Job Stories

This Old Orchard Beach, ME, homeowner was looking to retire and spend time enjoying their home, but they were unable to relax when they knew that work needed to be done to their crawl space. The homeowner’s cinder block foundation was moving in the corner and even crumbling in section. They already had to replace carrying beams because of rot due to high moisture. Looking for a solution that would fix their problems and give them peace of mind, they booked a free estimate with TC Hafford Basement Systems. System Design Specialist Brian Donnelly met with the homeowner, and together they designed a system that would surpass the homeowner’s expectations and stabilize and protect the home.   First, the failing foundation wall needed to be addressed to protect the home from shifting and causing damage to the walls and putting the homeowner in unsafe living conditions. A StableLock wall system was installed where necessary to stabilize the wall and prevent it from ever shifting again. StableLock fills voids and creates a smooth wall with the best qualities of a newly poured foundation without the need to lift the home, which is more expensive and requires the occupants to move out for a period of time. StableLock can be set up and installed in just two days without the homeowner having to leave the property at all.   Next, the moisture and high humidity needed to be taken care of to protect the home against mold and more wood rot. To handle groundwater, Perforated Pipe was installed to channel water to the new TripleCrawl Sump Pump system. The TripleCrawl system is capable of taking large amounts of water and pumping it out of the crawl space through a Buried Discharge Line that takes the water far away from the home. To keep the system running all year round without being interrupted by the harsh Maine winters, IceGuard was installed on the Discharge line to prevent ice buildup.   The area needed to be encapsulated for maximum protection, so CleanSpace with Drainage Matting was installed to create an inorganic barrier between the outside elements and the crawl space. Drainage Matting is laid down first. Drainage Matting features a durable construction with large dimples that help channel water and keep the CleanSpace above clean. CleanSpace is installed and attached to the walls with SprayFoam to create a tight seal that keeps out moisture and critters that could cause damage. CleanSpace is a super durable vapor barrier that is a permanent fix and turns an open crawl space into an encapsulated area that is perfect for storage.   Finally, a SaniDry Sedona was installed that drains directly to the TripleCrawl Sump Pump so the homeowner never has to worry about emptying a bucket, and their crawl space is kept at a safe humidity level 24/7. Now the homeowner is able to retire into the home and enjoy the peace and quiet without worrying about the stability of their home or their crawl space being an area of misery anymore.

The owner of the Webster Free Library in Kingfield was looking for professional basement waterproofing. Their basement had been gathering moisture, and this was absolutely unacceptable for a library, because water damage was a serious risk! Seeking help immediately, the owner took to the internet and soon found TC Hafford Basement Systems. They called us to set up a meeting, and we had our representative over soon after to give them their free estimate. After going over options, we sent in our crew and got to work! To begin, the inside border of the basement floor was excavated to form a trench. Within this trench, we laid down our WaterGuard pipe system. These pipes are then covered with loose rocks and cement to conceal them without preventing their function. They capture water as it seeps through the concrete, guiding it toward the sump, instead of allowing it to leak up onto the floor surface. Within the sump, we installed a SuperSump sump pump. This pump will evacuate all the water brought to it by the WaterGuard system. The water is pumped out through a PVC discharge line, which we attached an IceGuard to on the exterior of the building. The IceGuard is a special section of pipe that will allow the water to escape the pipe should the lower end of the line become blocked by ice or other debris. Finally, we installed a SaniDry CX dehumidifier within the basement. This will eliminate any moisture present in the air, creating a dry atmosphere. With this waterproofing in place, the owner of this establishment will have no need to fear water damage in the future!

With a crawlspace that was regularly damp and musty, this Kingfield, ME homeowner was in the market for a way to remedy this issue. After seeing an ad for TC Hafford on their TV, the homeowner called our office staff to set up their free estimate! Once the received their estimate and reviewed their options, the homeowner gave us the go-ahead to get started on waterproofing their crawlspace. Once our installation crew made it to the property, they got started waterproofing the crawlspace right away. This began with a Drainage Matting being laid across the floor. This layer sits just above the surface of the floor and has holes throughout. This allows the water blocked by the vapor barrier to collect beneath the Drainage Matting and flow to where it can most easily drain back into the ground. Over the top of this, a CleanSpace liner was used to encapsulate the space. The CleanSpace covers all of the walls as well as the floor in a thin plastic sheet that locks out outside moisture, preventing the interior of the space from becoming damp in the future. These two layers together now forms a proper vapor barrier to keep water from building up inside the crawlspace. With their new barrier in place below their home, the homeowner should notice the musty smell that had been coming from the space dissipate soon. The Drainage Matting & CleanSpace liner will keep the interior of this crawlspace dry for many years into the future!         

This homeowner living in Kingfield, ME had been living with the side effects of a damp crawlspace for some time. With moisture building up in the space below their home, musty air filled their basement and would occasionally waft up into the home. These unpleasant conditions were something the homeowner wanted to be rid of and after hearing about TC Hafford Basement Systems from a family friend, they called us right away to receive their free estimate on a solution. Once they spoke with our sales representative to review their options, they made a decision and we got started on the waterproofing of their crawlspace! When our installation crew arrived at the home, they began by providing the crawlspace with a proper vapor barrier to prevent future leakages. First, a Drainage Matting was laid across the crawlspace floor. This mat creates channels between itself and the floor for water blocked by the barrier to follow and drain back through the ground. Over this mat, a CleanSpace liner was used to encapsulate the interior of the crawlspace. Completely covering the walls and floor, this liner locks out moisture trying to enter from the surrounding ground. These two layers together form the new protective vapor barrier. On the surface of the now-covered floor, a SaniDry Sedona dehumidifier was installed. The SaniDry will pull in the damp air still within the space and separate the moisture from it. The separated moisture is passed to a Condensate Pump installed nearby. The pump then forces the collected water out of the home through a discharge line. Finally, the dried air is circulated back into the crawlspace, so that more damp air can be processed. With these improvements to their crawlspace, they should notice the signs of the dampness disappear in a short amount of time. The new SaniDry Sedona alongside a proper vapor barrier will keep this home moisture free for the future.

A homeowner in Westbrook began noticing a musty smell emanating from their crawlspace. This smell was due to moist conditions, and was likely be a formation of mold inside the crawlspace. The smell might have been the least of the homeowner’s concerns if it was indeed mold growing in their crawlspace. The mold can release spores into the air, which if inhaled by the homeowner, could lead to health concerns. Needing a way to deal with their moisture issue, the homeowner called TC Hafford Basement Systems after seeing us on their TV. We had a representative at the home in no time to give the homeowner their free estimate. Luckily, there was very little mold in the crawlspace, and drastic measures weren’t required. We got the go ahead from the homeowner and began work! With the little amount of mold present in the crawlspace, we needed to stop the moisture if we wanted to prevent the mold from spreading. To do this, we encapsulated the crawlspace with a CleanSpace Liner. This liner holds back moisture trying to enter the interior of the crawlspace through the walls or floor. Keeping the moisture out this way will keep the air and surfaces within the crawlspace dry. Without moisture in the air, the mold is unable to survive. Needing certain conditions to live in, the mold will eventually die off, and not grow back. Now this homeowner has no mold problem, and a dry crawlspace, thanks to CleanSpace!

It’s no secret that a home without gutters can lead to expensive issues. Without gutters, water can pool and rot a home’s fascia board, creating gaps and easy access for small rodents to make their way in and causing problems. Water coming off the roof will erode the soil around the home, ruining anything that is planted and potentially damaging the foundation, leading to water intrusion into the basement or crawl space. This Westbrook, ME, homeowner was aware of these issues and wanted to avoid the headache and expensive repair costs, so they booked a free estimate with Gutter Shutter by TC Hafford Basement Systems. System Design Specialist Brian Donnelly met with the homeowner and worked with them to design a Gutter Shutter system, specific to their home.   Gutter Shutter's unique design is capable of catching water off the roof without catching debris such as leaves and pine needles, keeping the gutter clog-free and preventing the homeowner from ever having to climb a ladder. Gutter Shutter features a seamless, aluminum construction that is formed and cut on site to ensure a perfect fit every time, whether the gutter needs to be two feet or 100 feet long. The integrated shutter allows for water to easily flow into the gutter, but debris and critters are kept out. Gutter Shutter's tough design means that it can hold up against the tough Maine winters. Water is handled better than normal gutters, making it harder for icicles to form, keeping the homeowner safer. Gutter Shutter comes in many different colors, allowing the homeowner to have options to choose from so the gutter will blend seamlessly into their home. Now the homeowner is protected from the rain, and they can enjoy their home without having to be concerned about damage to their foundation or the rest of the home.

This Westbrook, ME, homeowner had a unique problem on their hands. Not only did they have a basement with water coming in, but they also had an attached crawl space that wasn’t sealed, and a Blower Door Test proved that they had air leaking. Their basement was wet, and their energy bills were higher than they should be to keep the home warm during the winter months. The homeowner needed help and booked a free estimate with TC Hafford Basement Systems, which offers Dr. Energy Saver and can take care of all of the issues in the basement and crawl space at one time. Waterproofing the Basement Before making the basement more energy efficient, the area needed to be waterproofed. A WaterGuard perimeter drain was installed to capture groundwater and channel it to the new TripleSafe Sump Pump. The TripleSafe includes two Zoeller sumps with the addition of a battery-powered backup to protect the homeowner in the case of a power outage. The TripleSafe was connected to a Buried Discharge line that takes the water far away from the home and is protected against ice buildup with IceGuard. Sealing the Crawl Space The crawl space had a dirt floor and needed to be encapsulated to seal off the area from the outside elements. Drainage Matting was laid down and CleanSpace was installed on top and attached to the walls. CleanSpace is a durable vapor barrier that keeps moisture out of the area along with small critters that could cause issues. Once CleanSpace with Drainage Matting is installed, the homeowner is able to use the area for storage, and their belongings will be protected against the elements. Making the Space More Energy-Efficient To create a more energy-efficient area, the space needed to be insulated better than it was before. Two-inch-thick Foamax Board was installed along the basement walls to trap in heat and work to keep the cold out. Next, SprayFoam was installed along the rim joists and on the walls of the crawl space to insulate the area. Closed Cell SprayFoam insulates better than open cell and doesn’t absorb water, meaning it acts as a vapor barrier as well. After waterproofing the basement, encapsulating the crawl space, and making the area more energy-efficient, the homeowner is happy knowing their home is protected.

A homeowner in Canton bought a home with a bowing basement wall. He hadn’t realized just how bad this could be for the home, and upon this realization, he searched online for what could be done to help it. He soon found TC Hafford Basement Systems, and received a free estimate from one of our representatives. The homeowner wanted us to get the job done, so we dispatched our crew and got started! To resolve the issue with the wall, we needed to push the wall back into place. To do this, we used PowerBrace. The PowerBrace is a series of steel I-beams anchored to the cement floor, against the bowing wall. They are fitted to the wooden joists in the ceiling with adjustable screws. The pressure applied to the wall slowly pushes it back into place over time. We will later revisit this basement to tighten the PowerBrace system. This will further align the wall with its original location. With these new PowerBraces in place, a caved in wall is now nothing this homeowner needs to be concerned about.

In Canton, ME, a homeowner had recently noticed a problem in their basement. A few cracks had opened on the walls of their concrete foundation over time and had begun to leak water into the basement during rainfall. The homeowner, worried about damage to their property, sought a solution to their problem online and soon discovered TC Hafford Basement Systems. After a phone call with our office staff, the homeowner was set up with an appointment with one of our sales representatives for their free estimate. Once they heard their options, the homeowner hired us right away to waterproof their basement! When our installation crew arrived at the home, they first began work on utilizing FlexiSpan on a crack running along one of the open-face walls. The crack was first brushed clear of debris to better allow our seal to adhere to the wall. Next, a primary layer of sealant was applied within and slightly around the crack. This was immediately covered over with a foam mat, which will enable the final seal to bend slightly to any changes in the shape of the crack over time. Finally, a second layer of sealant was used to cover the foam, completing the FlexiSpan structure. This will now prevent water from entering the basement through this crack. Next, our crew needed to seal a crack that was running along a wall covered by several wooden supports. This would prevent FlexiSpan from being used. After being brushed clear, this crack was covered over by a layer of sealant. Small plugged tubes were inserted into the crack as the sealant was applied, spaced out along the length of the crack. Once dried in place, the plugs were removed and starting from the lowest tube and working upward, a Polyurethane sealant was injected into the interior of the crack. Plugging the tubes after each injection, the crack was soon completely filled with Polyurethane. Now this crack is also sealed from the outside elements. With their basement walls sealed properly, this homeowner can rest assured their property won’t suffer from any water damage in the future. These two seals will keep this basement water-free for years to come!

A homeowner in Minot was having trouble with water gathering in their basement. This could easily lead to water damage. The homeowner need this fixed as soon as possible. They contacted TC Hafford to get the job done. We had a representative head out to take a look, and discuss with the homeowner the potential solutions for this issue. The homeowner decided on what they wanted done, and we got to work! We started by digging up the perimeter of the basement. This trench made way for us to install a WaterGuard pipe system. This is then buried under cement to hold it in place. The WaterGuard system will capture any moisture entering the basement through the walls or floors. The water is then channeled to a newly installed SuperSump sump pump. This pump will take the collected water and push it up and out of the basement. Now this homeowner no longer needs to worry about water gathering in their basement!