From a Damp Basement to a Dream Space: My Real Experience with Basement Work in Toronto

If someone had told me two years ago that I’d end up redoing my entire basement, I would’ve laughed and changed the subject. At the time, our basement was just a space for storing boxes, old furniture, and whatever didn’t fit in the upstairs closets. But a slow leak along the back wall and a few cracks that kept widening over the years changed everything. My wife and I realized we couldn’t ignore it any longer.

We started talking seriously about what we wanted from the space. Do we just fix the problem, or do we go all in and turn it into something useful? We have a growing family, and space in Toronto doesn’t come cheap. So after a ton of conversations (and a few arguments), we made a decision—we’d renovate the basement for real. That’s when we began searching for companies who could handle waterproofing, foundation work, lowering, and possibly even a walkout. After reading reviews, talking to neighbors, and making some calls, we decided to go with Kome Waterproofing. And honestly, I’m really glad we did.

Basement Lowering Toronto

One of the first things we learned was that if we wanted a real living space downstairs—with proper ceiling height, decent air circulation, and actual value—we’d have to consider basement lowering Toronto homeowners often deal with. The term was new to me, but Kome's team explained it clearly. They didn’t try to sell it to us—they just told us the truth. Our ceiling was too low to make the space functional, and lowering it was the only way to turn the basement into something livable.

The process sounded intense. We had to dig under the existing slab, reinforce the foundation, and pour a new floor at a lower level. It’s not cheap work, but we saw it as an investment. The team was careful with every stage, and they worked in sections to make sure our home’s structure was always supported. It took about six weeks, and yes, it was messy and loud, but they kept things clean and gave us regular updates. Now, standing in the finished space, I can’t believe how much difference those extra inches make. Our basement feels like an actual apartment, not a forgotten storage room.

Basement Underpinning Contractors Toronto

Once we started digging and lowering, underpinning became a must. We had no idea this would be part of the plan, but again, the team explained how it works and why it was necessary. Finding solid basement underpinning contractors Toronto homeowners can trust was key, and Kome made it simple for us. They handled everything—from permits to inspections—and always kept us in the loop.

Underpinning, as I came to understand it, means strengthening the home’s foundation. It involves digging beneath the existing footings and pouring new concrete to create deeper support. It’s no small job, but it was crucial for the safety of our house and also helped with potential future plans to rent the basement out. I appreciated that they didn’t rush it. Every stage was inspected and approved before moving forward. The peace of mind that came with knowing our home’s foundation was rock-solid was worth every penny.

Now that the basement has a solid base, there are no more cracks in the walls. No more uneven floors. And after all the heavy rain last spring, not even a hint of water seeped in. That was the true test for me.

Walk Out Basement

Somewhere in the middle of the renovation, we realized we had an opportunity to add a walk out basement. The idea had been floating in the back of my mind for years, but I always thought it was something only new homes could have. Our house is on a bit of a slope, which turned out to be a huge advantage.

After talking it through with Kome’s team and checking the city’s zoning rules, we decided to go for it. Adding a proper walk out basement not only gave us easy access to the backyard, but also flooded the basement with natural light. It turned the entire vibe of the space from “just a basement” to “this could be a second unit.”

The new door leads right out to our patio, and it honestly changed how we use the whole house. On sunny days, my kids run in and out. In the winter, we have a second entrance that helps keep the mud and snow contained. It’s practical and beautiful. Most importantly, it adds serious value if we ever sell or rent out the space.

Exterior Waterproofing Toronto

Before finishing the basement, we had to deal with the actual reason we started the project in the first place—water. Our back wall had a steady leak every time the snow melted or we had a big rainstorm. I’d tried patching it up over the years, but nothing held. That’s when I really started researching exterior waterproofing Toronto homeowners like me often need but put off for too long.

The Kome team showed me exactly where the water was coming from and how they planned to stop it. We decided to do full exterior waterproofing in Toronto around the back and one side of the house. That meant digging around the outside foundation, sealing it up properly, adding a new membrane, and installing proper drainage.

It wasn’t cheap or easy, but it was necessary. And ever since they completed that work, our basement has stayed bone dry. No more musty smell. No more pooling water under the stairs. It finally feels like a real part of the home. My only regret is not doing it years earlier. It would’ve saved us a lot of stress and buckets of water.

Final Thoughts on Working with Kome Waterproofing

When I think back on the whole experience—from the first call to the final clean-up—I feel really lucky that we found Kome Waterproofing. They weren’t flashy or pushy. They were just honest, knowledgeable, and incredibly hardworking. They didn’t promise overnight miracles. They told us what was possible, what it would cost, and how long it would take.

What really stood out was how they treated our home like it was their own. The crew always cleaned up, they respected our neighbors, and they never made us feel like we were asking too many questions (even though I’m sure I did). Most importantly, they delivered exactly what they said they would—and more.

Now, we have a beautiful, usable basement with solid footing, great lighting, and a separate entrance. It’s not just extra space—it’s a second living area. We’ve already had family stay over, and in the future, we might even use it as a rental unit. What started as a patch-job turned into a full renovation, and we couldn’t be happier with the result.

If you’re a homeowner in Toronto thinking about doing basement work, my advice is: don’t wait until a leak forces your hand. Plan it out. Talk to the right people. Ask the hard questions. And if your experience is anything like mine, you’ll end up with a home that feels brand new.

FAQs

Q1: How long does basement lowering take in Toronto homes? Basement lowering in Toronto usually takes 4 to 6 weeks, depending on the home's size and structure. We had ours done in just under six weeks with great results.

Q2: Do I need permits for a walk out basement in Toronto? Yes, you’ll need permits for a walk out basement and possibly zoning approval depending on your location. Kome helped us handle all the city paperwork.

Q3: Is exterior waterproofing really necessary in older Toronto homes? Yes. Many older Toronto homes weren’t built with modern waterproofing. Exterior waterproofing in Toronto can prevent leaks and protect your foundation long-term.