Your Trusted, Local Lake County, MI Wet Basement & Structural Repair Company

Scott and Angela recently purchased this fixer-upper next door to their lake home in Irons, MI with the intention of cleaning the place up. After a few grueling months, they had almost accomplished their goal. All that was left was everyone’s favorite room to clean, the basement.

Armed with several of our waterproofing systems – WaterGuard, TripleSafe, IceGuard, and BrightWall panels – the Ayers crew stepped in and took the project over. Unsurprisingly, beautifying and waterproofing go hand in hand here at Ayers. Our rigid plastic BrightWall panels were attached in front of the older walls and helped to capture that partially finished appeal that Scott and Angela were looking for. The panels also offer another layer of separation between the basement and the drainage that will take place behind the panels. As water leaks through the old block wall, it will flow into the WaterGuard perimeter drainage system and follow the below-floor pipes to the sump pump for discharge. So any flow of water will happen behind the scenes of the basement. Our TripleSafe sump pump and IceGuard systems are ideal for cottages and homes that aren’t used year round. The TripleSafe sump comes with two additional backup pumps, one designed to prevent the system from failing because of overload and another to stand up to power failure. We’re guessing the last thing Scott and Angela want to do during a storm is frantically drive to their cottage just to make sure the basement isn’t flooding.  IceGuard will help ease their worries while they’re away, too. The shield is designed to expel water away from the foundation if the discharge line should freeze or clog because a waterproof basement should also come with peace of mind.

Scott and Angela were so pleased with the crew’s waterproofing work that they have already contacted us about crawl space and foundation repair for the home, as well.

This home was in need of a waterproofing system that would collect and discard intruding water. The water would enter the basement where the walls and floor meet and during heavy rain, several inches of water accumulated in the area.

The WaterGuard system was installed to make sure any intruding water was collected and discarded, rather than allowing it leak all over the floor. Specialized pipes were installed underneath the flooring up against the basement walls. Water entering the walls will drain down into the pipes and then exit into the home’s sump pump. We also installed inspection ports that give us access to the system if ever needed.

During heavy rainfall, several inches of water was entering this Baldwin, MI basement and the soon-to-be homeowners wanted the problem taken care of before they moved in.

To keep the basement dry, we installed the effective WaterGuard perimeter drainage system. Specialized pipes were installed underneath the flooring at the base of each wall, allowing water to easily enter the system and flow into the sump pump to be discarded from the home. The drainage pipes were installed on top of the footing to prevent them from clogging with dirt or other debris and placed slightly away from the wall to ensure intruding water had enough room to enter the system. The excavated flooring was replaced with concrete fill and the basement was ready for these new homeowners.

This Lansing homeowner has some water issues in the basement. A couple time a year they get standing water that comes in from cracks in the walls. They want to finish their basement but can't with water that comes in throughout the year so they called us for a solution. 

We installed a WaterGuard for the water to drain. The Waterguard sysetm is a french drain that is installed below the floor slab, resting on top of the foundation footing. This keeps the drainage system out of the "mud zone", where drains can clog. WaterGuard collects water that seeps through basement walls and drains it to your sump pump. This system is installed with minimal invasion of the slab, and all concrete is restored after installation. We added the IceGuard to the discharge line so that in the winter, water won't freeze and back up the sump pump causing flooding.

We also installed the PowerBrace Foundation Wall Repair System. This system is to stop futher damage to the walls and potentially straighten the wall. The PowerBrace Systemn is made up of steel beams that are secured to joists above the wall with steel brackets.

Lastly we installed the SaniDry XP Dehumidifier to keep the basement dry. Even with waterproofing systems, the walls absorb moisture from the soil and release that damp air into the basement. The SaniDry XP blows dry air throughout the basement to keep it dry. The collected water can then drain into the sump pump or the perimeter drain.

Jeff called our team because he has a crawl space that he wanted sealed. So our team installed CleanSpace, a plastic sheet material used as a vapor barrier to restrict all moisture, outside air, and pests from entering your crawl space. Not only does this system create an energy-efficient crawl space, but it also gives your crawl space a clean finish. This material will be applied to your floors and walls to create a sleek look and an uninterrupted barrier.

This local Baldwin library had some water issues in half of the basement. They were looking to get some options for waterproofing and called us. We had just the solution to keep water out and the library dry! We started by installing the WaterGuard system which is a French drain that is installed under the floor but above the foundation so the drain does not clog. The system collects water that seeps through the basement walls and drains it to the sump pump. This system installs quickly and has a clean appearance as all the concrete is restored after installation so you don't have to worry about an unsightly drain in your basement. We also installed the SaniDry Sedona which is a basement dehumidifier that eliminates damp, musty odors by drying and filtering air. It also filters mold spores, dust mite droppings, dust and other particles in the basement. The best part is its small size so it takes up less space in your basement. Lastly we installed BrightWall Basement Wall Panels that are made out of plastic and creates a vapor barrier on your basement walls to block out water vapor and humidity. It can also direct water seepage into the WaterGuard drain system to keep the area dry. The best part is it gives your basement a bright and clean look!

Beverly has a cottage in Baldwin that had an addition added. She has noticed the floors in the older part of her home has started to go down about 2 inches and needs support. We used SmartJacks to stabilize the flooring and lift is back up to the original level. These support posts are made of steel and secured to the floor joists with a steel bracket and has a sturdy base on the ground. They are adjustable at any time if your home needs it to provide a permanent solution to your problems.

We received a call from Kenneth, hoping to purchase a waterproofing system for his basement. He noticed occasional water intrusion seeping in through the walls. He spoke to our team at Ayers, and we set up an appointment for a free inspection. After reviewing the basement leaks, our system design specialists recommended our WaterGuard system. This solution consists of a subfloor drain placed around the perimeter of the basement, collecting water that creeps in through the walls. Concrete is poured over the top once installed to conceal the system. Kenneth was happy with the results our professionals provided!

We responded to a call from Donna, a homeowner seeking crawl space repair help. She attempted to eliminate the excess moisture forming in this area with a store-bought tarp. However, dirt and water vapor covered the tarp over time. She knew Ayers had the proper solutions, so we sent a crew for an inspection. Our system design specialists recommended CleanSpace. This heavy-duty airtight liner will seal and protect the crawl space from excess moisture. The vapor barrier property it holds will eradicate the threat of mold or bacteria growth. This solution covers the crawl space floors and deters other pesky critters from entering this space. Donna is impressed with the attractive new look of her crawl space!

Julie contacted us at Ayers Basement Systems to find the cause of a rotten smell in her basement. After conducting an inspection, our team determined the smell was coming from leaks in the foundation. Our team suggested installing our WaterGuard system in combination with the CleanSpace system. WaterGuard is a French drain system that sits below the basement floor and above the home's footing, allowing the drain to catch any water from the foundation. The CleanSpace liner is a heavy-duty plastic liner that creates a vapor barrier preventing moisture from getting into the space. These systems work together to eliminate leaks and prevent a rotten smell from forming!

Dave worried the slant in his family room floor would never disappear. The slant seemed even more steep the longer he left it alone. He needed this fixed, so he researched his options and called Ayers for help. We sent a crew to his home who recommended installing the SmartJacks supplemental support system. SmartJacks are a system of floor jacks hot-dipped in galvanized steel and zinc plated to ensure they last as long as the home. The two-foot base depth beneath each jack reduces load-bearing stress by up to ninety percent. Dave is relieved to have a flat floor once again!

With colder weather came colder floors in Karla's home, and she hated having cold feet. She researched her options online and called Ayers to learn about the issue. Our crew of professionals visited her home to evaluate and realized the vents in her crawl space allowed cold air underneath her house. They suggested and installed the CleanSpace vapor barrier, a highly durable and antimicrobial material. CleanSpace deters moisture and cold air entry by fully encapsulating the crawl space walls and floors. Karla is far more comfortable with warm feet!

Chelsea noticed a musty smell in the living space of her home and wasn't sure where it originated. She searched her whole house for the source with no luck. After researching her options, she called Ayers to learn about our waterproofing solutions, and we sent a crew of professionals to her home. They evaluated the space and recommended the installation of CleanSpace, the vapor barrier designed to eliminate moisture entry and mold growth. CleanSpace is constructed of antimicrobial-lined material and applied to the crawl space floors and walls. Chelsea loves the fresh smell of her home! 

The owner of this 1950s Michigan cottage had become increasingly worried as the north wall of the basement began to lean, putting the home’s structural integrity—and their peace of mind—at risk. With dirt floors and the pressure of surrounding hill soil, they knew they needed a lasting solution to make their beloved space safe and functional year-round.

System Design Specialist recommended our EverBrace™ system, designed to stabilize failing walls. This solution included securing the wall with steel I-beams and corrugated panels, then injecting low-rise polyurethane foam to reinforce the structure and fill voids. Our installation crew expertly positioned the steel supports and injected the foam to transfer the load, restoring stability to the foundation.

Now, with EverBrace in place, the homeowner can enjoy their cottage year-round once again, knowing it’s structurally sound and secure for years to come.