Crawl Space Repair Case Studies: Major Structural Collaps Saved in New Boston, MI
Challenge
A family in New Boston, MI was running into increasing problems with regular household chores, such as trying to do their laundry, because they began to notice how the laundry room floor was not level with the rest of the house. Beyond that, the floors had been getting colder, and the floor beneath the water heater had broken away from the wall and begun to sag as well. With the colder seasons approaching, this family realized that if they didn't address the issue now, it could compound into future problems for them during the winter months when the temperature starts to drop. Being rightfully concerned that this may be the result of a larger foundation issue, they began a search for a reputable foundation repair contractor near New Boston, Michigan. During their search, they found HomeSpec BasementFix, specializing in crawl space foundation-related issues; we were selected as the contractor of choice for the repair.
One of our veteran foundation repair specialists, Mark, was sent to the home to discuss the concerns with the homeowners in more detail and provide an inspection, free of charge. After speaking with them about the unleveled laundry room and bringing up possible causes for a sunken floor, he began his inspection of the property. During his inspection it was discovered that this dirt crawl space was damp with signs of past water damage along many of the wooden supports which had begun to rot and give way. Mark also noted a high spot in the middle of the house which led him to believe this was mainly due to support issues. When traditional wooden supports lack the strength to hold the weight of the floors above, they begin to sink into the soil. An unsupported floor will usually settle unevenly, which may have caused the laundry room floor to sag in one corner and the water heater to sink below level. After explaining his findings to the homeowner, Mark proposed a custom solution that would best fit the homeowners needs for this crawl space repair project.
Solution
For this family, inadequate support in the crawl space caused the property to lose some value, ultimately because traditional supports are prone to water damage, wood rot, decay and other factors. To tackle the core of this issue, our crew would begin by sistering weakened joists, replacing overly damaged support beams, and finally installing our SmartJack crawl space support jacks. Engineered with galvanized steel and a special zinc coating to prevent any degradation or erosion, our SmartJack Support System ensures that the problem wouldn't repeat itself. These powerful supports, capable of lifting over 60,000 lbs. provide an ideal support solution. The SmartJack Support System can be adjusted year-round to prevent the downward movement of the laundry room floor and push it back to proper level with the rest of the home, restoring the property value back to its original condition.
After our crew installed the SmartJack Crawl Space Support System, the next step was to address the damp and cold crawl space itself. Crawl Spaces are notorious for being humid environments, fostering a breeding ground for mold, bacteria, and other pests. In order to combat this, our SilverGlo Crawl Space Insulation System provides a barrier that can retain heat in the crawl space with its reflective coating, preventing the floors in the living space from getting cold. SilverGlo, our crawl space insulation system, is unlike traditional fiberglass solutions that sag and crumble due to the humidity; its waterproof nature allows it to maintain shape and insulate the floors above providing these homeowners with benefits they could reap during the upcoming winter months.
After the SilverGlo is applied to the crawl space, the final step is to seal it. The benefits of crawl space encapsulation as a long term solution with many benefits were explained to the homeowner, before our crew finalized installing the CleanSpace system. A dirt crawl space can easily let water in and create dampness, which can in turn damage the supports throughout the foundation, as was seen in this situation. Crawl space encapsulation helps seal off and separate the dirt from the ground to prevent these situations from occurring. Better air quality, fewer pest problems, and even greater energy efficiency were just some of the benefits that this family got from encapsulation. With our CleanSpace encapsulation system, manufactured with a special 7-layered material consisting of both high and low-density polyethylene to ensure both durability and flexibility, sealing the crawl space with our simple 4 step encapsulation process is an easy and effective solution to prevent moisture and debris from collecting and affecting the support systems.
Once the laundry room floor had been raised back to level and the dirt crawl space separated from the home, they were able to retain heat, prevent colder floors and save money on heating bills. Restoring their peace of mind was a top priority on this project and it showed when this family was able to see and feel the difference firsthand. They were also pleasantly surprised by the idea of saving on their energy bills, with warmer floors in the winter
Project Summary
Project Manager: Mark Buhr
