Ayers Basement Systems Before & After Photos

A home in Lansing had cracks in the driveway and basement floor, allowing water to seep in and weeds to grow through. To fix the issues, the cracks were sealed, and uneven areas were leveled with PolyLevel. The repairs left the driveway and basement smooth, safe, and protected from future damage.

This was a classic foundation problem with a slight twist. One of the basement walls in this Lansing, MI rental homes was crumbling inward. The homeowner had installed a retaining wooden wall a few feet in front of the original to hold back dirt and other debris, but now, that wall was tilting inward as well. After a visit from a house inspector ended with a red tag, the homeowner knew he had to something about the wall.

Our PowerBrace system has been used to fix all types of different retaining walls and bowing foundations, so the crew was confident the system would get the job done here as well. The Powerbrace beams were installed the same way they always are, with the top of the beam being bracketed to the floor joists in the ceiling and the bottom of the beam securely installed into the foundation. The big difference between this and a typical PowerBrace installation was that the beams are usually in contact with the collapsing wall from top to bottom.  Since the wooden wall was only half the height of the basement, that wasn’t a possibility this time around. Like with every other PowerBrace system, these beams’ tightness can be adjusted after installation, so the retaining wall will continue to stand strong even as time passes. While PowerBrace is a permanent solution for this retaining wooden wall, Ayers offers a variety of systems that could have prevented the original stone wall from failing. If you’re at all worried about your own foundation, then be sure to give us a call before it’s too late.

Homeowners in Lansing, MI were experiencing frequent water puddles in the corner of their basement. The problem? No sump pump!

We installed SuperSump. With the option of a backup pump, this system can pump out up to 2,220 gallons of water per hour. As this basement has occasional puddles and damp areas, this pump system was a perfect fit as it will work to keep the basement dry and healthy for extended periods of time. 

This customer gave us a call after noticing a change in her basement walls. Large horizontal cracks, like the one seen in this before picture, are one of the key signs that a wall is starting to bow inwards due to outside soil pressure. There are several possible approaches for correcting bowing walls. In this particular case, we used our PowerBrace system.

The after photo shows one of the nine different steel beams and brackets used in that system. As you can see, the tops of the beams were attached to the floor joists in the ceiling with a special tightening bracket. The long bolt is what makes adjusting and tightening the system possible.  As the beams were installed, any pressure that was being applied to the foundation walls was shifted over to the PowerBrace system, allowing the wall to straighten back to its original position over time.

Because your basement walls are essential to your homes integrity, we urge you to call us as soon as you notice a buckling, bowing or collapsing wall like this. To find out more about the common signs of a failing foundation wall, click here. 

This 1958 home was struggling with water leaking into the basement. While the cinder block walls had stood the test of time, they were starting to fail against water pressure. To stop the leaking water from puddling on the basement floor, the crew installed a perimeter drainage system. You can see part of the metal pipe resting at the foot of the wall in the after photo.

Perimeter Drainage systems, like WaterGuard, sit in the floor and wall joint to collect water that runs down the wall and then directs it to the sump pump. The sump will then pump the water out of the basement and to a LawnScape outlet for discharge. Also visible in the after photo are the inspection ports where the system can be checked for clogging or obstructions that would stop the system from operating at its full potential. With a waterproof system in place, this home will hopefully last another 50+ years.