaining walls to make sure your house is stable and fixed inn place, with no future water damage issues;
- Mud slabs, staircases, or full-scale footings that will last and retain their quality for as much as you need them.
The Willfix team has more than 20 years of experience and we guarantee that only the best materials and machinery will be used in your concrete forming project.
You can’t waterproof a foundation that has long exceeded its purpose. Increased humidity, cracks and leaks are major red flags. Even a tiny foundation crack is a threat not just to your comfort, but to your home’s safety as well.
You need foundation crack repair in case:
- You see multiple cracks, unevenness, or slits in wall joints in your basement;
- You know that your house didn’t get a proper renovation in the last 10-15 years;
- You notice moldy small and increased humidity, but can’t identify the source of them.
We have been helping Toronto residents to fix their basements for over 20 years now and have all the necessary certifications for it.
Concrete in your basement walls was never made to last for ages and withstand the immense water pressure from the soil. The walls bend and bow, deform and lose the structural soundness. The best way to fix the issue is to repair the damaged area.
The Willfix team has over 20 years of experience in concrete crack repairs. We know how to do it right:
- Only top-quality hydraulic cement will be used in the process;
- Seal the cracks efficiently — with no chances of them appearing again;
- Restore the original look of your walls so they don’t look repaired at all.
A concrete crack repair is never the final solution because it doesn’t protect your walls from the groundwater’s degrading effects, but it’s enough to restore your foundation’s original structure.
Basement cracks are relatively harmless when small, but the frequent rainfalls, snowy winters, and sometimes — extreme temperature changes can make a small crack expand dramatically overnight.
For every basement crack repair, whether the crack is around the window frame, on the floor, or on the wall — we have a professional solution:
- Epoxy injections for small and hairline cracks;
- Hydraulic cement and sealing for wider cracks;
- Full-scale basement structure restoration for the worst cases.
The only unchanging aspect is the result: you get your problem fixed with no chances for it to appear ever again.
Epoxy crack injection is the fastest and the least expensive way to fix a crack in your basement. It’s one of the most popular wet basement repair methods, but it won’t work with cracks that already leak — only with the ones that are potentially dangerous.
Epoxy crack injection is the perfect option for basement repair when:
- The cracks are tiny and just potentially dangerous;
- The cracks are relatively wide (under ¼ of an inch) but there are few of them;
- The cracks appeared because of poor construction techniques.
Willfix professionals use only high-quality epoxy with commercial-grade ports that leave no chances to the tiniest hollow spots in your basement walls.
SERVICE AREAS
WIllfix Basement Waterproofing Locations
Willfix experts are familiar with the specifics of the Great Toronto Area and have enough experience to deal with any basement waterproofing job in any city. We know that snowy winters, frequent rainfalls, and groundwater management issues are equally damaging to basements and foundation walls of people in all communities.