Terrace Structural Reinforcement in Etobicoke: Old Mill Rd

The Old Mill Road project involved implementing a building permit already obtained by the homeowner for a townhouse-style property with a terrace built directly above the garage. The terrace was originally supported by a steel beam system designed to allow vehicles to pass underneath. After purchasing the home, the homeowner noticed cracking on the terrace surface and discovered that the recently added stonework had placed several additional tons of weight on an aging steel structure already exposed to years of weather and rust.

An engineer was hired to design a remediation plan, which called for 20-foot C-channels to be welded inside both sides of each of the five existing steel beams. This reinforcement would restore the load-carrying capacity of the structure and protect the terrace from further movement or failure.

Our team spent the first phase of the project cleaning and preparing the existing beams, removing rust and applying a full coat of rust-proof paint to ensure proper adhesion and long-term durability. We then supplied, installed, and welded all 10 C-channels, completing the full reinforcement system over the course of one week.

This project can also be considered an emergency structural repair, as the additional weight from the patio stones should have been evaluated before installation. Adding significant load to an aging, weather-exposed steel structure without structural review can lead to serious safety risks, a reminder that exterior upgrades must always consider the underlying support system.

The result is a fully reinforced terrace structure, restored to engineered standards and ready to safely support the home for years to come.