Crawl Space Repair
Foundation Systems of Michigan delivers professional crawl space repair services to correct issues like sagging floors.
Get Your Free EstimateCrawl Space Problem Signs
There are many different forms of moisture-related problems in your crawl space. If you notice any of the below, it’s time for repairs and encapsulation solutions.
Crawl Space Humidity
Uncover the origins of crawl space humidity and the ways to resolve moisture with solutions from Foundation Systems of Michigan.
Wood Rot
Safeguard your home from wood rot with Foundation Systems of Michigan's specialized services, ensuring stability and protection.
Uneven Floor
Foundation Systems of Michigan will solve uneven floor problems in your home. Learn about our cutting-edge solutions here!
Sagging Floors
Sagging floors may signal foundational concerns. Foundation Systems of Michigan’s crawl space jacks ensure enduring stability.
Dirty, damp, and musty are usually the three most common adjectives that people use when describing their crawl space. This is because unless your crawl space is fully encapsulated, you will encounter moisture-related problems in this area. Your crawl space is the area underneath your home that was constructed when your home’s foundation was first built. It usually holds structural support such as floor joists and will sometimes house plumbing lines or HVAC systems. Any moisture in your crawl space acts as a destructive force to the area and the rest of your home. At Foundation Systems of Michigan, we recommend repairing any damage and encapsulating your crawl space to improve the health and safety of your home and family.
CAUSES OF CRAWL SPACE PROBLEMS
The stack effect refers to the process in which hot air leaves the home through your attic and upper levels. As it does, a vacuum is created below, and new air is pulled upwards through the basement, crawl space, and lower levels.
Award-Winning Service
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Joshua Gaddy came to fix where the pipe coming out of the house was cut off and not taken care of properly to keep water from coming back…
Joshua Gaddy came to fix where the pipe coming out of the house was cut off and not taken care of properly to keep water from coming back in the house and letting the sump pump run every 15 seconds. Temporary fix and said someone would be back to fix it in the spring when the ground wasn't frozen. Your company needs something better than heat tapes for the pipe not freezing, after all we live in Michigan. Cam was told by someone to cut it off but not what to do so water wouldn't gush out on the ground right next to my house with no place to go. Joshua did the best he could for now. I wasn't happy with the problem, being I spent so much to keep water out and ruining my foundation. The job was done nicely until the pipe froze.
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Great experience with Groundwork's. Jacob W answered all our questions. They were on time, friendly and worked their butts off! And when…
Great experience with Groundwork's. Jacob W answered all our questions. They were on time, friendly and worked their butts off! And when they were done they cleaned up everything before they left. I would highly recommend Jacob W. Austin H. and Denzel K. at Groundwork's to anyone that needs foundation work done.
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Jayden and Carter exceeded our expectations with their communication, craftsmanship, and efficiency on our driveway/sidewalk project….
Jayden and Carter exceeded our expectations with their communication, craftsmanship, and efficiency on our driveway/sidewalk project. Highly recommend.
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James came over helped me understand what I need for my basement and gave me the best price out of every company I got a quote from. Real…
James came over helped me understand what I need for my basement and gave me the best price out of every company I got a quote from. Real helpful and made the process go smooth.
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Andy Hess came out and did my inspection today. He was very professional and very nice. He took the time to explain things to me so that I…
Andy Hess came out and did my inspection today. He was very professional and very nice. He took the time to explain things to me so that I could understand them. I look forward to working with them in the near future.
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John W was very knowledgeable and was able to answer every question. A good/pleasant person
John W was very knowledgeable and was able to answer every question. A good/pleasant person
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I'd like to send a huge thank you to Wayne, Tom, and the Crew that was out at my house last Friday to install the top of the line water…
I'd like to send a huge thank you to Wayne, Tom, and the Crew that was out at my house last Friday to install the top of the line water proofing system in my basement. The professionalism, explanations, and work completed far exceeded my expectations. The sump pump system itself is top notch. I'm very appreciative to Tom for working with me on the routing of the discharge system. I cannot thank you enough. Groundworks / FSM has already been recommended to my friends and colleagues for any basement waterproofing work in need. I highly recommended this company.
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Over two years ago i had another individual come out, check my foundation and preceded to tell me that my house was going to collapse if my …
Over two years ago i had another individual come out, check my foundation and preceded to tell me that my house was going to collapse if my 1/2 drop working towards the main drain, went any further. Saying the only reason the collapse had not occurred yet, was due to the solid poured concrete walls. No solution other than at this point the house will stay standing. With that knowledge my house was on the verge of falling in on itself I finally decided to call sometime later to see if the inevitable was here. Thank goodness I got Mark Dunbar! Wish I would have asked the first time he was out instead of waiting longer. Come to find out all the worry over the past two years was unnecessary! He took the time to explain in detail why the house was good and what to look for in the event something does need to be addressed. You can see Marks passion for delivering correct information while keeping customers interest first and foremost! I’ll definitely be calling him when we need to purchase our quality made whole house dehumidifier!! Thanks again Mark for the phenomenal customer service!!
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i am a senior citizen who actually lives in the Walled Lake area. also live in a condominium community. i was experiencing flooding and…
i am a senior citizen who actually lives in the Walled Lake area. also live in a condominium community. i was experiencing flooding and sub pump issues in my basement and of course Mangement co. and association did not want to help me. Fourtanelly a fellow named Dave came to the condo and was so patient and helpful in making me understand and decide what was needed to fix the problems . i was totally surprised by the workers that came to fix the problems they were such hard workers, and they had to go up and down about 25 stairs carrying gravel and cement along with equipment they needed to use.Miguel,Jose,and Juilan were the hardest workers i have ever seen. they even ate their lunch in the truck. they were professional,knowledgeable,polite and kind. i highly recommend this co. MS. Spitsbergen
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FSM did a wonderful job. DeCovon S. Kept me up to date on all the work. Martin H and Dewayne L were efficient and courteous. I am very…
FSM did a wonderful job. DeCovon S. Kept me up to date on all the work. Martin H and Dewayne L were efficient and courteous. I am very impressed.
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Jonah H. , Logan D. , and Bryant D. from foundation Systems of Michigan did an outstanding job making our dark damp crawlspace look new and …
Jonah H. , Logan D. , and Bryant D. from foundation Systems of Michigan did an outstanding job making our dark damp crawlspace look new and modern. Great company to work with as well.
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Jakob, Austin , and Maxwell arrived on time were thorough throughout project and did a great job, would recommend to anyone.
Jakob, Austin , and Maxwell arrived on time were thorough throughout project and did a great job, would recommend to anyone.
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This crew did an outstanding job. The members were Steven c, Matt f, Justin p, Isaiah f. Our basement transformation was day and night. We…
This crew did an outstanding job. The members were Steven c, Matt f, Justin p, Isaiah f. Our basement transformation was day and night. We had had issues with the basement being damp moisture ridden. After they finished our basement look like brand new, smelled great. There was no hint of moisture in the air. I look forward to using the basement for many years to come. Would recommend this to friends and family.
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Scott was an absolute pleasure to work wit. He explained everything in detail and was very knowledgeable about the system and its benefits. …
Scott was an absolute pleasure to work wit. He explained everything in detail and was very knowledgeable about the system and its benefits. What a great experience!
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The 5 gentlemen that came and worked on my house were very kind and courteous their names are Jakob W, Jalen T, DeShawn A, Jacob C, Junior …
The 5 gentlemen that came and worked on my house were very kind and courteous their names are Jakob W, Jalen T, DeShawn A, Jacob C, Junior H. I would reccomend these 5 men to work on your house they work well together.
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Dave Pearso, Matt cochik, and Trevor Billinstien were the workers, did a Great Job, took the time to show me everything. Thanks for…
Dave Pearso, Matt cochik, and Trevor Billinstien were the workers, did a Great Job, took the time to show me everything. Thanks for everything. Curt Patterson . also Ben Hamilton did a follow up call and wanted to know if everything was ok, We really appreciated his follow up. and his total help with this. Great job!!Ben still is going Great work for us! every year for MaintenaceCan't say enough about Ben answers my calls every timeCurt Patterson Kalkaska, Mi
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Great work fun and professional. I will recommend you to everyone.
Great work fun and professional. I will recommend you to everyone.
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Dave P. Matt K and Jordan K did an amazing job on my basement, they kept me informed, kept everything cleaned up and got it done in/ day….
Dave P. Matt K and Jordan K did an amazing job on my basement, they kept me informed, kept everything cleaned up and got it done in/ day. Went over everything with me. I would highly recommend them to anyone!
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Jacob, Steve, and Dathem did and excellent job. Also friendly and patient!!
Jacob, Steve, and Dathem did and excellent job. Also friendly and patient!!
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Tim H. did a thorough job servicing the sump system and dehumidifier in our crawlspace. He also inspected the area in the crawlspace…
Tim H. did a thorough job servicing the sump system and dehumidifier in our crawlspace. He also inspected the area in the crawlspace underneath where I noticed some differences in the floor. He found a couple issues and gave me a list of suggestions and prices if I decided to repair. Even took the time to say Hi to one of my anxious dogs which goes a long way with her socialization. Great experience
Crawl Space Solutions
If you notice mold and mildew growth, feel unevenness when you walk across your floors or have elevated humidity in your home, your crawl space may be to blame. Fortunately, at Foundation Systems of Michigan we have nearly two decades of experience in repairing and encapsulating your crawl space with effective and proven solutions. Here are some of the solutions we offer for your crawl space needs.
Crawl Space Sump Pump
Maintain a dry crawl space with a reliable sump pump from Foundation Systems of Michigan. Get your free quote today!
Crawl Space Jacks
Crawl space jacks can fix your sagging floors. But do you really need them? Learn how to determine if they're necessary.
Crawl Space Encapsulation
We offer a state-of-the-art crawl space sealing solution to transform your damp, nasty crawl space into a dry, healthy, usable space.
Crawl Space Dehumidifier
Get superior moisture management and air quality in your crawl space with Foundation Systems of Michigan's Crawl Space Air System.
Is Crawl Space Repair and Encapsulation the Right Solution for Me?
If your crawl space contains standing water, mold, or dry rotted floor joists, you may wonder what steps you can take to eradicate it. Your crawl space is a vital part of your home’s structure and is responsible for housing important pipes and in some cases, HVAC systems. When damage occurs, it can result in costly repairs and lower air quality in your home. At FSM, we offer a multi-step solution to encapsulate your crawl space and protect it from moisture and unwelcome pests.
When pests or water gets into your crawl space, they can wreak havoc on the structural supports and appliances within the area, as well as decrease the health of your home. Things such as elevated humidity and mold and mildew can result in poor indoor air quality. This also can cause your energy bills to increase and the overall environment of your home to deteriorate. When these things happen, the stack effect is likely at play. The stack effect is the upward movement of air from the crawl space through your home. This means that any mold, pest droppings, or humidity are being circulated within the air your family breathes.
To stop these issues from affecting you and your home, investing in crawl space repairs and encapsulation is the smartest choice. We offer customized solutions for your home such as vent covers, durable vapor barriers, interior drainage systems, drainage matting, dehumidifiers, and more.
FAQs
When homeowners hear about crawl space waterproofing and all it entails, many question the necessity of encapsulation, especially if the area is already closed off. A sump pump and dehumidifier make sense, but how can a vapor barrier protect a crawl space from water damage? Well, the materials your crawl space is made of, wood and concrete, experience rapid deterioration after water exposure. This is because both materials are highly absorbent.
Because of their permeability, even water vapor can get through and invade your crawl space or crawl space. You might think this isn’t really a big deal—after all, water vapor is what the dehumidifier is for, right? However, once that moisture passes through the wood and concrete, there’s a possibility that mold will grow. There are certain types of mold that can survive even when the air isn’t very humid, so it wouldn’t take much for your foundation to start deteriorating.
Vapor barriers completely block all water and water vapor that tries to get into the crawl space. It’s made of a completely inorganic material, so no mold can eat at it and grow. Encapsulation also helps insulate the area and keep temperatures stable which lowers energy bills. And last but not least, encapsulation tidies up the way your basement or crawl space looks. The sleek, white barrier brightens up the space, makes it look bigger than it truly is, and keeps everything clean for years to come.
Anybody who has experienced summer in Detroit will be able to tell you how terribly humid it gets. It’s especially bad inside basements and crawl spaces during the summer since all the heat and humidity from the outside finds its way inside. With humidity comes mold to your crawl space, which is detrimental to both you and your house. Mold in crawl spaces eats away at your wood, softens it up, and weakens it to the point where the support beams can no longer properly support the floorboards. This leads to more problems down the line, like warped window and door frames, cracked corners, and leaking pipes.
As for how it affects you, mold can irritate the sinuses, lungs, and throat. It triggers allergies and can be dangerous to those with even mild respiratory issues. Long-term exposure to mold can destroy your respiratory organs and leave you with long-term health problems. All in all, you’d be wise to try to lower the humidity in your crawl space by as much as possible. This can be done by installing a dehumidifier in your crawl space so the humidity levels can stay adequate, even for a crawl space.
The kind of dehumidifier you need for your crawl space is not the same one you have around your home. Those aren’t potent enough to lower the humidity levels in a crawl space. Besides, household dehumidifiers typically need to be emptied manually, which can be troublesome to have to deal with in a small crawl space. The only kind of dehumidifiers that work for crawl spaces are industrial-grade types that foundation repair experts have. These kinds of dehumidifiers are the only ones strong enough to do the job, and they are fully automated, making them the most convenient dehumidifiers ever.
It is incredibly tempting for homeowners to seek out DIY solutions. This is understandable, as basement, crawl space, and foundation repairs are quite costly. After all, if you can do something yourself, why not? Unfortunately, repairs can be rather dangerous, even potentially fatal, especially if one does not have the expertise or take the appropriate safety precautions. In fact, 13 million people in the U.S. alone are injured from home repairs, with 55,000 deaths attributed to DIY repairs gone wrong.
Take foundation repairs for instance. Bowed walls and sunken concrete slabs are incredibly common problems. If one were to try to repair bowed walls on their own, you risk accidentally tearing down your foundation walls or creating cracks and holes for water to enter, which will then result in leaks or flooding. It is also recommended to not work with concrete without the proper knowledge because they are heavy and can be dusty and messy to deal with. This can pave the way for a multitude of health problems or injuries.
DIY repairs in your basement or crawl space are arguably even more dangerous because they are below ground level. Homeowners risk flooding, structural damage, or in the worst-case scenario, collapse. You should not consider repairing even what seems to be the simplest issues on your own because you might accidentally worsen the problem or create a whole other problem. In the end, DIY repairs may end up costing more overall than if you were to hire a professional contractor to do it for you.
An easy wat to check if the humidity is coming from your crawl space would be to use a moisture meter.
If your home is experiencing increased levels of humidity and you have a crawl space that isn’t waterproofed or sealed, you need to act fast. High humidity problems that stem from your crawl space is just the beginning of your problems. It indicates that your foundation has a serious drainage issue that will affect its structure in due time. Once you’ve determined that your crawl space is the cause of all your humidity problems, get in contact with a foundation repair company as soon as you can.
High levels of humidity? There’s a good chance mold will grow on the wood. Wood rot can also be very sneaky in the sense that it can grow on the wood without any discoloration. The best way to test the wood for rot would be to use a screwdriver or a pencil. If the wood shows any signs of softness at all, it is rotting.
Indirect signs would be those that you can detect away from the rotting wood, usually in your household. The biggest indicator would be a strange smell wafting from the crawl space or basement. Due to the stack effect, the air in your foundation rises toward your home, meaning that the spores and smell of mold will be noticeable throughout the house. Another good way to test for wood rot would be to simply check the humidity levels in your home. Crawl spaces and basements tend to be a lot more humid than the rest of the house, so if the humidity levels in your home are extreme, it goes double for the humidity in your basement.
Often, many people hear about replacing the wood in their crawl space in order to repair it. However, there is a more efficient way of repairing your crawl space while also ensuring that it stays fixed. The IntelliJack™ floor support system can restore sagging floor beams and crawl space structures, despite being surrounded by rotted or water-damaged wooden posts. While it may be small in size, it is rated to support up to 24,860 pounds per jack. The IntelliJack™ is very versatile and is also capable of reviving sunken foundations, even in the smallest of crawl spaces.
Encapsulating your crawl space may be something that you want to invest in. Much of the air that enters your home originates within the crawl space below you. If your crawl space has been continuously exposed to water, it can result in wood rot and host pests and mold, which will ultimately taint the air in your home. The CrawlSeal® Advantage prevents this by providing a waterproof and mold-proof layer to your crawl space that makes it more difficult for pests to enter. By improving the air quality in your crawl space, you are improving the air within your home and ensuring the health and safety of its inhabitants.
Insulation within your crawl space is not something that homeowners typically consider; however, it may be beneficial for those who live in Lansing, where winters can be extremely frigid. Because much of the air that enters your home comes from your crawl space, you want to make sure that this air retains as much warmth as possible so that your house is not freezing cold in the winter. This can help to save on energy bill costs in the long run. The ExtremeBloc® Wall System has strong insulating capabilities. It is also fire-resistant and can dually work to reduce moisture levels in your crawl space.
Why Crawl Space Repair and Encapsulation Are Needed
When you spot signs of damage in your crawl space, your first thought is maybe what do you do next. Since your crawl space is a part of your home that is hidden and out of view, it’s usually also rarely visited unless something wrong has happened. Here are some reasons why crawl space encapsulation is needed for your home.
Deters Unwanted Pests
Nothing creates a more welcoming habitat for pests than a dark and damp environment, which is exactly what a crawl space provides. Things such as open crawl space vents, damp insulation, organic materials, and isolation are all components that make up the perfect home for pests. By encapsulating your crawl space with a vapor barrier, removing any wet insulation, and sealing your open vents, you can help deter unwelcome pests from invading your home.
Increased Energy Efficiency
When you have open crawl space vents, you run the risk of losing heating or cooling out of your floors during the winter or summer months. When this happens, your HVAC systems go into overdrive and must work harder to maintain an efficient temperature in your home. When you choose to encapsulate your crawl space, you can save anywhere from 30-50% on your energy bills.
Enhanced Structural Safety
If your floor joists become dry rotted or start to sag, you might have a moisture problem in your crawl space. Since floor joists are usually made of wooden beams, they are easily susceptible to the damaging effects of water. They also can be infiltrated with termites which can deteriorate their stability. If this is the case in your crawl space, support joists may need to be installed and then encapsulation solutions can follow.
Common Crawl Space Repair and Encapsulation Tips & Mistakes
Since your crawl space is an area that is usually considered out of sight, out of mind, it can be a challenge when damage happens within it. Here are some helpful tips that our experts at Foundation Systems of Michigan recommend when getting your crawl space repaired, as well as some mistakes to avoid.
Helpful Tips
- Even though your crawl space is an area you may rarely visit, it’s important to routinely have checked for any damage or signs of moisture. Even certain telltale signs around your home may give way that damage has happened. Sagging and uneven floors, mold, condensation forming on windows, and more can lead you to problems happening underneath your home.
- If you do suspect your crawl space has moisture or damage, it is important to call the experts at Foundation Systems of Michigan for an inspection. Since the area is usually small and compact, it’s best to have professionals who know what to look for and who are experts at moving through the area. We have vast knowledge in inspecting, diagnosing, and repairing crawl space problems with our trusted solutions.
- Standing water in your crawl space can be a scary thought and you may wonder how it got there in the first place. Usually, it is from a plumbing leak, groundwater, or a flood. Although we suggest calling in the experts for help, if you are able to and feel comfortable enough, try to remove as much standing water as possible. This way, although repairs and encapsulation solutions need to be installed, our team will be able to spot the source of the water.
Mistakes to Avoid
- If you want to fully protect your home from water-related damage, you must ensure that all the proper encapsulation solutions are installed. Just installing a sump pump or interior drainage system is not enough to fully combat water or mildew and mold growth. You also need a vapor barrier, dehumidifier, and crawl space vent covers to ensure your home is fully waterproof.
- Since crawl spaces are such a delicate area of your home, it’s best that you don’t attempt any DIY repairs. Any mishaps, faulty products, or wrong moves could end up in more damage to your home and safety hazards. It is important to have the proper solutions and expert help to ensure your crawl space is repaired the right way.
- Although installing a sump pump is a great way of combatting floods, groundwater, or a plumbing leak, if you lose power, your sump pump stops working. This is due to your primary pump being hooked up to your home’s electricity, and when it fails, so does its purpose. Having a battery-powered backup sump pump can save you all the headache and water damage if a power outage happens at your home. It will turn on as soon as the primary turns off and will work to direct any excess water away from your home.
Providing Expert Crawl Space Repair in Michigan and Northern Ohio
Pennsylvania trusts Foundation Systems of Michigan for reliable basement waterproofing, crawl space, foundation, and concrete repair services. Contact us for a free inspection!
Top Cities We Serve
Our Locations
32985 Schoolcraft Road
Livonia, MI 48150
5985 Clay Avenue SW
Grand Rapids, MI 49548
2817 Bond St.
Rochester Hills, MI 48309
5555 Airport Hwy
Toledo, OH 43615
3805 Elmers Industrial Drive
Traverse City, MI 49685