Job Stories

This homeowner owned his home for 30 years, but was considering selling it in the future. There was only one problem - the basement would leak. The basement floor had several cracks that would leak or be damp, especially in the spring. He also lived in an area with a high water table, so he definitely needed a waterproofing system. This is common in cities near large lakes. Without one, the water problems would only get worse and it would negatively impact the value of his home.  So HomeSpec installed a full basement waterproofing system. The cracks were sealed, and an interior drainage system was installed around the perimeter of the foundation. A TripleSafe sump pump was installed for triple the protection - to funnel water away from the foundation and prevent flooding. The homeowner also wanted a vapor barrier installed on the walls to stop moisture and water vapor from entering the basement. This moisture is then collected by the drainage system and filtered into the sump pump.  The New Haven homeowner is so glad his basement is now protected, and the value of his home restored. 

Should I ventilate my crawl space? Is it okay that my crawl space is damp? Why does my home smell musty? How do I waterproof my crawl space? Is it worth it? These are the questions our customers often ask before coming to us, including this New Haven homeowner. Their crawl space was damp and the musty smell was spreading through out the home. They had open vents that were allowing in moisture and humidity, as well as a dirt floor that was allowing ground water and water vapor in.   Our crawl space specialist answered all of the homeowner's questions and inspected the crawl space. We informed them that crawl spaces should be sealed and not vented, and if there's a dirt floor, a vapor barrier is needed to keep out moisture. That's why we encapsulated the crawl space with the CleanSpace system to solve this homeowner's problems. We installed the vapor barrier, a sump pump, and a dehumidifier to create a dry, clean crawl space.  Is it worth it though? YES! A dry home with clean air and no mold, mildew, or rot compromising the safety of the home is 100% worth it. It adds value to the home, and gives the homeowner peace of mind. 

This homeowner contacted HomeSpec about a cracked and sinking concrete slab that needed to be repaired. Our crew sealed the cracks with our long-lasting silicone-based sealant that can survive even the harshest weather conditions. Then we injected our expanding PolyLevel foam under the concrete to raise it up and stabilize it. 

In Filion, Mi, a family found themselves in need of concrete lifting for their sidewalk. The soil was constantly shifting and settling, which caused the concrete to crack and lift.Our crew would use Polyurethane foam injections for a quick and easy way to solve this problem. The foam is injected into the ground, beneath the concrete, and then expands, lifting the concrete back into place.  

In Filion, Mi a homeowner found themselves needing their front porch leveled. It had sunken in to one side and was becoming a major annoyance for entering the home.Using the unintrusive process of our PolyLevel system, we were quickly able to restore the porch to a balanced level. Tiny holes are drilled into the concrete, where powerful polyurethane foam is injected. The foam fills any voids as it expands to push the concrete back to its proper level. Curing and settling within 15 minutes of the job, meant that they were able to easily use their ramp again the same day!

This Filion, Mi homeowner discovered that floors above a crawl space or basement are susceptible to all kinds of problems. High humidity causes wood beams and joists below to weaken and sag. However, in this homeowner’s case, the weak foundation soils had caused the columns to shift and settle. Creating an uncomfortable sinking sensation as they walked through their main hallway.We solved their problems with the use of our SmartJack system, engineered to tackle these problems head on, with a powerful basement/crawl space support that is also adjustable, should the need ever arise.  

This homeowner's concrete walkway slabs were sinking and very uneven. His wife has tripped on the slabs several times, so he wanted them fixed immediately.  HomeSpec was able to used our PolyLevel system to repair the walkway. This was done by injecting the polyurethane foam under the concrete. As it expanded, it lifted the slabs and leveled them with the rest. The joints were then sealed to prevent soil washout.  Now the walkway is nice and even, and the homeowners don't have to worry about tripping over it any longer! 

Animals like opossums and even skunks were constantly getting into this homeowner's crawl space through small openings that weren't sealed. Water would also get into the crawl space, causing damage to the insulation and the wood. The homeowner contacted HomeSpec to see what we could do for him.  Our crawl space specialist assured the homeowner that we can restore the value of his home with crawl space encapsulation. Not only will it seal the crawl off from the outside to deter pests and water, but it will protect what's inside. The vapor barrier prevents water vapor from coming up through the ground into the crawl space, and then into the home. The dehumidifier control the moisture levels to prevent mold and mildew. 

This Yale homeowner is a previous customer of HomeSpec and contacted us again to have a vapor barrier installed into the basement walls to go along with the interior drainage system they had installed the year prior. They were getting ready to sell their 60-year-old home, so they wanted to make sure the basement was completely waterproofed and taken care of.  Our crew installed the CleanSpace vapor barrier, which pairs perfectly with the drainage system. The liner will block water vapor from entering the basement, and instead direct it down into the drain. The drain will then filter the water into the sump pump, which pumps the water away from the home. With the bright white appearance, it adds a clean look to the basement. The next homeowners will be happy with the 25-year warranty too!

A family had just bought a new home in Yale, Michigan, that they had begun renovating. During the renovation process, they discovered their unfinished basement had water leaking in through an unknown source.HomeSpec quickly scheduled out Keith Brown to make an appearance, meeting with the family, answering questions and helping inspect the renovation process thus far.A series of small hairline cracks were observed throughout the basement allowing water to slowly leak through. Cracks were fixed using our innovative polyurethane sealant called FlexiSpan, which not only seals the cracks but can flex dynamically along with the natural movement of the wall to ensure a long-term waterproof seal.However, since the problem was left untreated for so long, the high humidity levels in the air became a concern going forward. High humidity being able to cause damage to stored items, wood rot, and affect indoor air quality of the entire home due to the stack effect. The stack effect relates to the fact that air flows from the bottom of a house, usually cold and damp, and flows out the top, spreading through the entirety of the house. Allowing damp air to continuously run through the house can also pose health risks, particularly when the house is undergoing changes such as renovations.To counter this problem, Keith suggested the installation of a proper dehumidifier for the basement. After a detailed discussion, the new homeowners decided to opt for the SaniDry Sedona system, a size-efficient solution that is small enough to fit crawlspaces as well as basements, while being strong enough to dry large areas at a lower cost than other dehumidifiers on the market. The SaniDry system allows for automatic drainage - so there’s no need to empty the reservoir, and is capable of humidity sensing as well, meaning it’ll automatically shut off when desired levels are met, while filtering harmful irritants. The Sedona allows for a long-lasting, yet low maintenance solution.With all their needs met, and concerns handled, the family was able to continue renovations and eventually fully furnish the basement into an entertainment room without further worry of water damage.