Correcting Perimeter Drainage in Etobicoke, Ontario
Challenge
The homeowners in this Etobicoke property were dealing with a significant structural issue involving a large backyard concrete patio that had experienced substantial settlement over time. The most critical concern was a severe 2-inch vertical drop where the patio met the home’s foundation, creating a sharp and hazardous trip edge in a high-traffic area. Beyond the immediate safety risk, the settlement had also caused the slab to lose its original pitch. Instead of directing water away from the home, the patio was now improperly sloped toward the foundation and basement window wells. This created a serious drainage concern, increasing the risk of water infiltration, foundation damage, and long-term basement moisture issues. Combined with the uneven surface and abrupt elevation change, the patio had become both a safety hazard and a structural liability for the property.
Solution
To restore proper elevation and drainage, our team implemented a high-density polyurethane injection system, designed for precise slab lifting and long-term soil stabilization. Small, strategically placed access holes were drilled through the affected patio sections, allowing us to inject a specialized two-part expanding polyurethane foam beneath the slabs. As the material expanded, it filled voids caused by soil erosion and provided controlled lifting pressure to carefully raise the concrete back toward its original grade. This process allowed for accurate correction of the 2-inch settlement while restoring a proper slope away from the home’s foundation.
The result was a fully re-leveled patio that sat flush against the structure once again, with proper drainage re-established to direct water safely away from the building. In addition to correcting the immediate trip hazard, the injection process stabilized the sub-base to help prevent future movement. The homeowners were able to avoid the disruption and cost of full patio replacement, while regaining a safe, functional, and properly draining outdoor living space within a matter of hours.
