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The Problem
Homeowners in the beautiful lakeside community of Mimico in South Etobicoke often love their neighborhoods but outgrow their homes. Many of the classic detached properties in this area feature older, shallow cellars that are virtually unusable for modern family living. Furthermore, because South Etobicoke borders Lake Ontario, the localized soil conditions, often sandy or loamy with higher water tables, make excavating these basements a complex structural and environmental challenge. A rapid dig was completely out of the question for this property.
Our Professional Assessment
Our engineering team determined that achieving the desired ceiling height safely required highly controlled underpinning service. Because of the localized lakeside moisture and soil composition, we could not simply remove the earth all at once. The existing foundation needed to be incrementally extended downward to continuously support the home’s weight, while simultaneously preparing the new sub-grade envelope for a heavy-duty moisture defense system.
The Solution We Recommended
We implemented a precise, section-by-section basement foundation extension plan. By working in strategically spaced intervals, we could safely excavate, form, and pour a new structural concrete base deeper into the earth. Once the entire perimeter was successfully extended and fully cured, we would then install a commercial-grade interior drainage system to combat the high South Etobicoke water table.
The Work Performed
- Phased Structural Excavation: We removed the earth beneath the original foundation in strict, mathematically calculated sections to ensure absolute stability in the lakeside soil.
- Concrete Extension & Load Transfer: New high-strength concrete footings were poured in each opened section. We utilized non-shrink dry pack grout to seamlessly transfer the structural weight of the home onto the new, deeper base.
- Central Soil Removal: Once the perimeter was fully extended and stabilized, we excavated the remaining central earth mass to achieve the final, uniform floor depth.
- Lakeside Moisture Defense: We installed an active perimeter weeping tile system and a heavy-duty dimple board membrane, ensuring any hydrostatic pressure from the high water table is actively managed and expelled.
The Results
- Maximized Vertical Space: The basement foundation extension successfully transformed a cramped, low-clearance cellar into a vast, deep lower level.
- Lakeside Waterproofing: The new space is protected by a robust interior waterproofing envelope, guaranteeing a bone-dry environment despite the proximity to the lake.
- Uncompromised Strength: The South Etobicoke property now rests on a vastly upgraded, reinforced concrete structural footprint, perfectly prepped for final finishing.
