Reliable Basement, Crawl Space & Foundation Repair Experts serving Columbia County, NY

Moisture was a big problem in this crawlspace, bringing great concern to the homeowner. The space itself was an older style that utilized stone bricks as opposed to concrete and already had a decent bit of water in the area, but that is not a problem for our team. 

Our design specialist came in to take a look over the crawlspace and figure out a way to keep the moisture out and the air healthy. What resulted from this inspection was a three-pronged approach involving drainage, dehumidification, and protection. To keep the water far away from the house, a TripleSafe sump pump was installed with proper add-ons to keep the water flowing away from the house and the system protected from the elements—especially ice. As for dehumidification, our team installed a Sanidry Sedona dehumidifier, designed to do as the name implies and prevent mold and odors from arising. Finally, to round out the crawlspace defense against moisture, a CleanSpace wall system was installed along with drainage matting to ensure water doesn’t have a fighting chance of sticking around the crawlspace.  

This customer already had a dry basement, but they wanted to stay ahead of the elements and decided to act before anything bad happened to their home. Oftentimes, an overlooked aspect of home renovation is making improvements before they’re even called for. This way, you’re not only making the space better, but you’re also creating a protective barrier against any potential damage.  

After looking over the space and discussing with the homeowner what the best course of action would be, our design specialist determined that a simple, full-height CleanSpace Wall System would do the trick. Once both parties agreed on the product, our installation team went in to do what they do best. In only a few short weeks, this customer’s basement went from being at the mercy of Mother Nature to safe and dry. 

This job was a pretty common one, but its importance to the health of a basement and house as a whole cannot be understated. This homeowner’s basement was being overwhelmed with flooding water, constantly pooling on the ground and causing damage along the walls and floors. Tired of having to deal with this problem, they called us and we sent a design specialist to work with them to draw up a plan of action to get the water out and keep it away from the house. 

The first step in the plan and process was to install a sump pump powerful enough to consistently move the water out of the basement before it has a chance to settle. The product decided on was the top-of-the-line TripleSafe sump system. This sump pump can handle high-volumes of water and includes features that will keep it running at optimum levels even in the event of freezing temperatures and power outages. We decided where to put the TripleSafe based on the location of the original sump and the piping in the house. When that was completed, we removed the old sump and replaced it with the TripleSafe, hooked it up to the pipes, then headed outside. We surveyed the area for the best location for the LawnScape Outlet, looking for somewhere far enough away from the house and at a proper angle that it wouldn’t send the discharged water right back into the basement. While this is going on, the second vital product is also being prepped and installed: WaterGuards.  

WaterGuards involve work around where the walls meet the floor as well as a bit along solely the ground. WaterGuards are fixed to these positions (primarily the joists) because they collect seeping moisture coming through either the walls or flooring and divert it to the sump pump system (in this instance, the TripleSafe) where it is sent out of the basement. For this homeowner and anyone else who has WaterGuards installed, this product is a perfect choice to pair with one of our sump pumps because it does a fantastic job of gathering intruding water and shipping it off to the sump where it is sent out, never to be seen again. This basement’s water problems are now in the past thanks to the TripleSafe and WaterGuard duo! 

This homeowner called us and asked for our help with their sagging floors. We checked out their basement and agreed that the floors were certainly sagging and the support beams underneath needed assistance. The product best suited for a job like this was the SmartJack. 

The installation process for this job was rather straightforward. Our team took measurements to see how significant the sinking floor was, then inspected the integrity of the support beams to gauge how much help they needed. Another important question that needed answering was where the floor was sagging; was it just in one area or was it widespread? Unfortunately, settlement was visible throughout the basement, but that didn’t mean the problem was unsolvable by any means, all it indicated was a series of SmartJacks would be needed. In total, 8 was determined to be the magic number. We measured out and marked evenly spaced spots to place the SmartJacks then measured the height from floor to ceiling to determine what size SmartJack was needed. Once that was completed, the order was placed, and the SmartJacks arrived, it was time to install! This process is simple: the SmartJack is cut to fit perfectly to the basement then set on a concrete pad aligned with the markings from before. Finally, the SmartJack is adjusted to a position where it can stop the settling floor and even lift it back to its original position. And what makes SmartJacks an even better product is that they are fully-adjustable, so if the foundation happens to shift or settle any more, the steel piers can be altered to keep that from happening. With this SmartJack system holding the floor up, foundation settlement will hardly have a chance to misalign this basement anymore.  

This was an all-around waterproofing job, but the photos primarily focus on one product, DryTrak, which we will get to in a moment. The primary issue this basement experienced was water pooling on the ground and causing damage in its wake. Our Design Specialist went over the basement, checking the extent of the damage, how much moisture was getting in, where it was coming in, and then, compiling all that information, they used it to map out a waterproofing plan to get this basement properly protected.  

First up, was the WaterGuard system. The WaterGuard is installed at the base of the wall where it meets the floor so we had to clear out some space in that location to make room for the product. Once installed, WaterGuard acts as a collector, outlining the basement and gathering any moisture that may seep in from either the walls or floor. Here’s where the DryTrak comes in to play: DryTrak covers the WaterGuard to protect it from getting damaged or clogged by dust or other debris, all while providing a cleaner look. The WaterGuard then takes the moisture and diverts it to the TripleSafe sump pump we installed to keep the water flowing out the basement and to a distance where it won’t come back. The TripleSafe is a highly efficient product that can handle large amounts of water at a time, making it a strong, reliable product to have in your basement. On the outside of the house, we added an IceGuard to the discharge system to keep the pump functioning during those cold winter months. All in all, this basement is well protected from invading water, thanks to these fantastic products! 

The walls of this basement were rather old, made of concrete blocks that had seen their fair share of water and foundational damage. Our work on this basement focused primarily on correcting the wall and foundation issues. It was evident that the walls were buckling based off the cracks scattered around and the measurements we took of how displaced it was from the original standing position. To keep the foundation from getting worse, we decided to install PowerBraces to give the home some much needed support. 

The process begins with lots of measuring and pre-planning. It’s important to know the size and dimensions of the basement, which walls are bowing, how much they've bowed, and where the PowerBraces would be most effective. A good rule of thumb (and this goes for pretty much anything involving the creation of a foundational base) is to provide even spacing so there isn’t one side taking on more weight and pressure than the others. If this happens, then it will deteriorate quicker and the problem will just come right back. Our team marked off locations for the PowerBraces and then got the product cut to fit perfectly from floor to ceiling. Once that was completed, we brought the PowerBraces into the basement and attached them snugly to the walls in their designated positions. And that’s that! The PowerBraces now act as a strong, reliable foundational support system, keeping the walls from buckling any further! And over time they can be tightened to reset the walls to their original position! And even though water may also be an issue for this basement, the homeowner doesn’t have to worry about the PowerBraces being damaged because they’re water resistant due to the zinc-coating they have. PowerBraces were a perfect choice for this basement and countless others like it dealing with buckling, cracking walls.  

Wall cracks can spell trouble for a foundation and also the basement’s ability to stay dry. Due to the porous nature of concrete, moisture will always have a way of getting in, but when you have a huge crack running down the wall, water can get in with immense ease, causing intense pooling, damage, and so much more. Thankfully for this homeowner and many like them, we had a solution that will stop the water leakage and cover the cracks all without any intense construction! 

The product we used to plug the cracks for this basement was Flexispan. The process started by looking over the basement to see how many cracks there were, how big they were, and if there were any other issues that needed addressing. In total, there were two cracks that were to be covered and us and the homeowner also agreed to install Brightwall to freshen up the look of the space and act an effective moisture and vapor barrier. Brightwall is not pictured in this series but it goes right over the preexisting wall and the Flexispan. Flexispan installation is a three part process that begins with a flexible sealant that is applied along the entire length of the crack. Next, a striple of porous, flexible foam is installed over the crack. Finally, an impermeable membrane was attached to the wall on both sides of the foam strip. Flexispan permanently stops water infiltration and won’t leak or reopen like mortar-based products, meaning this homeowner can rest easy knowing Flexispan has them covered! 

This customer’s basement walls were experiencing a number of cracks throughout and the walls themselves were bowing significantly. Thankfully, we have a product that solved both of these issues because they are symptoms of the same problem and that product was our PowerBrace System. 

The PowerBrace installation process started with careful study, going over each wall, each crack, and every inch. It was important to not overlook anything because if we underestimate the extent of the damage then the problem will only get worse. Pre-production is a vital part of the job and we take the proper time in order to ensure things are going to be right the first time. After surveying the damage and knowing how much the walls have been displaced, we then marked off evenly spaced spots with tape for where each PowerBrace will go. In total, thirteen were needed. When that task was completed, we prepped the PowerBraces, double-checking they’re the right size and shaving them down where need be so that they’re a perfect fit. Then, we placed each PowerBrace in their designated spot and fastened them securely to the wall. PowerBraces are noninvasive, so the basement was hardly disturbed by the installation and is now in a stable position to keep the walls from buckling any further and even will help straighten them over time with their ability to be tightened. PowerBraces are strong, sturdy, and reliable, perfect for an basement that’s in need of a foundational boost! 

Basement cracks are inevitable the longer a basement is left without attention. The ground around a home is bound to shift over time; that is simply a fact of nature. When the soil moves, it causes the integrity of a home’s foundation to deteriorate, which is when you see cracks, bowing walls, sagging floors, and more. In the case of this home, cracks and buckling walls were what they were dealing with so they needed something that could stop the foundation from being displaced any further. That is where our product, PowerBraces, came into play. 

PowerBrace installation started with careful planning and measuring. An accurate, properly spaced setup needed to be created to maintain even weight across the system. If the measurements are off by even a little bit, it could potentially lead to a system failure, which would be detrimental to the foundation. Locations were marked on the walls using tape, then PowerBraces of the proper height were ordered and brought in. Then, the team cut them slightly so that they fit perfectly in the basement. Next, they attached the PowerBraces right to the wall at the designated locations. Finally, they tightened them up a bit and the job was done. The wonderful thing about PowerBraces, besides their strength and reliability, is that installation and their presence causes no disruption to the basement. No outside excavation was required and since they go right up against the wall, things can be placed right up next to them, and the homeowner won’t have to duck and dodge around anything. Also, PowerBraces can be tightened over time by our Service Technicians, helping the basement wall slowly return to its original position. PowerBraces are an all-around great solution for basement walls in need of support!

This homeowner had concerns about the floors of their home sagging along with the foundation walls potentially buckling. One of our certified design specialists went out and inspected the foundation of the home, both in the basement and above, to gauge how displaced the walls and floors were. After they took their measurements and double-checked every possible issue, they and the homeowner came together and got a plan in place to stabilize the home. Our installation team started with SmartJacks, a series of support beams that line up in the basement and lift the floor from underneath. SmartJacks help stabilize the floor and can be tightened to return the floor to its original position. During annual maintenance visits, our service technician will check the system and tighten the SmartJacks to gradually raise the floor, avoiding any damage that would be caused by a sharp, sudden lift.  

To address the buckling walls, CarbonArmor was selected to keep the problem from getting worse. The reason CarbonArmor was chosen and not another product like PowerBraces was because the home sat on a stone block foundation. CarbonArmor works best on these types of foundation because they act almost like large straps, keeping the blocks from pushing out any further and causing a full foundation failure. CarbonArmor is an incredibly strong material that contours to any basement wall, utilizing fiber-reinforced polymers that are ten times stronger than steel. 

With both of these products hard at work, this home’s foundation has plenty of strength to lean on!