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Toronto homeowners face an increasing threat from flooding due to the heavy snow, spring thaw, and heavy rain. With climate change increasing their frequency and intensity, it’s more important now than ever for homeowners to protect their properties from water damage. One solution is basement underpinning, which is a key role in flood-resilient home design. In this post, we’ll explain its role when used to fight against flooding and how it works with flood prevention systems such as sump pumps or drainage upgrades.
What is Basement Underpinning?
This is a technique used to strengthen a building’s foundation, allowing it to support more weight and prevent problems from shifting soil. This process typically involves excavating under the existing foundation and installing new, reinforced concrete or steel supports. Another benefit is that it can extend the depth of the foundation, making it resistant to Toronto environmental issues such as soil shifts and flood water damage.
The Impact of Toronto’s Flooding Risks
Flooding risks are very common in Toronto, many of which are thanks to its unpredictable weather patterns. Two major contributors to flood damage in Toronto homes are:
Spring Thaw:
As the weather gets warmer in spring, that causes the snow and ice build up to melt quickly, often overwhelming the city’s drainage systems. The melting water flows into the streets, and it’s very common for it to get into basements if they aren’t prepared.
Heavy Rainfall:
During the spring and summer intense rainstorms can sometimes result in flash flooding. This often happens in a short period, which puts a lot of stress on existing flood prevention systems. With Toronto having lots of older homes that have weak foundations, this increase in water flow can cause significant damage. Note: Maybe insert a new article about heavy rainfalls in Toronto
For homes with basements, the risks of water getting through are a lot higher. Older homes are more susceptible to basement flooding as they usually have shallow foundations or no modern flood resilience built in, which can lead to structural damage and mold.
How To Strengthen Flood-Prone Foundations
Basement underpinning is a great way to strengthen your foundation and works in several ways to improve a home’s ability to resist flooding:
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Deepening the Foundation:
Because we are increasing the depth of the foundation, the home becomes more stable since it’s hitting deeper soil layers that are harder to be affected by water infiltration. This then makes the structure more secure, reducing the chances of settlement and improving resistance to external water pressure.
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Reducing Foundation Cracks and Shifts:
Over time, foundations can shift or crack which then leads to water seeping into the basement. Underpinning fixes this by strengthening the foundation through reinforcements and stabilizing it. This reduces the risk of water leakage during heavy rain or after a spring thaw.
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Improving Water Resistance:
Underpinning combined with water-resistant coatings and materials would help prevent water from seeping through the foundation walls. These coatings and materials would then act as a barrier, especially when combined with modern drainage solutions.
Integration with Flood Prevention Systems
Even though underpinning strengthens a foundation, it’s still important to combine this with other flood prevention systems to truly make your home flood-resilient. Here are some ways it can be combined with these systems:
Sump Pumps:
A sump pump is an effective solution for managing excess water in the basement. When we install underpinning it’s also a good idea to install or upgrade a sump pump system. The pump can remove any unwanted water that seeps into the basement, reducing the risk of flooding. A sump pump is very important during the spring thaw when the snow is melting quickly, causing excess water.
Drainage Upgrades:
A well-designed drainage system is essential in preventing water from pooling around the foundation. If you combine underpinning with perimeter or french drains, this helps with flood-resilience as the drains push the water away from the foundation.
Waterproofing:
When we excavate under the foundation it’s a good idea to add waterproofing measures, such as sealants or membranes. Waterproofing protects your home from moisture getting through and helps manage water buildup in the basement.
Benefits of Flood-Resilient Home Design in Toronto
Making a home flood-resilient not only protects it from water damage but also increases its value and stability. The benefits of installing both underpinning and flood prevention include:
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Maintaining Property Value:
- Flood damage has a big negative impact on the resale value of a home. By investing in underpinning and flood prevention systems, you can protect your investment and not only maintain but also increase its value.
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Reduced Repair Costs:
- If you prevent water damage from happening in the first place that means fewer repairs and maintenance. While underpinning may require an upfront cost, it’s more so an investment since it can save homeowners from future expensive repairs due to foundation damage.
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Peace of Mind:
- We offer you peace of mind knowing that your home is reinforced to withstand flooding, especially during high-risk seasons. Spring thaw and heavy rain can be stressful, but with the right flood resilience measures it can get rid of this anxiety.
As Toronto continues to experience the effects of climate change, flood resilience will only become more important. Our basement underpinning is a great solution for strengthening flood-prone foundations, especially when combined with flood prevention systems like sump pumps, drainage upgrades, and waterproofing measures. These upgrades not only protect your home from flooding and water damage, but it also protects the long term value of your home.