Job Stories

Our team inspected a home that was for sale and found a crack and a bowing wall in the basement. There was also evidence of past water damage. I-beams were used to stabilize the wall to prevent further movement.

A Garden City, Michigan homeowner reached out to HomeSpec after discovering several leaking cracks in his basement. This happened after a bad storm hit the area. The homeowner explained that he had a couple cracks that would leak after rain, but discovered even more after the bad storms last week.  HomeSpec was able to send out our crack technician Domonique Price to fill and seal the cracks to prevent them from worsening or leaking again.  The homeowner was happy with how quick the process went. And even though it's continued to rain all week, his cracks have not leaked! 

A Garden City, Michigan homeowner reached out to HomeSpec after discovering several leaking cracks in his basement. This happened after a bad storm hit the area. The homeowner explained that he had a couple cracks that would leak after rain, but discovered even more after the bad storms last week.  HomeSpec was able to send out our crack technician Domonique Price to fill and seal the cracks to prevent them from worsening or leaking again.  The homeowner was happy with how quick the process went. And even though it's continued to rain all week, his cracks have not leaked! 

Jenny C. in Garden City, Michigan contacted HomeSpec after several heavy rains over the summer left her with a very wet and musty basement.  Since she owned the home it had not leaked, but after the high amounts of rainfall Michigan residents encountered in 2021, Jenny realized that she too had a wet basement problem.  The water was seeping in where the floor and the wall meet - a common culprit. Jenny wanted her basement waterproofed permanently and from the inside to avoid excavating around the foundation - which can be costly and messy.  HomeSpec's solution was to install a French Drain System around the perimeter of the basement just below the floor. The drainage channels collect the water sneaking in before it can leak into the basement. This is a common and favorite solution in waterproofing because it installs with minimal disruption to the basement space and can be covered by flooring and wall panels.  We also installed a Sump Pump with a backup pump and Dehumidifier to ensure the basement would remain dry and healthy even during the most severe weather.  Jenny was very happy with the entire experience from her first call to the cleanup process, and she was glad she chose HomeSpec! 

A couple in Garden City, MI had been living in their home for over 50 years. Countless memories had been created within those walls, and their basement held a special place in their hearts. However, a persistent issue had caused them  concern for a few years now– water seeping through the basement walls and puddling on the floor. The homeowners wanted to utilize their basement more, but the constant dampness prevented them from doing anything. In an effort to protect their belongings from water damage, they had resorted to piling everything high off the floor. The basement was cluttered, and they couldn't help but worry about the potential growth of mold and the damage it could cause to their many collectibles. Frustrated by the persistence of the issue, they decided it was time to seek a permanent solution for their basement. After doing some research, they came across us at HomeSpec, and reached out. We quickly scheduled a visit to assess the situation and propose an effective solution for the couple.   Upon arrival, our Project Manager examined the basement walls and identified the points of entry. To address their problem, he recommended a combination of three things: The WaterGuard, SuperSump Plus, and ZenWall.   The first step in this full basement waterproofing project was to install the WaterGuard system. This involved our crew cutting a narrow trench along the perimeter of the basement floor, carefully avoiding any disruption to the couple's belongings. The WaterGuard system was then securely placed within the trench and attached via wall flanges. This channel would collect any water seeping through the walls and direct it towards SuperSump Plus. Next came time to install the SuperSump Plus. This sump pump system was specifically designed to handle high volumes of water. It included a pump capable of expelling up to 2500 gallons/hr, a reliable backup battery system and an airtight lid to prevent water vapor from escaping into the basement. Finally to enhance the basement's overall look and provide additional protection, our crew installed the ZenWall paneling. These durable, waterproof panels were specifically designed to resist moisture and mold growth. Not only would ZenWall create an appealing finished look for their basement, but it would also act as a vapor barrier, preventing any remaining moisture from reaching the valuables in their space.   As the days turned into weeks, the couple began to experience the transformative effects of having the waterproofing system installed. Their basement remained dry, and they gradually started rearranging their belongings, confident that their collectibles were safe from water damage and mold growth.

A family in Garden City, MI was experiencing troubles over the past year, their once dry and inviting basement had become a victim of rainy weather, as a large persistent crack in their basement wall had been causing water to seep through and create a small but continuous leak. Determined to protect their home and ensure a dry basement, they decided to seek our assistance to resolve this issue.   Understanding the urgency of their situation and the potential consequences of leaving the issue unaddressed, we swiftly sent over one of our Project Managers to assess the problem firsthand. He carefully inspected the crack and confirmed that it was indeed the cause of the water intrusion. To seal the crack and prevent any future leaks, he decided to employ a two-step approach that involved utilizing the High Pressure Urethane Crack Injection and Carbon Fiber Power Grid.   Firstly, our crew started the crack repair process by implementing the High Pressure Urethane Crack Injection, a technique that permanently seals the crack in concrete. They injected a specially formulated urethane sealant into the crack. The pressurized injection ensures that the sealant penetrates deep into the crack, effectively filling it from within and creating a durable, waterproof barrier. With the crack sealed, our team moved on to reinforce the section of the basement wall to provide additional structural stability and prevent any potential future cracking. To achieve this, they used the Carbon Fiber Power Grid. The Carbon Fiber Power Grid is a solution that combines the durability of carbon fiber with an epoxy bonding agent. This grid-like material is applied to the surface of the repaired area, effectively creating a reinforced layer that enhances the overall strength of the basement wall.   Upon completing the installation of both the High Pressure Urethane Crack Injection and the Carbon Fiber Power Grid, the homeowners were relieved to witness their once-leaking crack transformed into a robust and waterproof seal, accompanied by a reinforced wall structure that would withstand the test of time.

A homeowner in Garden City, MI had an unfinished basement with a block foundation that had seen little to no trouble over the years. However, an unfortunate incident occurred that left them concerned about the structural integrity of their basement walls. It happened when the owner's neighbor accidentally crashed their car into the side of their home. Although the collision didn't cause any immediate damage, it left a mark in the form of smaller cracks that began to snake their way across the basement walls. Worried about the long-term consequences, the homeowner reached out to us for professional help.   Upon arrival, our experienced Project Manager carefully examined the basement walls, taking note of the web of fine cracks that had formed as a result of the car collision. Fortunately, he determined that there was no bowing on the walls at that time, which indicated that the foundation had not shifted significantly. To fortify the homeowners walls and prevent any further damage, he recommended the Carbon Armor—a product designed to reinforce and stabilize cracked or bowed foundation walls.   The installation process began by having our crew thoroughly clean and prepare the cracked areas on the basement walls. Our crew repaired the cracks using specialized epoxy injections, ensuring a solid foundation for the Carbon Armor installation. Next, they measured and cut strips of Carbon Armor, which are made of incredibly strong carbon fiber fabric. These strips were then adhered to the prepared wall surfaces using a high-strength epoxy resin. The Carbon Armor acted as a reinforcement system, effectively distributing the structural loads and preventing the cracks from spreading or worsening over time. To maximize the effectiveness of the Carbon Armor, our crew overlapped the strips at key stress points along the basement walls. This technique ensured that the entire wall surface received comprehensive reinforcement, leaving no room for cracks to develop.   With the installation of Carbon Armor and the necessary measures in place, the homeowner could now enjoy peace of mind, knowing that their basement was safeguarded against the uncertainties of the future.  

A mobile homeowner in Shelby Township, MI had reached out to us because they had concerns with their driveway.  However, as the conversation unfolded, it became apparent that there were other concerns that needed attention. They had noticed some water seepage in the area surrounding the home and wanted to address those concerns as well.   Understanding the importance of addressing all of their concerns, our Project Manager devised a custom solution for this homeowner. The Curtain Drain would act as a trench to funnel the water away from the home and into an exterior discharge. While the PolyLevel would act as a mechanism to level the driveway and return it to its original evenness.    To begin the process, our crew carefully evaluated the topography and layout of the property. They identified areas where water tended to collect and potentially infiltrate the foundation to determine the best application for the Curtain Drain. Next, our crew started the installation process. They first excavated a trench deep enough along the agreed upon route of the curtain drain. Then they erected temporary barriers and utilized tarps to shield the area dry throughout the project. With these precautions in place, the homeowner could easily maintain their peace of mind knowing the work area was safe. Once the trench was fully excavated, our crew placed a perforated pipe at the bottom of the trench. This pipe would act as the main conduit for channeling water away from the home's foundation. To ensure the best possible drainage, the pipes are placed with the perforations facing the soil. Then, our crew covered the pipe with a layer of gravel. This gravel acts as a filter, allowing water to seep into the pipe while preventing soil and debris from clogging it. To further enhance the effectiveness of the curtain drain, our crew began the process of installing the PolyLevel. This compound raises the concrete slabs of the driveway back to their original level without causing any exterior damage or replacing any concrete.    Once the installation was complete, the homeowner was glad to have their driveway restored to its original level and the water damage would no longer affect the leveling issues they had been facing. 

This Ann Arbor, Michigan homeowner contacted HomeSpec because he was experiencing water seeping through cracks in his basement walls. He informed us of the many signs of water intrusion that he was experiencing – cracks in the floor and walls, paint bubbling and chipping off, and water pooling on the floor.  The homeowner was worried that the items stored in his basement would become ruined, and he wanted to use the basement as a home office. This is why he ultimately decided to install a full waterproofing system, including an interior drainage system, sump pump and waterproof basement flooring. The homeowner was so happy with the results, and happy that the system protected his basement from all of the recent summer rains! 

A homeowner in Ann Arbor, MI was growing increasingly concerned with the condition of their basement. They were noticing over time that the floors in the basement had started to shift, and this was more pronounced when they tried to sit on the couch and realized they were not level with the other half of it. With the house being built in 1917, this homeowner understood some parts were older and would eventually need to be remodeled and this is what led them to contact HomeSpec BasementFix in order to start the process. Chris, one of our Project Managers experienced in foundation repair services, was called out to the property to further discuss these homeowners concerns and address their sinking foundation. After explaining to the homeowner about how foundation settlement occurs, Chris began his detailed inspection and noted how the floors in the basement were shifting away from the walls, due to the void caused by the soil underneath completely washing out. Finding this homeowner a permanent solution to their troubles was exactly why he recommended the Helical Pier Support System to this homeowner. Helical Piers are essentially steel beams with helical plates welded to the bottom in order to screw deeper into more competent soil. When the soil dug out for the foundation is compromised, and can no longer support the weight of the home, it washes out, leaving an empty space that the foundation settles into. This is what causes cracks in the walls and the floors to separate. The Helical Pier Support System is ideal for this homeowner because of its ability to transfer the weight of the home through the piers from weak soils to newer load bearing soil, or even bedrock. Our crew would then lift the foundation back to level, thereby solving this homeowner's sinking foundation problem. With the homeowner reassured by the 25 year warranty on the Helical Pier Support System, they were ready to begin renovations while maintaining their peace of mind.