Muskegon, MI's Trusted Foundation Repair & Basement Waterproofing Company

While many Muskegon homes have a crawl space, most homeowners don't give them much thought. After all, unlike a basement, it's not an area of the home where they spend much time. However, both spaces are equally important to the structural integrity of the home, and keeping them in good condition is essential. Unfortunately, crawl spaces are vulnerable to a variety of problems that affect your entire home.

Common Crawl Space Problems

Addressing basement flooding and leaking can be more complex than you think. We need to identify where water is coming in and why to fix the issue. Here are some common wet basement problems and how to spot them in your home:

• Basement wall Cracks: Cracked walls are an obvious sign of moisture intrusion. But cracks and water damage can be harder to see in homes with a finished basement. Problems may not show until stains appear on drywall. If that is the case, you will need to remove the wall and sometimes the carpeting surrounding it to get a better idea of the issue.
• Basement Floor & Wall Stains: Water stains are a clear sign of water intrusion and become visible after the water is dry. They often look blotchy and discolored in finished basements, appearing on walls or carpets. Water stains look similar in unfinished basements, appearing as semi-uniform, discolored spots on concrete walls and floors.
• Basement Flooding: If your home has pooling water in the basement, this can indicate a severe issue.
• Basement Mold: A humid, damp basement is the perfect environment for mold and other fungi to thrive. Mold typically appears as black patches, white or yellow powder, and shapes and colors in corners where walls and floors meet, under surfaces, around window frames, and in leaky areas.
• Leaky Egress Windows: Old basement windows with rotting framing, cracks, or faulty pieces can lead to interior water damage and leaking. Basement windows with wooden frames are also particularly vulnerable, as they can attract mold and rot. If you notice crumbling wooden frames, peeling paint, soft wood, or discoloration in your egress windows, it may be time for a replacement.

Since 1981, Ayers Basement Systems has been Muskegon's trusted basement waterproofing company offering a suite of solutions and quality service to keep the below-grade space dry and secure. With the backing of the Basement Systems network, we have exclusive access to warrantied products, proven solutions, and professional training from industry experts. Our skilled crew can quickly and accurately identify the cause of moisture intrusion and design a basement waterproofing solution to fit your situation.

Our Basement Waterproofing System Includes:

• French drains
• Sump pumps
• Vapor barrier
• Basement wall insulation
• Egress windows
• Basement dehumidifier

Schedule a free basement waterproofing estimate and onsite inspection to see how we can create a drier, more secure below-grade space in your home!

While a DIY project can be a great way to save money, it can cause more harm than good for basement waterproofing. Diagnosing the cause of a wet basement can be tricky - and a bad project can seriously impact the structural integrity, safety, and value of the home.

Even if you decide to fix the basement on your own and everything looks great after, it will not guarantee that you stopped the problem for good. It may even cost you more to fix the faulty system in a year or two. Hiring the professional basement waterproofers at Ayers Basement Systems saves you money because we have the training and skill to ensure all issues, seen and unseen, are safely addressed the first time.

How We Encapsulate Your Muskegon Crawl Space

• Install Airtight Doors & Vent Covers: The first step to crawl space encapsulation is to stop the cycle of cold, humidity, and moisture from outside air by sealing your crawl space doors and vents. However, water can still enter the crawl space through other sources.
• Eliminate Sources of Standing Water: The next step is to remove any sources of flooding by installing a crawl space drain and sump pump system. Although they will prevent water from flooding the crawl space, moisture can still enter through the porous concrete walls and floors, usually in the form of water vapor that turns into condensation.
• Make Structural Repairs: A wet crawl space is prone to wood rot and mold that eats away at the structure and weakens its structural integrity. If the crawl space is damaged, the next step is to install crawl space support jacks to repair and strengthen the structure.
• Encapsulate & Insulate the Crawl Space: Next, a durable crawl space vapor barrier is installed to stop moisture and humidity from passing through the floor and concrete walls.
• Install a Crawl Space Dehumidifier: The last step is to install an energy-efficient, self-draining dehumidifier to keep the crawl space cool and dry.

Ayers Basement Systems offers a lifetime, transferable warranty for our crawl space encapsulation services. That means you can rest easy knowing your Muskegon crawl space will remain clean and dry for a lifetime.

Ayers Basement Systems takes the guesswork out of fixing wet basements and we recommend a customized waterproofing solution that will resolve problems quickly and provide lasting results. Schedule a free basement waterproofing estimate in Muskegon to learn more!

A dirty, wet crawl space will put the rest of your home at risk. If left to fester, crawl space moisture issues can lead to home mold and mildew, unhealthy indoor air, high energy bills, and foundation problems. These issues are expensive to repair, lower your home's curb appeal and value, and can even make the home impossible to sell.

But your expert crawl space repair company, Ayers Basement Systems, has the perfect solution to guarantee the safety, security, and value of your home with our crawl space encapsulation system. By sealing the crawl space from outdoor elements, we keep the area dry and prevent moisture-related issues.

Our multi-step, patented crawl space encapsulation process transforms the below-grade space into a clean, dry, and usable area!

The Crawl Space Encapsulation System:

• Airtight Doors & Vent Covers: First, we seal your crawl space doors and vents to stop cold, humidity, and moisture from entering the area.
• Installing a Sump Pump & Drainage System: To remove sources of crawl space flooding and leaks, we install a crawl space sump pump and drainage system.
• Crawl space dehumidifier: To eliminate high humidity that can lead to condensation, mold, and wood rot, we install a compact, high-performance dehumidifier.
• Crawl Space Jacks: If your crawl space was exposed to moisture for long, wood rot and mold can eat away at floor joists and weaken the structural integrity. If this is the case, we install crawl space support jacks to provide additional support and permanently strengthen the structure.
• Crawl Space Vapor Barrier: We install a durable and moisture-proof vapor barrier to stop moisture and humidity from passing through the floor and walls.

If you have bouncy, sinking floors above the crawl space, this could indicate structural damage. Other signs of a structural issue in the crawl space are cracks in interior drywall, sticking windows and doors, and visibly deteriorating or sagging floor joists. If you have a nasty, wet crawl space, then many factors can cause crawl space structural issues, including:

• Wood rot on floor joists
• Faulty foundation design & installation
• Sagging crawl space support posts
• Foundation damage
• Water intrusion

The professional crawl space repair company, Ayers Basement Systems, has seen it all and can deal with any structural damage you may have in the below-grade space. We provide a permanent solution for sagging floor joists with SmartJack® Crawl Space Jacks.

We install the SmartJack system to provide additional support to the structure. The system is also adjustable - so we can restore the floors above to their original position and modify them if needed over the years. Plus, it is compatible with our crawl space encapsulation system, so we can ensure the area is dry, structurally secure, and usable for years to come!

Diagnosing foundation problems can be a tricky process. Clear signs of damage, like wall cracks or a leaning chimney, can mean different things and will require unique structural repairs. There are also less obvious symptoms, like doors and windows jamming. But with a professional foundation inspection from the experts at Ayers Basement Systems, we can accurately pinpoint areas of concern and recommend permanent solutions.

Ayers Basement Systems has been your trusted foundation repair company for decades. So you can have absolute confidence that we've seen it all and will address any issue your home may have. We also understand that no two problems are the same - and we provide customizable foundation repairs based on your situation.

Common Signs of Foundation Problems:

• Sticking windows and doors
• Leaning chimney
• Sinking floors
• Tilting or bowing walls
• Sagging floor joists
• Interior ceiling, floor, and wall cracks
• Foundation cracks
• Basement flooding & leaking

When it comes to permanent foundation repairs, accurately identifying structural damage is crucial. But whether your foundation has leaky wall cracks, foundation heave, or bowing walls, Ayers Basement Systems offers top-of-the-line structural repair solutions throughout Michigan & Indiana, including Muskegon and nearby.

Foundation Wall problems & Our Solutions

• Wall Cracks:

  Hairline cracks are a common sign of regular wear and settlement. These are often less severe. But stair step cracks, horizontal cracks, and leaky cracks with bowing or tilting walls are signs of a serious issue and need to be addressed as soon as possible.

  We provide helical foundation piers to fix and repair wall cracks from foundation settlement. We drive them deep into the ground in stable, load-bearing soils that can support the weight of the home. Piers prevent future cracking and can be adjusted to provide lasting support.

• Tilting or Bowing Walls:Expanding and contracting soils from hydrostatic pressure can cause strain on poured concrete foundation walls, causing them to lean or tilt with horizontal and diagonal cracks. After, the walls will start to bulge inward at the top. If you have noticed signs of tilting or bowing walls, we recommend GeoLock® Wall Anchors. Wall anchors secure the foundation to stable soils and restore walls to their original position. They also prevent future bowing and tilting. The PowerBrace™ Wall Repair System is another solution we provide for failing foundation walls, including ones that are tilting, bowing, or buckling.
• Basement Leaking Through Wall Cracks:

  The below-grade space is a humid area prone to nasty moisture-related issues that can wreak havoc on the entire house. Water can seep into the basement through porous concrete and cracks, causing home mold, musty odors, flooding, wood rot, and other issues.

  If your foundation has wall cracks, we recommend helical piers for damage caused by foundation settlement. We also provide a patented basement waterproofing system to prevent leaking and flooding.

Foundation Floor Problems & Our Solutions

The most common signs of floor problems in a failing foundation are uneven surfaces and cracks. Once foundation settlement occurs in the soil below the home, it can no longer support the weight of the house. The dirt can also compress underneath, straining the foundation and causing it to sink. If left unrepaired, foundation settlement can lead to cracked, sinking floors throughout the property.

Helical piers are the best option to stabilize floor problems caused by foundation settlement. By driving piers into more stable, load-bearing soil, we create a solid base and can transfer the weight there. Foundation piers can also be adjusted, restoring the home to its original position, closing cracks, and creating long-term support.

Whether your home has a leaning chimney, a settling foundation, bowing walls, or wall cracks, you can trust Ayers Basement Systems with all your structural repair needs. As your trusted foundation repair company, we have been offering permanent solutions and quality service to Muskegon, MI homeowners since 1981. We are also an exclusive partner of the Supportworks network, featuring over 300 of the leading foundation repair contractors throughout the nation. This also allows us access to patented products, lasting solutions, and professional training from the best minds in the industry.

By accurately diagnosing your foundation problems and providing high-quality, proven solutions, we fix issues the first time and for life. Plus, your satisfaction is so important to us, we offer a transferable lifetime warranty for all products and services. That means you can have absolute confidence that your home is protected!

• PolyLevel features a lightweight polyurethane foam that expands and hardens for an accurate lift. Mudjacking uses a heavy water, soil, sand, and cement slurry mixture.
• PolyLevel is non-invasive and quick to install, which involves an expanding foam injected through small 5/8 inch holes to fill voids and rais slabs. Mudjacking requires larger holes, 1 to 2 inches, with the slurry being pumped under. Due to the weight and consistency, the slurry tends to be messier.
• PolyLevel cures in under an hour while mudjacking can take up to 24 hours or more.
• PolyLevel is a lightweight foam to provide more precise lifting because it won't add unnecessary weight to the slab. The heavy slurry from mudjacking adds extra weight, which is a problem where soil contraction is a concern.
• PolyLevel is the more durable option, as it is resistant to moisture and has less risk of re-settlement over time. The slurry from mudjacking can absorb moisture, which can lead to more settling and less stability.

By addressing sinking, cracked concrete early, you prevent future damage. Here is how:

• Cracked concrete repair will prevent water infiltration that causes expansion and additional damage.
• Concrete sealing instantly adds a barrier to the surface to protect slabs from wear, freeze-thaw cycles, moisture, chemicals, UV rays, abrasions, and more.

We provide concrete leveling and repairs for:

• Driveways
• Patios
• Walkways
• Garage floors
• Interior floors
• Warehouse floors
• And more!

When creating a secure, dry basement, the windows can be one of the best places to start. Old, outdated windows with rotting framing and cracks in the glass can be a source of water intrusion and flooding. Plus, if you have bedrooms or other living spaces in the basement, you'll want a safe exit point in case of a fire or another emergency. Egress windows also add value to the home, as they are a great source of natural light and ventilation.

Benefits of Egress Windows:

• A safe exit emergency exit during a crisis
• Compliant with Michigan Residential Code
• Increases resale value
• Allows more natural light to enter basement living spaces
• Increases property value
• A beautiful source of natural light
• Adds to the home curb appeal & style
• Allows for ventilation
• Can allow you to increase your living space
• Improves home energy efficiency
• Will prevent mildew & mold

Updating old and leaky basement windows can positively impact the entire house. Egress windows are also a great way to improve home comfort, value, and curb appeal. And with Ayers Basement Systems, our high-quality products and quality craftsmanship ensure your house is code compliant, secure, and beautiful.

Here is a list of some standards to bring basement egress windows into compliance as per the Michigan Residential Code:

• Provide a Safe Exit: Windows must fully open and allow an emergency exit point in a crisis.
• Size Requirements: Egress windows must be a minimum of 36 inches wide and 9 square feet long.
• Steps or Ladder: Egress windows have a built-in step system or permanently affixed ladder for a safe exit.
• Surrounding Area: The egress window must have 48 inches of space between the top of the window well and the bottom of the joists if located under a porch or deck.

Many contractors think installing an egress window is the same process as installing windows. But your basement is vulnerable to water intrusion - and if a contractor installs the egress window wrong, it can lead to basement flooding, mold, pest problems, or worse. But there is no reason to worry. Ayers Basement Systems is your trusted egress window installation expert. We make sure the job is right the first time.

Our high-quality egress windows offer proven protection, with composite polymer material in a single-piece construction to prevent structural deterioration over time. They are IRC-compliant and include built-in steps, a beautiful stone finish, and attractive window well covers, so you do not have to worry about window leaks.

Ayers Basement Systems has been serving Michigan homeowners since 1981. We provide reliable basement waterproofing and egress window installations. We can bring your below-grade space into compliance with state regulations and ensure a beautiful, secure area! Schedule a free service estimate in Muskegon to learn more.