Job Stories

A home in Port Austin, MI was struggling with sagging floors on the main level and settlement issues within the foundation. The homeowner purchased the house nine years ago and was renting it out. However, as their grandchildren get older, the homeowner would like to give the home to their child and grandchildren. Before they can proceed with other repairs and updates, they need to properly fix the structural issues. They reached out to HomeSpec Waterproofing and Foundation Repair for help. One of HomeSpec’s senior project managers, Erik, went to the home for an inspection and to discuss the situation with the homeowner. Erik looked in the basement and crawl space to assess the damages as well as the outside of the home to see if there were other signs of concern. He used a laser tool to show the unevenness in the crawl space and proposed using SmartJack® supports to raise the main beam back into place and stabilize it. The homeowner said yes to this plan and a HomeSpec crew was scheduled to install the support system. They were happy with the completed project and to get started on more for their family.

A homeowner contacted us because he had water coming into his basement, as well as cracked walls. Our team repaired the cracks and rod holes that were leaking. We also installed power grids to prevent the walls from moving.

This homeowner contacted HomeSpec after discovering some leaking rod holes in his basement (shown in photo). Our crew sealed up the rod holes to prevent them from leaking again. 

This homeowner contacted HomeSpec because rodents were getting into his crawl space through damaged vents and an old access door. He wanted the crawl space encapsulated and sealed tight.  Our crew wrapped the crawl space with a vapor barrier, installed new vent covers, and installed a new airtight access door. Any gaps were filled with our SilverGlo insulation too. Now nothing, not even the smallest rodent, will be able to penetrate this crawl space. The homeowner is very happy with the results! 

These homeowners had cracks in the outside of their home that were leaking water into their basement. It was clear that had foundation issues - exterior cracks are a sign of foundation settlement. They collected several proposals from different companies, and ultimately chose HomeSpec.  To fix the foundation issues, our crew installed helical piers. The weight of the foundation is transferred to the piers, and these stabilized and lifted the settling foundation. The cracks were sealed from the inside and the outside to ensure they are waterproof. Aside from repairing the foundation issues, the homeowners also wanted their basement waterproofed. We installed an interior drainage system and the CleanSpace vapor barrier on the walls to ensure they won't have water issues in the future. 

Robert G. contacted the professionals at HomeSpec because he realized a foundation wall was bowing inward severely and it needed to be repaired.  This is usually caused by hydrostatic pressure pushing the basement wall inward, and it buckles under the pressure as a result.  HomeSpec is able to permanently fix this issue with the PowerBrace Wall Repair System. These are steel I-beams that not only stabilize the wall and prevent movement, but also straighten the wall.  Our crew easily installed the beams to the bowing wall, with minimal disruption to the basement. Within a couple days, Robert's basement was repaired and good as new! 

A notable signal of the need for foundation repair is when a homeowner notices that the floors are sagging more and more over time. To be stable, strong, and level, the floor above a crawl space requires solid mid-span support that's usually provided by a post-and-beam assembly. Unfortunately, beams are often undersized, and many contractors use wooden posts that can rot, shift, and settle. When this happens, floor joists sag and other structural problems occur. This was the exact situation that a homeowner in Applegate, Mi, was faced with. Looking for a reputable foundation repair contractor, she was referred to HomeSpec through a friend who had us address a previous sinking house issue.   After clearing the crawl space of debris to secure a proper workspace, our crew set to work replacing the main support beam and adding better foundational support with our SmartJack system. Made from galvanized steel to resist any corrosion while being strong enough to lift 60,000 lbs, the homeowner was quickly able to enjoy their home again without having to fear falling into their own home.    

A caring grandmother in Inkster, MI had been facing an ongoing issue that had cast a shadow over her basement, which doubled as a bedroom for her granddaughter. The situation had escalated to the point where water was seeping into her basement through various points where the walls met the floor, causing concern for the wellbeing of her granddaughter and the overall structural integrity of the basement.   When our experienced Project Manager arrived at the home, he began the free inspection in the basement where he could take a look at the problem areas. Upon inspection, it was evident that the water infiltration was manifesting in three distinct spots along the perimeter of the homeowners basement. Not only was this causing damage to the carpets laid down on the floor, but it had also affected the edges of the walls. The homeowners' worries were justified as the problem was not abating; if anything, the water ingress seemed to be intensifying. To alleviate their distress, our Project Manager at HomeSpec devised a custom solution to address the root cause of the issue and provide her with a lasting remedy. The plan involved the strategic implementation of a range of cutting-edge products, each tailored to address the specific issues of water infiltration.   Our crew initiated the process by installing WaterGuard, a specialized interior drainage system designed to capture and redirect water away from the basement. This trench-like channel was placed against the perimeter walls where water had been entering. The unique design of WaterGuard ensured that water was channeled to a SuperSump system, preventing it from pooling on the floor and causing further damage. To further fortify the basement against water intrusion, they integrated the SuperSump Plus system. This sump pump was equipped with an airtight lid and an efficient battery backup system to ensure operation even during power outages. The SuperSump Plus played a pivotal role in protection against flooding. For the cracks in the walls that were serving as entry points for water, our crew used High Pressure Urethane Crack Injection. This solution involved injecting a specialized urethane material into the cracks at a high pressure, effectively sealing them off and preventing any further water from entering. This method not only tackled the immediate problem but also ensured the long-term stability of the walls. To address the structural concerns caused by the water damage, our crew used the Carbon Fiber Power Grid system. This involved affixing carbon fiber strips to the compromised areas of the walls, effectively reinforcing them and preventing any bowing or cracking due to water-related stress. The Carbon Fiber Power Grid provided an added layer of protection against potential damage, ensuring the basement's structural integrity.   By the time our crew had completed the installation, the grandmother's basement had undergone a remarkable transformation. The combined usefulness of the WaterGuard system, SuperSump Plus, High Pressure Urethane Crack Injection, and Carbon Fiber Power Grid had not only resolved the issue but also provided her and her granddaughter with peace of mind. Her granddaughter could enjoy her basement sanctuary, now safeguarded against water-related concerns.