Before & After Photos

This wasn’t the first time that these Spruce, MI customers had looked for a crawl space solution. The cinder blocks support system in the before photo are a testament to that. They were installed after the last time the crawl space shifted. The crawl space had shifted quite a few time over the years because the home was located above a natural spring, so the homeowners doubted that the cinder blocks would be their last repair to the crawl space. However, the SmartJack system and steel support beams in the after photo could be.

While the SmartJack system will essentially provide the same support as the cinderblocks, they have the unique advantage of being installed into the ground. The SmartJacks are installed into excavated portions of the ground and then backfilled with a cement and gravel mixture to keep them in place. With any luck, this crawl space won't have to worry about any more shifts or tilts for a long time. 

After feeling their home begin to sink this Spruce, MI couple decided not to take any chances. Having a natural spring beneath their home brought immediate concern. The couple began searching for crawl space experts and quickly found us.

Upon assessing their needs, we devised a solution consisting of five Smart Jacks and a steel support beam to stabilize our new friend’s home. The Smart Jack is a supplemental support system for crawl space applications. The Smart Jack efficiently supports sagging beams and floor joists caused by, a length of span greater than spanning capability, floor load increased after construction, exceeding design values, and weakening over time due to high moisture and rot. We are so thankful for the opportunity to provide a permanent crawl space support solution for the issue this delightful Spruce, MI couple faced.

Ron called because there was a 3x5 area in the crawl space - the area under the chimney - where the floor joists were rotting through. We added new supports to the existing joists and bolstered the whole area with two SmartJack crawl space support posts.

We received a call from these Fife Lake, MI customers because the joists in their cabin crawl space were rotting. When the cabin was raised years ago, the crawl space foundation was redone, and the joists hadn’t seen any repairs since. As you can see in the before pictures, time hadn’t been kind to the wood. The after photo shows where the crew reinforced the failing joists with galvanized steel beams. After the joists were fully supported, the crew installed our SmartJack system. The SmartJacks work just like normal jacks and were able to lift the sagging floor. Rotting joists won’t trouble this crawl space again. 

This customer called because he noticed significant cracking in his basement wall. Our team of experts visited his home and found a sure sign of wall failure: horizontal cracking. Horizontal cracks usually start out small and continue to increase in size over time. Without a proper fix, the soil outside of his home will continue to put constant pressure on the wall, causing it to crack and bow inward even further. This can cause serious problems for a homeowner in the future if it is not taken care of. 

To prevent his wall from failing we decided to install the Geo-Lock anchor system. This system involved the installation of steel earth anchors underneath the soil out away from the home. These anchors are then connected and secured to steel plates located on the foundation wall using steel rods. This ensures your wall is stabilized and will not continue to bow inward any further. A great benefit of these wall anchors is that the rods can be tightened during dry periods when the soil is not pushing on the house as much, which can begin to straighten the wall over time.