Job Stories

When a homeowner in Belmont, Maine, reached out to us at TC Hafford Basement Systems, they were looking for a reliable solution to protect their home from the frequent rain and runoff that’s common in our area. Initially, they requested an estimate for a new gutter system, seeking a setup that would effectively channel water away from their home without the constant maintenance of typical gutters. After discussing their needs and concerns, we recommended our full Gutter Shutter system.   Our team arrived on-site and began by carefully assessing the property, taking note of the roofline, existing drainage paths, and areas prone to water pooling. We then installed the Gutter Shutter system, a robust and clog-free solution designed to handle heavy rain with ease. This system not only prevents clogs by keeping debris out but also channels water safely away from the home’s foundation, reducing the risk of potential water damage and costly repairs down the road. The installation went smoothly, with each section custom-fitted to the home’s unique structure. Once completed, we walked the homeowner through the details of the system, explaining how it would protect their property by redirecting water efficiently, especially during Maine’s heavy rain seasons. The homeowner was genuinely pleased with how seamlessly the Gutter Shutter system blended with the home’s exterior, and they felt confident knowing they’d no longer need to worry about gutter maintenance or potential water issues around the foundation.     At TC Hafford, we take pride in delivering solutions that make a noticeable difference, and seeing the homeowner’s satisfaction with the project was truly rewarding. It’s always our goal to provide peace of mind and long-term protection for the homes we serve.

A homeowner in Spruce Head was experiencing problems with their sump pump. It would back-up during exceptionally heavy rains, and flood parts of the basement. Needing this to stop before any serious water damage occurred, the homeowner contacted TC Hafford Basement Systems. We gave the homeowner their free estimate, and then we got to work on waterproofing their basement. The existing sump pump needed to be removed to start the job. It was no longer needed, because it was being replaced. We then installed a SmartSump sump pump in the sump. This will now pump out all of the water gathering within the basement without issue. Attached to this SmartSump, we installed an UltraSump backup battery in case of a power outage during a rain storm. Finally, on the exterior of the home, we attached an IceGuard filter onto the PVC discharge line coming from the sump. This filter will allow water to flow from the line even if the lower end of the pipe becomes blocked by ice or other debris. Now this homeowner is worry free, with a dry basement!

This Spruce Head, ME homeowner had lately been dealing with water in their basement. The cause of this water build-up was a crack on one of their foundation walls. Unable to keep the water from entering through the crack on their own, the homeowner contacted us at TC Hafford shortly after seeing us on their television. When they heard what we could do for them during their free estimate, they knew right away they wanted to have the work done to keep their basement free of water. Later, when our installation crew arrived at the home, they were tasked with utilizing FlexiSpan to seal this crack. This process begins with the crack being cleared of debris by a coarse brush. This will help our seal stick to the wall. Next, a primary layer of sealant was applied inside and slightly around the crack. A foam mat was then laid along the length of the crack, sticking to the primary sealant layer. Finally, a second sealant layer was applied over the top of the foam, to complete the FlexiSpan seal over this crack. The foam core allows the seal to bend and adjust to slight changes in the cracks shape over time, giving the seal the FlexiSpan name. Now that the crack on their foundation wall has been sealed, this homeowner can rest assured the leaking water will no longer enter their basement! The FlexiSpan seal will keep this basement clear of moisture build-up for years to come.

Without a vapor barrier below their home, this homeowner recently began to notice signs of a moisture problem developing in their crawlspace, such as musty air and damp surfaces. Unsure how to approach the problem on their own, the homeowner looked online to find a solution. They discovered our TC Hafford Basement Systems website and contacted us right away to schedule their free estimate. After they spoke with our sales representative, they liked what we could offer them and hired us to get started as soon as possible. When our installation crew arrived at the home, they got to work right away by laying a Drainage Matting across the floor of the crawlspace. This was the first half of a vapor barrier designed to keep water from building up in the crawlspace. The Drainage Matting rests just off the surface of the floor, where it creates channels below itself that any trapped water can follow to drain from the home. Next, we lined the crawlspace walls and floor with a CleanSpace barrier. The CleanSpace will completely seal the interior of the crawlspace so that any leaking moisture will only be able to flow down through the Drainage Matting and into the ground again. These layers now form a vapor barrier capable of preventing the moisture problems this homeowner wanted to avoid. These improvements will keep the moisture within this space to a minimum, eliminating any chance for the developing issues to worsen. The CleanSpace liner will keep this crawlspace interior water-free for years to come!

Our Etna, ME homeowners reached out to TC Hafford Basement Systems about their crawlspace. They described that the space was very cold, had a dirt floor and lots of moisture. Our System Design Specialist Craig Z. met with the homeowners for a free estimate, and came up with a plan to resolve their issues and turn the crawlspace into dry and usable space.   To fully encapsulate the crawl space and keep moisture and critters out, CleanSpace with Drainage Matting was installed. Drainage Matting is a durable barrier with dimples to help channel water and elevate the CleanSpace, keeping it clean. CleanSpace is a durable, inorganic vapor barrier that gets attached to the walls and seals up the crawl space, keeping moisture out. A SmartSump was installed to capture water and pump it through the new Exterior Buried Discharge line. The Discharge line takes the water far from the home and with the installation of IceGuard, the entire system is protected against ice buildup in the winter. SprayFoam was installed on the rim joists to insulate the area, keeping cold air out during the winter, making the space more comfortable, and saving the homeowner money on their energy bill. Now the homeowners can enjoy the use of a warm, clean and dry crawlspace!

TC Hafford Basement Systems was called to help Etna, ME homeowners with their cracked and leaking basement. The homeowners were experiencing water damage and wanted to keep the space protected. We installed WaterGuard along the basement perimeter, as well as TrenchDrain around the tanks. Both WaterGuard and TrenchDrain capture any water and channel it to the new TripleSafe sump pump. TrenchDrain is effective in high traffic areas and places with higher moisture, such as condensation on tanks. The new TripleSafe removes water away from the home with an exterior buried discharge line. The TripleSafe also features two Zoeller pumps to protect against pump failure, as well as a battery back up so the system will work even if power is lost. CleanSpace Wall System was installed on the cracked wall to seal the space. CleanSpace is a vapor barrier that prevents moisture from coming in, and also protects against mold growth. The homeowners no longer have to worry about water damage, and can now confidently use their basement.

A homeowner in South Thomaston was noticing the window in their crawlspace was allowing water to leak in. This was an older window, and had clearly seen some better years. The homeowner needed this leaky window fixed, and they also would prefer if their crawlspace was completely water-tight. After a quick internet search, they came across TC Hafford Basement Systems; the clear choice for this job. Shortly after we received the phone call, we had a representative out at the house to determine the best solution. After going over the options with the homeowner, we sent in a crew to get to work! To start the project, the window in the crawlspace was removed. Both it and another old window were taken out to be replaced. Then the crew installed two EverLast windows where the old windows were. EverLast windows are bright, and form a completely waterproof seal inside their frame. Protecting the crawlspace from the problem which faced the previous set of windows. Then the crawlspace was encapsulated with a CleanSpace Liner. This is a plastic sort of sheet which covers the walls, floors, and supports of the crawlspace to lock out any moisture entering through the surrounding soil. Now this homeowner has two new windows and a waterproof crawlspace!

Living in South Thomaston, ME, a homeowner had recently begun to have water build up in their basement during rainfall. With a concrete foundation around their basement, not only was this homeowner unsure how the water was getting in, but they were also unsure how to stop the leakage. When asking around about solutions, they were soon referred to call us at TC Hafford Basement Systems to receive a free estimate on repairs. After receiving their estimate, the homeowner gave us the go-ahead to get started on the solution. When our installation crew arrived at the property, to intercept the water before it reaches the surface of the floor, they began by excavating the perimeter of the concrete floor. This created a shallow trench around the outer edge of the floor. Here, WaterGuard pipes were laid, surrounding the basement floor. Buried beneath loose rocks and concrete, the WaterGuard pipes will now capture any moisture leaking through the floor using small slits along the lower edges of the pipes. The water trapped within the WaterGuard is then guided trough the floor directly to the sump to be removed from the home. Within the sump, a SuperSump pump was installed. With the WaterGuard feeding directly into the new pump, the water can be removed from the home without ever reaching the interior of the basement in the future. The SuperSump forces the water up and out of the home through a PVC discharge line at a rate of over 2,600 gallons per hour. Nearby, an UltraSump backup battery was attached to the SuperSump. This device will power the SuperSump during power-outages; maintaining a dry basement even during harsh storms. The UltraSump will allow the SuperSump to operate for up to 11,000 gallons of water before requiring a charge. Now that this homeowner has proper basement waterproofing beneath their home, they should no longer experience a flooding basement. The WaterGuard & SuperSump pump will work together to ensure that!

Looking to finish their basement, this South Thomaston, ME homeowner had a few problems to tackle before they could do anything. With water leaking into the basement through the concrete foundation, this homeowner required assistance with keeping the water at bay. Shortly after seeing TC Hafford on their TV, they called us to set up a time to receive their free estimate. Once they spoke with our sales representative, the homeowner hired us to solve their water problem for them right away! As soon as our installation crew arrived at the home, their first task was to eliminate the moisture problem. This was done by burying a WaterGuard piping system below fresh concrete, within the perimeter of the basement floor. These pipes capture moisture traveling through the floor, guiding it to the sump where it will be removed from the basement without reaching the floors surface. Next, BrightWall panels were used to cover the concrete walls of the basement. These panels will brighten up the interior of this basement with their light coloring as well as providing further protection against moisture leaking through the concrete walls. Any moisture caught between the BrightWall and the foundation will funnel down into the WaterGuard and swiftly flow out of the home. With the leaking water dealt with and the bright new walls, this homeowner can finally move forward with their plans to use their basement as a livable space! The WaterGuard piping will ensure no water makes it onto this basement floor in the future.

A homeowner in Sebec noticed he had a basement wall that was leaning inward. The cinder blocks that composed the wall were starting to bend inward under the pressure of the surrounding soil. Having been asking around for ways to fix this wall, the homeowner soon heard about TC Hafford Basement Systems. He called us right away and we had our representative head over to the home to inspect the wall and give a free estimate. After the homeowner gave us the go ahead, our crew got to work! To hold the wall in place, we needed to reinforce the wall with more support. This is why we installed PowerBrace against the basement wall. PowerBrace is made up of several steel I-beams spread out along the wall. These are secured into place at the foot of the wall, and attached to the wooden joists in the ceiling. The ceiling attachment is adjustable, allowing us to form the PowerBrace tightly against the wall. This will apply pressure to the wall, and over time, realign it with its original position. We will return to this basement at a later date to tighten the braces for the homeowner, finishing the PowerBrace installation. With PowerBrace in place, this homeowner now no longer fears his basement wall potentially caving in!