Raising Concrete Slabs | Alternative to Mudjacking | PolyLEVEL™ System by Foundation Supportworks.

Soil erosion and settlement often cause concrete slabs in patios, sidewalks and driveways to sink into the ground. This type of settlement isn’t just unsightly; it can also cause more damage and can be a safety hazard. Water tends to pool on sunken surfaces and unleveled floors cause a trip hazard. Until now, the only solution available to repair sinking slabs was mudjacking, a process that involves drilling holes in the slab to inject a mixture of cement and mud underneath, to raise it back to level. Foundation Supportworks, an industry leader in the development of foundation repair technologies and solutions, proudly introduces the most advanced alternative to mudjacking - the PolyLEVEL™ System. The PolyLEVEL™ System is a state-of-the-art approach to repairing sinking concrete slabs. It combines the concept of mudjacking with the most advanced technology. Instead of using a mix of mud and cement to raise the slab, PolyLEVEL™ utilizes high-density polyurethane specially engineered for this purpose. The advantages of using PolyLEVEL™ over conventional mudjacking are many. PolyLEVEL™ is lighter than mud-cement mixes (4lbs per cubic yard opposed to concrete's 120lbs). It will raise the slab without adding a lot of weight to it. The expanding nature of the material allows it to penetrate crevices in the soil, completely filling the cavity and safely raising the slab to the desired level. PolyLEVEL™ is also environmentally-friendly and made with recycled materials. It can be installed in just one day, through smaller, penny-sized holes drilled in the concrete and just 5 minutes after installation you can walk or drive over the slab! There is no need for extended periods of curing, as is the case with cement and mud compounds. Yellowstone Structural Systems is a foundation repair company serving Montana and Wyoming with expert products and solutions you can trust. For more information about the PolyLEVEL™ System and how we can help level your sidewalk, garages, or concrete slabs, please call or contact us today!

Raising a Sinking Foundation with Push Piers

There are a number of disturbing signs a homeowner may encounter that indicate a foundation settlement problem. Cracks on the exterior of your home, cracks in drywall on interior walls, doors and windows sticking or not opening, and/or your chimney pulling away from your home are all issues that point to the same problem -- foundation settlement. Foundation Supportworks' Push Pier System is the right answer.

Structural Support for Decks, Sunrooms and Mobile Homes | EZ Post by Foundation Supportworks

EZ Post is Foundation Supportworks’ solution to provide long-term stabilization and reinforce the structural support of many light weight structures, including decks, porches, sun rooms, storage sheds, pergolas, gazebos, and mobile homes. EZ Post can be installed in existing structures and new construction. Typical light structure construction relies on shallow concrete footings that are usually poured to support the piers. These footings are prone to shifting, because the soil that supports them tends to expand when wet and contract when dry. In colder climates, frost can also cause soil movement. Overtime this shifting can compromise the structure. EZ Posts are driven deep into the soil, past the depth in which soil movement can cause them to shift. They offer utmost strength and stability and installation is quick and there is no waiting time for the concrete to cure. EZ Posts can be installed year-round – even in subzero temperatures – with minimal disruption to your yard and construction site. The portable installation equipment makes it easy to install in areas with tight access. EZ Post is installed exclusively by Foundation Supportworks dealers across the U.S., Canada and U.K.

Surviving Sandy: How the TripleSafe Sump Pump System Kept Basements Dry During the Storm

In 2011, Hurricane Irene wreaked havoc along the East Coast. The Romanos and the Kesslers, two Long Island homeowners, had their basements destroyed by a flood for the first time. To add insult to injury, Mrs. Kessler learned the hard way – as did many homeowners in the affected areas -- that the damages weren’t covered under their homeowner’s insurance policy. After dealing with the messy and costly cleanup, both families decided that they would take every precaution to avoid going through something like that ever again. After shopping around, and looking at several solutions proposed by other waterproofing companies, they opted to have Basement Systems come and install a full WaterGuard interior drainage system and a TripleSafe Sump Pump System. When they heard of Hurricane Sandy, which even before landfall was already being nicknamed “Frankenstorm” by meteorologists, they didn’t believe their basements could survive it. In October of 2012, Hurricane Sandy hit the eastern shore, flooding streets and entire neighborhoods along the coast, and leaving millions without power for many days. While all their neighbors were dealing with devastating basement floods, their basements, to their surprise, were kept dry and safe. Even after the Romanos had to turn off their generators and lost power completely, the battery operated backup sump pump, which is part of the TripleSafe system, was working to keep their basement dry. Once again, Basement System’s TripleSafe Sump Pump was put to the ultimate test, and passed! What is going to happen to your basement when the next storm strikes? Call your local Basement Systems dealer today for a free estimate, and give yourself the peace of mind you deserve, knowing that your basement will be dry…all the time!

Sump Pump Comparison

A comparison of sump pumps by Larry Janesky from Connecticut Basement Systems.

How to Waterproof a Basement | Ron Hazelton’s House Calls feat. Basement Systems

Like many homeowners across the US, Ron Hazelton had a flooding basement which kept him awake during heavy rain periods. The problem was so serious that after each storm he had to use a mop and a floor sucker to get rid of the rising waters. After a particularly messy flooding episode, he decided that it was time to get the problem solved once and for all. He scoured the internet for companies providing state-of-the-art basement waterproofing solutions -- and found Basement Systems. Larry Janesky, the company’s owner, came to inspect Ron’s home. After a thorough evaluation, Larry was able to explain to Ron exactly what the problem was and what would be the perfect solution. Like many others with similar problems, Ron’s basement was flooding because during heavy rains the ground around his house would oversaturate with water. Hydrostatic pressure would begin to build up and push water against the wall. Following the path of least resistance, the water would then find its way into the basement through its weakest spot: the joint between the foundation walls and floor. More evidence of this problem was found all over the basement walls, in the form of efflorescence. Efflorescence is a chalky, powdery substance that builds up on basement walls when mineral-saturated water infiltrates the concrete and then evaporates into the basement, leaving these mineral salts behind. The solution for this type of problem resides in relieving the hydrostatic pressure by installing an internal perimeter drainage system. The system intercepts water before it enters the basement, diverts it to a sump pump system, and then evacuates it out and as far away from the foundation as possible. Larry and his crew at Basement Systems installed a full perimeter WaterGuard basement drainage system, and a TripleSafe sump pump system with two backup pumps, so that Ron can rest assured his basement will stay dry no matter how heavy the rains – and even in case of a power outage! The unsightly, efflorescence stained walls were covered with BrightWall acrylic panels. These panels not only spruce up the look of the walls, they also act as a vapor barrier, and intercept any water coming through the concrete walls, diverting it to the perimeter drainage. Ron can now enjoy peace of mind and sleep soundly through storms, knowing that his basement now has the best protection against flooding available in industry! Basement Systems is the world’s leader in developing basement waterproofing, basement finishing and foundation repair solutions. With over 20 years of success and unparalleled expertise, award-winning products, outstanding quality in customer care, and a dealership network of over 300 dealers across the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and Ireland, there’s no better place to find the best solutions for basements, crawl spaces, and foundations. Visit our website or call to locate a dealer near you and schedule your free, in-home inspection. We are proud to serve the greater Bozeman area including Belgrade, Manhattan, Livingston, Gallatin Gateway, White Sulphur Springs, Laurel and Butte for basement waterproofing, foundation repair and crawlspace repair.

Crawl Space Insulation

Welcome to the second Episode of the "All Things Basementy!" Video series. In this episode, Larry Janesky, owner and founder of Basement Systems, demonstrates the best way to insulate a crawl space. He shows how to make it not only energy-efficient, but also fully protected against high humidity and the typical moisture-related problems that plague millions of crawl spaces across the U.S. and Canada. Larry Janesky is not only a world's authority in crawl space environment, with over 20 years of experience in the field, but he is also the pioneer in the crawl space encapsulation industry, having developed the first and to date, the most advanced crawl space encapsulation system in industry: the revolutionary CleanSpace. The insulation method recommended by Larry is basically an evolution of the CleanSpace concept -- it is an all-in-one approach that includes the crawl space into the building envelope, by completely isolating it from the outside and from the ground. This approach offers superior thermal protection by preventing heat transfers through the walls and ground and curbing energy losses due to air leakage as well. It is also a better alternative for most crawl spaces than to simply insulate the floor above the crawl because it provides moisture protection for the entire space, not just the floor above it. After drainage was corrected with a crawl space drainage system and a sump pump system, the floor was covered with a drainage mat to allow the water to flow underneath and reach the drain tiles. The walls of the crawl space were then lined with SilverGlo rigid foam boards. SilverGlo is an extended polystyrene foam board infused with graphite that helps increase the material's R-Value up to 24%. The SilverGlo is also lined with a radiant liner on both sides. This silver lining acts as a vapor barrier keeping the moisture seeping through the walls from evaporating into the crawl. Inside the crawl, the silver lining also helps reflect heat back into the space. TerraBlock insulation boards were then used on top of the drainage mat, to prevent heat loss through the ground. The entire floor was then lined with the CleanSpace liner: a UV treated, puncture-resistant, multi-layered 20mil plastic liner with a built-in antimicrobial layer that will prevent mold growth. The clean space was then fastened to the walls and floor and thoroughly air sealed. This homeowner now enjoys a healthier and more comfortable home: no more humidity, mold and nasty smells from the crawl space during the summer, and no more cold drafts and cold floors during the winter. His energy bills are also much lower because without losing or gaining heat through the crawl, his HVAC system works more efficiently! Basement Systems and CleanSpace dealers have effectively treated and permanently fixed thousands of crawl spaces across the U.S.- we've been doing it longer than anyone else in industry! If you need help with your crawl space, trust the world's expert in All Things "Basementy"! Call or visit our website to schedule a free, in-home crawl space inspection and estimate! Want to learn more about basements and crawl spaces? Subscribe to our YouTube channel to be notified of all the upcoming "All Things Basementy!" videos! If you live in the greater Bozeman area including Belgrade, Manhattan, Livingston, Gallatin Gateway, White Sulphur Springs, Laurel and Butte, call now to schedule your free estimate for basement waterproofing, foundation repair or crawlspace repair!

Insulating a Rim Joist with SilverGlo

Welcome to the second Episode of the "All Things Basementy!" Video series. In this episode, Larry Janesky, owner and founder of Basement Systems, demonstrates the best way to insulate a crawl space. He shows how to make it not only energy-efficient, but also fully protected against high humidity and the typical moisture-related problems that plague millions of crawl spaces across the U.S. and Canada. Larry Janesky is not only a world's authority in crawl space environment, with over 20 years of experience in the field, but he is also the pioneer in the crawl space encapsulation industry, having developed the first and to date, the most advanced crawl space encapsulation system in industry: the revolutionary CleanSpace. The insulation method recommended by Larry is basically an evolution of the CleanSpace concept -- it is an all-in-one approach that includes the crawl space into the building envelope, by completely isolating it from the outside and from the ground. This approach offers superior thermal protection by preventing heat transfers through the walls and ground and curbing energy losses due to air leakage as well. It is also a better alternative for most crawl spaces than to simply insulate the floor above the crawl because it provides moisture protection for the entire space, not just the floor above it. After drainage was corrected with a crawl space drainage system and a sump pump system, the floor was covered with a drainage mat to allow the water to flow underneath and reach the drain tiles. The walls of the crawl space were then lined with SilverGlo rigid foam boards. SilverGlo is an extended polystyrene foam board infused with graphite that helps increase the material's R-Value up to 24%. The SilverGlo is also lined with a radiant liner on both sides. This silver lining acts as a vapor barrier keeping the moisture seeping through the walls from evaporating into the crawl. Inside the crawl, the silver lining also helps reflect heat back into the space. TerraBlock insulation boards were then used on top of the drainage mat, to prevent heat loss through the ground. The entire floor was then lined with the CleanSpace liner: a UV treated, puncture-resistant, multi-layered 20mil plastic liner with a built-in antimicrobial layer that will prevent mold growth. The clean space was then fastened to the walls and floor and thoroughly air sealed. This homeowner now enjoys a healthier and more comfortable home: no more humidity, mold and nasty smells from the crawl space during the summer, and no more cold drafts and cold floors during the winter. His energy bills are also much lower because without losing or gaining heat through the crawl, his HVAC system works more efficiently! Basement Systems and CleanSpace dealers have effectively treated and permanently fixed thousands of crawl spaces across the U.S.- we've been doing it longer than anyone else in industry! If you need help with your crawl space, trust the world's expert in All Things "Basementy"! Call or visit our website to schedule a free, in-home crawl space inspection and estimate! Want to learn more about basements and crawl spaces? Subscribe to our YouTube channel to be notified of all the upcoming "All Things Basementy!" videos!

What is an IceGuard? | All Things

In the coldest areas of the U.S., wintertime usually brings a load of potential wet basement problems to homeowners. To keep our basements dry year round, we rely on drainage systems installed along our foundation perimeter to collect the water from rain, snow and other types of frozen precipitation. The water is then channeled to a sump pump to pump this water up and out of the home through a discharge line and direct this water as far away from the house as possible. Sometimes during the winter -- especially after a significant snow fall -- the end of the discharge pipe might be covered with snow and ice, and water may freeze inside the discharge pipe, clogging the system. When that happens, the water returns back into the sump pit, and the sump pump will continuously recycle the water without the ability to get rid of it. Eventually, the overwhelmed sump pump may be unable to handle the volume of water and burn out - causing the basement to flood. To prevent that catastrophe from happening, Larry Janesky and his team at Basement Systems Inc. developed the IceGuard discharge line extension. The IceGuard has a patented design with perforations to keep the water flowing out of the basement, even if the end of the pipe is clogged, thus preventing basement flooding. Basement Systems, has been successfully fixing wet basements for well over 20 years, and using their accumulated experience to develop and perfect a full line of products designed to effectively and permanently solve all types of basement water problems. The IceGuard extension is just one of the many smart solutions designed to keep your basement dry and exclusively available to you through a dealership network of over 300 contractors across the U.S., Canada and U.K.

CleanSpace Crawl Space Encapsulation is Green!

The CleanSpace Crawl Space encapsulation system protects your home from mold, dry rot and structural damages. It also improves indoor air quality, eliminates musty crawl space odors, and makes your home more comfortable and easy to heat and cool, saving you a lot of money in energy bills!

Our Team in Action