The basement portion of the Gerrard Street East project was a critical structural phase, forming the foundation for the extensive main-floor and second-floor work completed above. Implemented during the COVID years, this component required careful coordination, precise engineering, and a collaborative approach with a client who understood construction at a professional level.
Project Overview
During demolition, we uncovered a condition common in older Toronto homes, especially those built on sandy soil: the existing brick pillars were sitting directly on sand, and over time, water infiltration had washed the sand away, leaving an empty cavity beneath the brick post.
This explained the long-term sagging the homeowners had experienced, not only in the basement structure, but also in the main-floor walls, floors, and even the second-floor alignment. This discovery reinforced the importance of replacing outdated supports with proper engineered footings and steel beams.
1. Demolition & Removal
- Removed all brick pillars, which were found sitting on sand with voids beneath them
- Removed old wooden beams that no longer met structural standards
2. Concrete Footings
- Poured two engineered concrete footings to replace the unsafe brick-on-sand supports
- Footings measured and reinforced to handle the increased load from the new steel structure
- Designed specifically to prevent future settlement in sandy soil conditions
3. Structural Steel Installation
- Installed three engineered steel beams with posts
- Installed a fourth cantilevered steel beam to support the structure above
- Ensured perfect alignment with the main-floor and second-floor load paths
4. Integration With Upper Floors
- Coordinated basement beam placement with the 20-ft main-floor beam and the 24-ft LVL on the second floor
- Ensured structural continuity across all levels
Project Outcome
The basement structural reinforcement created a solid, vibration-free, fully engineered foundation for the entire home. By replacing unsafe brick-on-sand supports with proper footings and steel beams, we eliminated the root cause of the home’s sagging and ensured long-term structural stability.
This project demonstrates how addressing hidden structural deficiencies, especially in older Toronto homes built on sandy soil, is essential for safety, performance, and future renovation flexibility.
If you’re planning a complex basement structural upgrade, need engineered steel-beam installation, or require a contractor capable of coordinating multi-floor structural systems, our team is ready to help. Reach out to explore engineered, code-compliant structural solutions that strengthen your home from the foundation up.
- What Our Client Said
- Jeanie and Philip
- Gerrard St E, Toronto
If you need any type of structural work done, choose Aldo Structural Contracting. I highly recommend them. Alex provides expert advice and recommendations. Alex took the time to walk us through the project, step by step, and answered all of our questions. He and his team are courteous, professional and do amazing work. Even other trades people who saw Aldo Structural’ s work commented on the high quality of the workmanship. I honestly can’t say enough good things about Aldo Structural. If you need quality structural work done, choose Aldo Structural.
