Job Stories

On a cold day in Armada, MI a homeowner was spending time in their basement when their eyes began to wander over the walls. Noticing the cracks, they set the problem aside for a later date and continued to enjoy their recently purchased home. One day, while rearranging the layout of the basement, they noticed one of the walls was no longer straight; some of them had begun to bow inwards. Realizing it was time to address the problem, they set out to search for basement foundation repair companies nearby. After extensive research, and consulting family, HomeSpec BasementFix was recommended as the best foundation repair contractor for this job. Mark, our Project Manager who specializes in foundation repair, was called out to the home to perform a free inspection and further address the concerns of the homeowner. After noting the poured concrete walls in the basement, Mark explained that expansive soils, which is the buildup of hydrostatic pressure due to the excess moisture, was most likely the cause of the walls bowing inwards and cracking. Foundation failure was one of the concerns brought to our attention, which led to Mark proposing our CarbonArmor Wall Support System to stop the bowing and the SmartJack Crawl Space Support System to prevent the floors from sagging. In order to solve the bowing walls, our CarbonArmor Wall Support System uses carbon fiber-reinforced polymers to contour to the walls of the foundation. CarbonArmor is many times stronger than steel, combined with our ArmorLock brackets; it prevents the wall from leaning in at the top and moving further inward. With quick, same day installation, CarbonArmor is an effective solution to prevent the walls from bowing inwards. The next thing our crew did in this foundation repair was install the SmartJack Support System. With traditional support posts being susceptible to wood rot, mold and pests, they can often fail, causing the floors in the living space to sag. This is uncomfortable to live with, and the SmartJack solves this by creating a base of engineered fill to provide a solid base for the support jacks to rest on. The galvanized steel columns are corrosion resistant and capable of supporting loads up to 60,000 lbs. Heavy duty threading in the rods allows for year-round adjustment to the needs of the home, making this support system an ideal solution for this repair. With the wall protected from the outside pressure, and preventative measures taken with the support jacks, this homeowner was pleased with the work done by our crew and happy to have their peace of mind restored.   

This homeowner's attached garage sat on a slab near a hill and it was slowly sinking over time, to the point where it had moved about four inches off of the footing. She loved our reviews so she called HomeSpec.  To solve this problem, our crew installed helical piers under the garage to stabilize the structure and prevent it from moving any further or causing any more damage. 

These homeowners contacted HomeSpec because water was seeping into a bedroom in their fully finished basement, where the floor and the wall meet. We discovered a crack in the poured foundation wall behind the drywall, so our crew injected it with our polyurethane sealant to prevent water from coming through again. 

This customer contacted us about a bowing and cracked basement wall in his parents home.  Our crew solved this problem by stabilizing the walls using straps that protect block foundation walls from inward movement and bowing. 

This homeowner contacted HomeSpec because her sump pump stopped working and her basement flooded. To prevent this from happening again, HomeSpec replaced the old, outdated sump pump with a brand new TripleSafe.  This sump pump is much more powerful and reliable, with the ability to pump out 2,000 gallons of water every hour. The water is funneled away from the home through the discharge line.  The homeowner is very pleased with her new sump pump, and hasn't had any water issues since! 

Donald C. in Saint Clair, Michigan contacted HomeSpec because he discovered several years of built-up water damage in his basement, because it leaked every time it rained. Despite his efforts to prevent the water intrusion – like cleaning the gutters, extending the downspouts, covering the window wells, and correcting the grade around the foundation – it kept occurring. Donald was very worried about mold and other related problems.  Unfortunately, these methods only help decrease the amount of water near your foundation and work to divert water away, but water can still seep inside if the basement itself is not waterproofed. Donald wanted a long-term, permanent solution. That's why HomeSpec installed a WaterGuard Perimeter Drainage System, also known as an interior French Drain. This was connected to a powerful TripleSafe Sump Pump – it has 3 pumps for triple the protection. This system collects water from the walls and under the floor slab, and drains it into the sump pump to be expelled far away.  Since the walls were very damaged by water, we also installed a CleanSpace Vapor Barrier to not only cover-up the unsightly walls, but to prevent moisture and vapor from seeping into the basement. It is instead directed down into the drainage system. 

A family in Saint Clair Shores, MI was looking to renovate their basement to use as a family room. Having just recently moved in, they wanted to add some property value, and create extra living space for their family. With no plans to move, they began by painting the walls, once they started to notice the cracks, worry set in. Having never experienced any foundation issues in the past, they consulted their neighbors for the best foundation repair companies nearby. This led them to contact HomeSpec BasementFix as the best fit for this job.One of our foundation repair specialists, Ben, was sent to the home to discuss the homeowners concerns in more detail and provide a free inspection. After learning of the family’s plans to renovate the basement, he explained that shifting soils under the foundation, due to dry conditions or excess water, can cause the soil to shrink or wash out completely. This creates a void, allowing the foundation to sink. Ben proposed a solution for this sinking foundation repair that involved a Helical Pier support System which would further stabilize the foundation and bring it back to level. Our Helical Pier Support System is specifically designed to combat foundation settlement, with the helical plates welded to the shaft; they are screwed deeper into the ground to provide additional support to the foundation. Once our crew determined the appropriate depth, the next step was to advance the piers into the ground and then transfer the weight of the foundation through the piers to more competent, load-bearing soils. The Helical Pier Support System worked well for this family because the root cause of the problem was addressed and the piers provided a stress-free, permanent solution.After the project was complete, and the foundation successfully restored to its original position, the homeowners were happy to leave a review stating how pleased they were with the quick installation and minimal disturbance done by our crew. 

Martha L. in Marysville, Michigan contacted HomeSpec because she's had nothing but problems with her sump pumps over the years, and she needed a permanent solution.  Martha said that she has changed her sump pump twice in the last 10 years because they keep failing. The one she has now will run non-stop without draining any water. This is why she decided to install HomeSpec's TripleSafe Sump Pump. This includes 3 pumps for 3 levels of protection. This system can expel over 2,000 gallons of water PER HOUR. With the battery back-up system connected, even a power outage couldn't stop this pump from working.  Martha is loving her new sump pump and is ready to put her sump pump conundrums behind her!!  

A homeowner recently bought a home in Marysville, MI and noticed a crack in the basement. This caused them concern, because cracks in the basement are usually signs of a settling foundation. Having the intention to remodel the home, the homeowner realized the foundation settlement would need to be addressed before taking any further steps. After contacting friends and family, they were recommended to HomeSpec BasementFix as the best foundation repair contractor nearby.Mark, a Project Manager, who had related experience in foundation repair, was called out to Marysville to inspect the property, free of charge for the homeowners. While conducting his detailed inspection, Mark noted that the water system in the basement wasn't being diverted correctly, which led him to believe this foundation repair had more work to be done than what was initially discussed. Explaining to the homeowner that foundation settlement happens over time due to shifting soils which can no longer support the weight of the home was the first step, the second step was to propose a custom solution that solved the sinking foundation and provided crack repair and basement waterproofing so the homeowner could begin remodeling the house.Helical Piers are specifically designed to transfer the weight of the foundation, through the piers, to stronger, load bearing soils by screwing the helical plates into the ground, acting as an anchor. The Helical Pier Support System prevents the foundation from settling further and lifts it back to level, restoring the quality of life for the homeowner and providing a permanent solution. The next step in this foundation repair and basement waterproofing process is to install our WaterGuard Drainage System to redirect the water into the SuperSump Sump Pump. Traditional drainage systems are prone to getting clogged due to the buildup of debris, which creates a backflow of water and can eventually lead to basement flooding. WaterGuard solves this by sitting above the silt and dirt that causes traditional systems to clog and paired with the SuperSump Sump Pump, which is capable of pumping up to 2,200 gallons of water per hour. Waterguard is an ideal solution for basement waterproofing.With the foundation successfully leveled and the homeowners fears put to rest, they were happy to receive a referral discount on the repair done by HomeSpec BasementFix.    

This homeowner contacted HomeSpec to repair his sunken and cracked walkway. Our crew injected our expanding PolyLevel foam under the concrete slabs to raise and level them, then repaired the cracks with our strong silicone-based sealant for a brand new looking walkway.