Job Stories

A homeowner in Kinde, Mi reached out to HomeSpec for assistance with their sinking deck foundation. A long-standing problem that was proving to only worsen over time.For fast, effective installation to level a lighter structure like a deck, our crew used a system of helical piers. With modular sections that can be added to until the pier reaches the necessary depth, they offer a great deal of reliable versatility.  

This New Haven homeowner wanted to finish his basement, but he had water seeping in at several spots. He put waterproofing material on the wall (shown in photo), but it didn't work and water continued to penetrate. Many customers contact us after not being able to fix problems themselves with DIY hacks. The homeowner called HomeSpec to professionally waterproof the basement so he could finally renovate.  Our crew installed an interior drainage system with a sump pump. This system will collect the water, funnel it into the sump pump, which will them expel the water away from the home through a discharge line. We also installed our ThermalDry wall system which creates a radiant heat barrier to keep heat inside your basement, but also works with the waterproofing system to keep the basement dry. It does this by acting as a vapor barrier and directing water down to the drainage system. 

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.