Underpinning solves two very different problems. The first is settlement: when part of a foundation sinks (doors racking out of square, stair-step cracks, sloping floors), steel piers driven to load-bearing strata transfer the house's weight off the failing soil and can often lift it back toward level.
The second is headroom: Guelph's century homes often have 6-foot basements. Underpinning the footings deeper — done in engineered, permitted stages — creates legal-height living space worth real money in this market.
Both are structural engineering projects. Drawings, permits and inspections aren't red tape here; they're what makes the work bankable when you sell.
All old houses are out of level; the question is whether it's progressing. We measure, set crack monitors, and re-check. Active settlement shows in months. No movement in a year usually means live with it.
Often partially — piers can recover some elevation as they're loaded. Full restoration to original level isn't always possible or wise; stabilization is the primary goal.
Yes, with engineered drawings — underpinning is structural work under the Ontario Building Code. Anyone offering to do it without permits is creating an uninsurable, unsellable liability under your house.
It's structurally sound and cheaper, but the concrete bench eats 18–24 inches of floor around the perimeter. Good for utility basements; underpinning is better when finished space is the goal.