Professional Basement Waterproofing & Concrete Leveling Company in Westbrook, ME

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.

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.

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!