Job Stories

When a homeowner in Kennebunk, Maine, reached out with concerns about their damp, musty crawl space, our team quickly got to work to identify the root of the problem.   After conducting a thorough inspection, we discovered moisture accumulation due to poor drainage and inadequate sealing. We recommended a full crawl space encapsulation system to keep water and humidity at bay. The solution included installing CleanSpace vapor barrier, a durable liner that prevents moisture from entering the space. Beneath this, we laid drainage matting to direct any water away from the foundation. To safeguard the area from potential flooding, we installed a SmartSump system equipped with a WaterWatch alarm for leak detection and an UltraSump backup battery to ensure continuous operation during power outages. IceGuard® was also added to the discharge line to prevent freezing during Maine’s harsh winters, ensuring the system remains functional year-round.   With these installations, the homeowner's crawl space will remain dry, healthy, and free from mold or water damage.  

This Kennebunk, ME home was recently purchased, and the homeowner wanted to renovate the home and knew they needed to start in the crawl space. The crawl space had issues with water and moisture making its way in. This can lead to wood rot, mold, and eventually destroying anything that is stored in the area. The homeowner contacted TC Hafford Basement Systems and worked with System Design Specialist Ron Bedard to design an encapsulation system that would keep their basement dry. The first step of encapsulating the crawl space was removing the old insulation and installing CleanSpace with Drainage Matting. Drainage Matting is laid down first to create a barrier between the ground and CleanSpace, keeping it clean and channeling water to the new sump with its dimpled design. CleanSpace is a durable, bright white vapor barrier made of inorganic materials that seals up the area and keeps moisture and critters out of the crawl space. A SuperSump was installed to collect groundwater and pumps out of the crawl space and away from the home through a new Exterior Buried Discharge line. To prevent ice buildup and keep the system running year-round, IceGuard was installed on the discharge line. The homeowner wanted their home to be more comfortable and energy efficient, so SprayFoam insulation was installed along the rim joists and wall surfaces. Finally, a SaniDry Sedona was installed to keep the humidity at a safe level all of the time. Now the homeowner is able to move on with their renovation project knowing that their crawl space is protected and their home is more energy efficient.

Dave from Standish was having trouble with his sump pump within his basement. It was malfunctioning and water was pooling up on his basement floor. Seeking professional help, Dave searched online for a solution. His search soon lead him to TC Hafford Basement Systems, who after a little research, he knew was the right company for the job. Dave gave us a call, and we had a representative head to the property to give him a free estimate. He selected what work he wanted done and we got to work! We began by removing the old sump pump. It was faulty and would no longer serve a purpose in the basement. We then installed our TripleSafe sump pump into the sump. The TripleSafe is composed of three separate pumps. The primary pump handles the bulk of the water. The secondary pump will turn on in the event of the primary pump failing. The third pump is a battery-backup pump which operates when the power in the home cannot keep the primary or secondary running. The pump uses a PVC discharge line to evacuate the water. Which, on the exterior of the home, we attached an IceGuard pipe piece to. The IceGuard is designed to allow water to exit the pipe should the lower end become blocked by any kind of debris. The combination of TripleSafe sump pump and IceGuard filter is sure to keep this basement dry. Dave should have no more worries about a malfunctioning sump pump in the future!

We recently helped homeowners in Standish, Maine who needed to add additional supports to their basement. We installed a new supplemental beam and SmartJacks, which are galvanized steel posts. The zinc coating on the steel prevents the posts from rusting, and the posts are custom fit to provide proper structural support. They can be tightened and adjusted overtime as the house settles.

A homeowner in Bar Mills had a basement that would always gather a pool of water during heavy rains. Fearing the problem worsening over time, the homeowner wanted to stop this before it could get any worse. After a quick internet search, they found TC Hafford Basement Systems. They called us up and we had our representative inspect the basement to give them their free estimate. After they selected what work they wanted done, we got to work! To take in the water leaking into the basemen, we dug out a sump in the floor of the basement. Within this sump, we installed a TripleSafe sump pump. This product is composed of three separate pumps. The primary and secondary handle the bulk of the water, the secondary only turning on when the primary fails for any reason. The third pump is a battery backup pump, activating when the power in the home goes out. We then installed a SaniDry XP dehumidifier to remove the moisture from the air within the space. This homeowner now no longer needs to worry about water pooling up on his basement floor. Even without power, his new sump pump will continue to evacuate water.

The Buxton Hollis Historical Society contacted TC Hafford Basement Systems for help with their wet, smelly, moldy basement. Their team wanted to gain storage space and trust that nothing would end up damaged from moisture and mold. System Design Specialist Sam C. created a plan to keep the space dry, protected, and usable. We encapsulated the area with CleanSpace and drainage matting. 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. SprayFoam was installed on the rim joists and walls to insulate the area, keeping cold air out, making the space more comfortable, and saving the historical society on their energy bills. Finishing out the full waterproofing system was the installation of a SaniDry Sedona high efficiency air purifier. The SaniDry Sedona filters out dust and mold spores, as well as controls the humidity in the space.

A homeowner in Mexico, Maine had been having trouble with water gathering in their basement for years. They set up their own temporary sump, but it wasn’t quite enough. Requiring a permanent solution, the homeowner got online to search for the answer. This is where they found TC Hafford Basement Systems, who they called right away to set up a meeting. We had our representative head to the home to give them their free estimate, and then our crew got to work! We began by digging a trench around the inside perimeter of the basement floor. This trench allowed us to lay down our WaterGurd pipe system. This system will capture all water trying to enter the basement through the walls or floor via a phenomenon known as hydrostatic pressure. The WaterGuard is covered over with loose rocks and cement to hide it beneath the floor without hindering functionality. The water collected in the pipes is then guided to the sump, where we installed a SuperSump sump pump. Capable of moving 2,650 gallons of water per hour, the SuperSump will be more than enough to keep this basement dry! The water is evacuated through a PVC discharge line. On the exterior of the home, we attached a special IceGuard piece to the discharge line. This IceGuard will allow the water to exit the pipe, should the lower end become clogged by any sort of debris. With these three systems working together, this homeowner will never need to worry about water gathering in their basement again!

In Buxton, ME, Robert was having some foundation trouble. His foundation had broken in two places, and was beginning to pull the walls of his home down. This was a big problem for Robert, and he needed it fixed, ASAP. After searching the web, Robert had found our site, and contacted us. Once Tony Hafford arrived and thoroughly inspected the situation, the team was called in to begin work on the foundation.The exterior of the house was excavated around the foundation to make it accessible. Then, after the dirt was cleared away, Helical Piers were used to secure the foundation back into place. These are large steel screws which rest in the dirt and act as much stronger supports for the foundation.With his foundation back to normal, and stronger than ever, Robert was left satisfied and without worry.

A motel in Casco, Maine had recently undergone mold remediation in their crawl space. After the mold was removed, we came in to encapsulate the crawl space to prevent future mold issues. In addition to CleanSpace vapor barrier, we also installed Spray Foam insulation along the rim joists. Spray Foam creates an air and moisture tight seal, helping to prevent mold growth.

Pam from Casco was having trouble with her old vapor barrier in her crawlspace. Water was pooling up in the crawlspace during rain, meaning that somehow, her vapor barrier was letting water through. Looking to have this addressed, Pam called TC Hafford Basement Systems after she saw us on the news. We had a representative inspect the crawlspace and give her a free estimate on the cost of a new vapor barrier. She gave us the go ahead and we got to work! We began by lining the wall/floor joint with a Drainage Matting. This would allow any moisture that manages to enter time to drain back through the way it came in. Without allowing it to pool up further towards the center of the crawlspace. We then encapsulated the entire crawlspace with a CleanSpae Liner, except for the ceiling. This plastic sheet of CleanSpace will hold back any moisture from the outside. Not allowing water to gather within the crawlspace itself. Finally, to keep the air quality dry, we installed a SaniDry CX dehumidifier. This will take in the moist air from around the crawlspace, and dry it out. Maintaining a dry, healthy atmosphere within the crawlspace. Now Pam has a dry crawlspace and a fully functioning vapor barrier. Water should no longer be an issue for this Casco crawlspace!