Before & After Photos

Most people don't know much about what goes on in their crawl space. It's a small, dark place that no one wants to venture into. But when awful smells start wafting up from the crawl space and into your home, it's quite alarming. These homeowners in Lexington, Michigan experienced just that.

Because they live near water, their crawl space was very wet and muddy. They had a makeshift "vapor barrier" in place which was actually just some tarps on the ground/walls that were only making the problem worse. With the water and humidity, mold began to grow. This created a foul stench that could be smelled throughout the entire home. Mold comes with many other health concerns, so the homeowners wanted the problem properly taken care of - so they called HomeSpec. 

Most importantly, the mold needed to be removed so we used our Mold-X2 to clean the contaminated surfaces. The crawl space had obvious water issues, but encapsulation alone would not be enough. The crawl space needed a waterproofing system as well - a perimeter drainage system connected to a powerful sump pump. This would control the ground water and funnel it away from the home, preventing a flood.

Then the walls and muddy ground needed to be sealed with a CleanSpace encapsulation system. The vapor barrier blocks water vapor from entering the crawl space and paired with a dehumidifier that controls the humidity in the air, also prevents mold growth and musty smells from occurring. This system includes vent covers to prevent cold air from entering in the winter (and drifting up into the home) and to prevent hot, humid air from entering in the summer (and bringing in moisture). 

A homeowner in Blissfield, MI noticed that the corners of their foundation were cracking. Water was also getting into the basement. Throughout the seven years of owning this house, they had been making improvements to increase the value. However, the renovations had to be put on hold until the foundation issues were resolved. The homeowner heard that HomeSpec Waterproofing and Foundation Repair offered free inspections and decided to give it a go.

The senior project manager who inspected the home was Mark. Mark thoroughly examined the crawl space, the inside, and the outside of the house. The crumbling corners could be seen from both inside and outside of the crawl space. He shared with the homeowner that the best way to relieve the pressure on the foundation would be to use a SmartJack® support system and a supplemental beam. They approved of this method and HomeSpec scheduled their team to get started. The homeowner was happy with the final results and had peace of mind that they would not need to worry about structural issues any longer.

Jacks were installed to reinforce the foundation in the crawl space. 

Ruth in Grosse Ile, Michigan reached out to HomeSpec to repair her damaged foundation walls. The walls were cracked and bowing, allowing water to seep in. Ruth was worried about the large project and didn't know what to do, but HomeSpec reassured her that we would solve her issues permanently before they worsen. 

Our project manager Mark Buhr first conducted the inspection to develop a repair plan. Foreman Ryan Loop and his crew then got to work. They excavated the foundation wall to push the wall back to it's original position, then waterproofed the exterior. Inside, the PowerBrace Wall Repair System and Carbon Fiber Straps were used to stabilize the walls and stop them from moving. They were even able to straighten the bowing wall. Lastly, all cracks were sealed and new glass block windows replaced the old ones. 

Ruth no longer needs to stress about her foundation. The walls are not only stabilized, but waterproofed as well. 

An unfinished crawl space can cause a ton of problems for homeowners, most notably moisture-related issues. Moisture can cause rot, mold, and other forms of decay, compromising the structural integrity of the home. Additionally, high levels of humidity can create an environment that attracts pests such as termites, rodents, and insects. Not only does this pose a health risk for the occupants of the home, but it can also make it difficult to sell the property in the future.

When our crew recommended the The CleanSpace Encapsulation system and SaniDry Sedona to help solve these moisture problems, the homeowners were more than happy to get the work started. The CleanSpace Encapsulation system involves installing a heavy-duty liner to the floor and walls of the crawl space, creating an impermeable barrier that prevents water and moisture from seeping in. The SaniDry Sedona, on the other hand, is a dehumidifier that helps control the level of humidity within the crawl space. The combination of these two systems helps create a dry, healthy, and pest-free environment in the crawl space, ensuring the longevity of the home and the family's health.