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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We scheduled an appointment on the phone and throughout the scheduling process, the Groundworks team was very informative and communicative….
We scheduled an appointment on the phone and throughout the scheduling process, the Groundworks team was very informative and communicative. Rich was my waterproofing expert and he was very friendly and professional. During the process he did an inspection and then presented the solutions while explaining the causes and the remedies for any and all issues. The cost is quite high but but there are financing options and it is a permanent waterproofing system. I recommend Groundworks to anyone looking for a waterproof home.
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Michael was thorough, very informative, and broke it down so we could understand things better. He took the time to take his boots off each …
Michael was thorough, very informative, and broke it down so we could understand things better. He took the time to take his boots off each time he came into the house so he wouldn't leave snow all over the floor. FSM installed our sump pump, and we've not regretted their services yet.
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John came to do an inspection of our water proofed basement. He called on his way and was on time. He worked efficiently and was able to…
John came to do an inspection of our water proofed basement. He called on his way and was on time. He worked efficiently and was able to show me pictures of his outcomes. He noticed an insulation issue and wrote a quote which we cannot take advantage of at this time. My husband scheduled an appointment for John to come and look at our crawl space for maintenance in the spring. We'll done,John.
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Foundation systems of Michigan (FSM) was not the first company I called but I'm glad I hired them anyway. The first company wouldn't even…
Foundation systems of Michigan (FSM) was not the first company I called but I'm glad I hired them anyway. The first company wouldn't even return my calls then lied about it. foundation systems of Michigan was very professional, they measured with more accurate and professional equipment. And even gave me a 5% discount on the job For a senior discount (I'm 65) my house is almost a 100 years old. It's completely out of square on just about every wall and floor and I know it was a nightmare for them to work on. When they started tearing out the old sub floors that were built on top of each other, I had not one but two different subfloors that had asbestos tile. Another company had to be called in to remove it professionally. It was very costly and a great set back. FSM offered to knock another 5% off my bill and did even though they were not obligated to. Anything after that which they did, if I wasn totally satisfied or had a question on it they would redo it again to my satisfaction if needed. They were always professional and as polite as possible. when I thought and was afraid I might need foundation peers (can be quite costly) , My inspector, Ryan , was very honest and told me not only did I NOT need the peers but also what I could do on my own to stop the heavy condensation buildup under my crawl space in that area of concern. I did what he said. It didn't cost me a dime just a little bit of my physical labor and it cleared the problem right up. i couldn't believe it. They even redid the subfloor in my little entrance/mudroom for nothing even though it wasn't on the original estimate. They said something about all the trouble that I went through with the house and wanted me to be happy with them and I am. Very happy. theymight of even lost money on this job for the set backs and trouble with everything being so far out of square but they always stuck with it to my utmost satisfaction. most companies would never have gone the extra mile like they did. (James Batchelor)
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Recently (10/9/23) had a yearly inspection by Service Technician Jordan Foy. We couldn't be more pleased with the attention to detail from…
Recently (10/9/23) had a yearly inspection by Service Technician Jordan Foy. We couldn't be more pleased with the attention to detail from Jordan while explaining the process. He answered all of our questions while at the same time being professional, courteous, and easy to speak with. Great job Jordan! Keep up the great work!Sincerely,Harold and Mary Brown
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James has been terrific so far. We had a delay getting our project started (probate situation) and James stayed in contact with us, never…
James has been terrific so far. We had a delay getting our project started (probate situation) and James stayed in contact with us, never pressured, and was ready the second we were cleared to move out. He is professional, personable, and kind. I am looking forward to working this project with him.
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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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Daniel S, Riley G. And Jacob K did the installation of dry basement work at our home. They were pleasant, efficient and detailed. Truly…
Daniel S, Riley G. And Jacob K did the installation of dry basement work at our home. They were pleasant, efficient and detailed. Truly appreciate their work!
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Had Ground Works out for a follow up inspection. John came out and was very professional and thorough. We very much appreciate his help and …
Had Ground Works out for a follow up inspection. John came out and was very professional and thorough. We very much appreciate his help and expertise in the inspection of our property. Thank you FSM for having employees like John.
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I was very pleased that the tech, Austin, who serviced my system today, took the extra time to explain to me possible solutions to…
I was very pleased that the tech, Austin, who serviced my system today, took the extra time to explain to me possible solutions to recurring issues, rather than rush through the service. Even as it tightened his schedule for the day. I’ve had similar excellent service and communication with Dennis and Phil, and recommend FSM!
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My representative/inspector was Zach, and he was and is absolutely amazing. He went above and beyond to not only represent himself, but…
My representative/inspector was Zach, and he was and is absolutely amazing. He went above and beyond to not only represent himself, but the company with integrity, kindness and helpfulness. He walked me through everything and also explained everything meticulously. I'd do business with Foundation, if it were more expensive, on how amazing he was as a representative. Foundation is truly blessed to have him as an employee. He is an undeniable asset to the company. I encourage anyone with questions to request him specifically!
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This 5-star review is only a reflection of Jacob and his crew, including Cameron, and the job they did. We had our basement waterproofed…
This 5-star review is only a reflection of Jacob and his crew, including Cameron, and the job they did. We had our basement waterproofed and a sump pump installed. The crew did an awesome job and it was great working with Jacob on this. They were very professional and did the best they could on the days of a skeleton crew. If working with FSM, I would highly suggest requesting Jacob for your job. However, the scheduling and prioritization of jobs is something that needs significant improvement. Our project was supposed to be done within 4 days and it lasted 6 because 2 days were skeleton crews and 1 day was a no show due to another project. It felt like other projects or service related visits were prioritized over our project. Wish they could have been honest with us or pushed our project to a different week so it could have been prioritized.
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Quick reasonable helpful and thorough! Gereald was great and very efficient can’t thank him enough!!
Quick reasonable helpful and thorough! Gereald was great and very efficient can’t thank him enough!!
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Steve McCalden was awesome during our basement consult! He was very knowledgeable, friendly and organized. Thank you Steve!!
Steve McCalden was awesome during our basement consult! He was very knowledgeable, friendly and organized. Thank you Steve!!
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John's service was excellent and very professional
John's service was excellent and very professional
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I already submitted a rating and short evaluation but the work was finished in two stages because of a missed communication on leakage from …
I already submitted a rating and short evaluation but the work was finished in two stages because of a missed communication on leakage from the base of a chimney. The oversight was quickly remedied and the additional work was neatly finished.
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Overall 5 star experience. Our first impression of FSM started at the consultation with Ryan who was professional, knowledgeable, and…
Overall 5 star experience. Our first impression of FSM started at the consultation with Ryan who was professional, knowledgeable, and incredibly helpful. After getting our project on the schedule very quickly, Luis S, Gerson M, and Cam G did a top notch job. From clear communication, to speedy work on site, they did a great job encapsulating our crawl space.
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Getting a crawlspace inspection and estimate from FSM was the best contractor experience I've had in years. Eric T was on time, super…
Getting a crawlspace inspection and estimate from FSM was the best contractor experience I've had in years. Eric T was on time, super detailed, and very honest about what was versus wasn't needed. Highly recommend, and with what I've seen so far I expect the project to be a breeze.
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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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Miguel A, Jasmary V and Evenio V did an outstanding job installing a sump, sump pump and dehumidifier in our 97 year old home. Well done…
Miguel A, Jasmary V and Evenio V did an outstanding job installing a sump, sump pump and dehumidifier in our 97 year old home. Well done team.
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