Basement Underpinning Mississauga

Mississauga Basement Underpinning Contractor

Basement underpinning is a popular choice when it comes to adding more living space to your home. When done right, it will give you higher ceilings in your basement and greatly improve your home’s value. If done wrong, it can leave you with serious foundation problems.

MAGCOR’s expert underpinning specialists have the experience and equipment needed to safely carry out a basement lowering project for your home or office space. We’ll thoroughly assess your basement or crawlspace, let you know about any potential pitfalls, and walk you through your lowering options. Our award-winning team not only handles the heavy lifting of demolition and restoration, but they also can help you manage the permit process, get your inspections done on time, and liaise with structural engineers and architects.

Whether you’re looking to expand your usable living space in a tight real estate market or want help dealing with things like a mouldy basement that regularly leaks, choosing the right underpinning contractor is crucial to getting a good outcome when underpinning your Mississauga home. It’s easy to be tempted to turn this into a DIY project, but underpinning foundations should only be done by qualified, experienced professionals.

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Feel free to contact us anytime.

What is Basement Underpinning?

Put simply, with basement lowering, we’re taking out your old foundation, digging down to create more space, and then building you a new, stronger foundation. You can underpin a portion of your basement to deal with an area that’s been structurally compromised or lower the entire room to create a comfortable living space to enjoy. Basement underpinning solves a wide range of problems, like perpetual mould, foundation cracks, subsidence, and flooding. Older homes may need to repair a failing foundation, or you may find your current foundation simply isn’t strong enough to support an additional story.

The basement underpinning process takes precision, experience, and attention to detail. Your home must be assessed and a plan must be created to adequately support the structure while you remove the old foundation and pour new footings. You need permits, a structural engineering report, architectural drawings, and periodic inspections to ensure everything is up to code.

Benefits of Basement Underpinning

Easier, More Affordable Option to Increase Usable Living Space

Regardless of the reason you decide to consider whether or not an underpinning foundation project is right for you, there are some key benefits you should be aware of. Real estate prices are creeping up every year, and moving may not be an option for many people. If your family has outgrown its starter home or you’re looking for a mother-in-law suite to rent out or comfortably house an elderly parent, the first thing that pops into most people’s minds is installing an addition.
An underpinning basement project gives you the same outcome at a much lower price. Permits and materials are less expensive, because you’re not building a whole new structure and tying it into your existing home. You’re simply modifying an existing structure and making it stronger.

Increase Property Value and Get a Better Return On Your Investment

Our underpinning specialists help you chart a course toward a better return on your real estate investment. You’ll get a better price on a property that’s undamaged, modernized, and not a fixer-upper. Repairing structural damage to your foundation and basement walls is the first step in boosting your home’s value. Buyers are turned off by faulty sump pump systems and wet, musty basements that are cramped and poorly lit. Obvious mould or conditions that foster mould growth will stop most potential buyers from considering your house as a viable future home for their families. Finishing your basement space adds valuable liveable square footage to your home, making it infinitely more attractive than houses with unfinished basements.

Strengthen Your Foundation

Over time, even the best-laid foundations can develop cracks, sagging areas, and leaks. Harsh winters, torrential rain, and flood events all take a toll. Inadequate or incorrect types of waterproofing applications in your basement can also degrade your foundation and the walls that support your house. Older foundations may be too thin to support additional upper stories and generally need structural upgrades to help them stand up to earthquakes more effectively. Another common reason to beef up your foundation is when the soil your house is built on has shifted, causing structural instability.

Upgrade Your Waterproofing to Prevent Damage

Many older waterproofing methods can cause damage, weakening your foundation and basement walls. Properly installed modern waterproofing will limit water damage to your foundation, home, and possessions. The first step in effective waterproofing is to find the source of your leak problem and prevent it from permeating the concrete that makes up your footers, foundations, and concrete walls. Concrete is a porous material, and moisture will, over time, pass from the outside to the inside of your basement. Another perk of upgrading your waterproofing is that it may get you rebates or financial incentives from your local government agencies.

Upgrade Outdated Plumbing, Wiring, and Insulation

During the basement lowering process, your space is laid bare, exposing plumbing pipes, drainage systems, and wiring, making it the perfect time to upgrade outdated items. Not only will you see an improvement in how things work in the basement, but you’ll also benefit from a home value bump. Prospective clients appreciate knowing these crucial systems are modernized and will not become an expensive money pit six months after moving in. You can also add attractive options like radiant floor heating, check valves that prevent sewage from backing up into your basement, and improve insulation to cut down on heating costs.

Boost Ceiling Height and Get Better Lighting

Lowering basement floors gives you higher ceilings, banishing that claustrophobic cramped feeling that many basements have. Without increasing the depth of your basement floor, refinished spaces in the basement often feel subconsciously oppressive. It can also help you get better lighting and find a better option than a single bare bulb with a metal pull chain. Even though you’re digging deeper, it creates more space for additional windows or bigger windows to let natural light flood your new space. The increased headroom gives you more options for overhead lighting and ceiling fans that help dissipate moisture and distribute heat effectively.

The Permit Process Can Be Less Expensive and Complicated Than Building an Addition

The permit process is faster and less expensive for underpinning compared to getting permits for building an addition to your house. In Mississauga, you can expect to pay around $2,200 for a permit and get it approved in about three weeks. Construction permits vary a lot, depending on how complex your project is. This makes the approval time much longer and can cost you somewhere between $4,000 to $10,000 to get your permits and drawings done.

Do you have any question?
Feel free to contact us anytime.

Basement Underpinning Process

Assessment, Planning, and Permits for Basement Lowering

For safety reasons, building codes apply to basement underpinning, just like they do to other types of construction. After assessing your site, our team of qualified basement lowering experts can help guide you through the permit process and streamline communication and coordination with your structural engineer and architect.

Secure Your Possessions

It’s important to have a clear space to work in, and we’ll need you to remove any stored household goods and furniture from the basement before we begin work. During part of the basement lowering process, your basement may be open to the elements. Our team will let you know ahead of time how much needs to be removed and which areas must be free of obstacles.

Basement Demolition

During this phase of the project, we take out your old floors, remove non-load-bearing walls, install temporary shoring to support your home while we work, and tear out systems that will be updated. We also excavate and remove the dirt under your slab.

Underpinning the Foundation in Sections

In order to keep your structure stable, underpinning foundations happens in sections. The structural engineer carefully marks off three- to four-foot sections, labelling them 1, 2, or 3. To start, all the sections marked with a 1 get dug out to the appropriate depth. Forms are built to create the desired type of footing and concrete is poured. When all the first sections are complete, work begins on the group of sections marked with a 2. These steps are repeated until all sections have been retrofitted and new footings are complete. This is also when load-bearing walls are replaced. Expect periodic inspections by the structural engineer to ensure everything is going according to plan.

Drainage, Waterproofing, and Upgrades

Lowering your foundation means you have to install lower drains as well. Delta waterproofing membranes are applied to the walls, and we often reroute plumbing at this time to accommodate new fixtures. We’ll install new wiring and upgrades like radiant heat floor systems, and put in sewage ejectors if they’re needed. After putting in your sump pump, we’ll lay down a layer of gravel and a vapour barrier before pouring your new concrete floors.

Cleaning Up the Work Area

It’s important we leave you with a space you can put to use right away. Once work is finished, we’ll clean up after ourselves. This includes removing the excavated dirt and pieces of old concrete flooring from your site.

Individual Underpinning Section Inspections

Inspections are crucial when it comes to ensuring a good outcome on your basement underpinning, which is why they are required throughout the underpinning process. Structural engineers make sure your home’s stability isn’t adversely affected, that load-bearing walls and columns aren’t compromised, that excavation is being carried out safely, and that the new footings are up to code.

Rerouting or Adding Drainage

When lowering a basement, you should also revise your drainage system to accommodate the new depth. This is the ideal time to reroute drainage or add additional features to your system. Our expert team will help you decide which drainage options are right for your project and go over the pros and cons of each choice. Once new drains are installed and properly connected, they will be inspected to ensure they’re leak-free.

Installing Modern Waterproofing

Modern waterproofing is essential to controlling moisture levels in your basement. Water can enter your basement in many ways, including through the walls and under the foundation. Our crew installs modern Delta waterproofing membranes on the walls and throughout the floor to protect the new concrete slab.

Adding Radiant Floor Heating and Insulation

This is the perfect time to include value-added systems such as radiant floor heating and insulation. Heating basements can be more expensive than heating above-ground rooms, since your basement never gets a solar boost. Radiant floor systems help keep the cold and damp out of your basement and make it easier to keep the ambient temperature comfortable. Our team can walk you through the pros and cons of putting one of these systems in.

Installing the Sump Pit and Pump System

During large rain events or seasonal storms, the city’s drainage infrastructure often can’t keep up, and flooding can occur. A dewatering pump located in a sump pit gives flood waters a place to go and quickly be pumped out of your basement, minimizing damage. You may be eligible for city rebates and incentives to help offset the cost of a sump pit system.

Adding Gravel and a New Concrete Floor

Once all the sewer and drainage lines are in place, the electric lines have been wired, and upgrades like radiant floor heating are installed, it’s time to work on your new concrete slab. A layer of gravel and waterproofing membrane is laid down, and a weeping tile drainage system is installed to catch any moisture accumulation and direct it away from your walls and foundation and into the sump pit. Once everything is squared away, a new concrete floor is poured and floated.

Work Area Cleanup

Finally, we clean up the work site and finish removing all excavated dirt and old concrete chunks from your property. Rest assured, we’ll leave you with a clean basement and clear driveway or side yard when we’re finished. Our goal is to ensure you can comfortably start using your new space immediately or bring a finishing crew in to complete the transformation.

Why Choose Us for Mississauga Basement Underpinning?

What makes MAGCOR Demolition stand out from other underpinning companies? We have the depth and breadth of experience you need, the equipment and technology to get the job done right the first time, and the skilled technicians capable of handling even the most complicated basement lowering project. We built our reputation on a history of quality work, open communication, and fair pricing

Award-winning Demolition Contractors
Licensed and Insured
High-Quality Materials
Modern Technology
Industry Best Practices
Competitive Prices
Unbiased Advice
We Warranty Our Work

About Mississauga

Mississauga sits along the shore of Lake Ontario, bordering the western side of Toronto. As of 2021, Mississauga had approximately 717,000 residents, making it the third most populated city in Ontario.

Mississauga covers an area of about 292 square kilometres, including 13 kilometres of Lake Ontario’s shoreline. On average, Mississauga experiences about six snow-free months per year, with occasional snowfall in May and October which rarely sticks to the ground. Mississauga is located in plant hardiness zone 6B, meaning its ground freezes frequently.

Underpinning services can be performed in Mississauga almost year-round, except in the case of inclement weather. Permits for underpinning are available in person when visiting a Municipal Service Center, or by applying online through the ePlans website.

Remember to supply information such as:

The cost to perform the work
Your project duration
Project drawings and plans
Site or scale drawing to determine property setback requirements

Is Basement Underpinning Expensive in Mississauga?

Typically, your contractors will analyze your property’s size (in square footage) and the linear footage of its basement walls in order to determine the total cost of the project. However, some contractors may choose to estimate the project cost through stages, including:

Accumulating drawings, permits, and other paperwork
Inspecting the condition and composition of the soil
Preparing the Site
Wall underpinning
Basement slab work
Demolition
Crack Repairs
Remediation and site cleanup

You will need to hire a professional architect or structural engineer for the permit application process, as detailed drawings will be required for your permit. These experts in underpinning can also provide other valuable documents, such as the size of your existing concrete pad, as required by Mississauga’s Building & Construction Authority.

Typically, the cost of these drawings and the entire process ranges from $2,500 to $3,500. However, depending on the nature of the project, this amount can easily increase to $4,500, or more.

After you receive your drawings, underpinning experts can evaluate your project and recommend a course of action.

Homeowners and business owners in the Mississauga area should budget for about $80.00- $350.00 per square foot on average for an underpinning project. Most underpinning projects performed in Mississauga will cost between $15,000 and $30,000.