Job Stories

When a homeowner decides to waterproof their basement, it tends to be when they are ready to remodel and use the space without having to be concerned with their belongings being damaged. However, this is not always the case. This Lebanon, ME homeowner had issues with hydro static pressure and wanted to take care of it to protect the health of their home, not to remodel. Out of sight does not always mean out of mind and water penetrating an unused basement still can cause issues even when it is empty. Wanting to protect their home, the homeowner called TC Hafford Basement Systems for help.   System Design Specialist Ron Bedard has years of basement waterproofing experience and met with the homeowner for a free estimate to go over their needs and work with them to design a system, specifically, for their home. The star of the system is the TripleSafe Sump Pump that will protect the homeowner from groundwater, relieving the hydro static pressure that causes leaks. WaterGuard was installed in areas that were necessary to aid in capturing and channeling water to the TripleSafe. The water has to go somewhere so the TripleSafe is connected to an Exterior Buried Discharge Line. The Discharge line takes all the water from the TripleSafe and takes it far from the house where it can’t cause a problem. To keep the system running all year even during the freezing Maine winter months, IceGuard is installed on the Discharge line to prevent ice buildup. While this basement may remain an unused space, the homeowner has protected the health of their home and ensured water intrusion won’t cause any troubles.

Rich, out in Portsmouth, NH, was renting out one side of a duplex, however, the crawlspace underneath was causing problems. This crawlspace had dirt floors, and would flood frequently during heavy rains. This would lead to a lot of moisture in the air underneath the building, causing mold and rot to form in the wood. After receiving a piece of mail directly from TC Hafford Basement Systems, Rich decided it was the right choice to contact us. Shortly after, Peter Folsom investigated the crawl space, and a crew came over to get to work. In order to help keep water out, Drainage Matting was implemented on top of the dirt floor, along with a WaterGuard system to direct the water outside. Finally, a FloodRing was created to prevent any water that did manage to enter the crawlspace from spreading. Now with a newly protected basement and crawl space, Rich has peace of mind when allowing guests to rent his duplex during heavy rain storms.

Dana from East Wakefield was having a problem with a couple of cracks that had formed in his basement. These two cracks would leak water into the basement during any heavy rain, and Dana needed something to be done about this. He searched the internet for a solution, and found it; TC Hafford Basement Systems. He contacted us immediately, and we sent a representative to give a free estimate of what could be done, and how much it would cost. After discussing options, the homeowner made his decision and we got to work. We stated the process of fixing the cracks by filling each crack with a sealant. This sealant is the first step of three for the installation of FlexiSpan. Secondly, we cover this sealant with a foam pad, this pad covers the crack completely and helps prevent water from leaking in around the first layer of sealant. Finally, the foam is covered over with a layer of sealant. This sealant holds it all in place, and acts as a final line of defense against water. The way FlexiSpan is structured allows for it to shift, should the wall around the crack alter at all; hence the name, FlexiSpan. Now this homeowner no longer needs to worry about water entering through these two cracks, they have been completely sealed off from outside moisture.

A homeowner in East Wakefield had a problem with their crawlspace. Every time it would rain, the crawlspace would flood, and this created the perfect atmosphere for mold to grow. Mold growth in the crawlspace is not only unsightly, but the spores could reach the interior of the home and cause health issues for the homeowner. Needing a way to not only prevent the mold growth, but to also waterproof their crawlspace, the homeowner called TC Hafford Basement Systems shortly after seeing us on their television. We inspected the crawlspace, gave the homeowner their free estimate, and we got to work. We began by installing a SmartDrain in the floor of the crawlspace. This way any water gathering there would drain out. Next, we covered the wall/floor joint of the crawlspace with a Drainage Matting. This mat will hold back moisture and allow it time to drain either back through the soil or into the SmartDrain. We then encapsulated the crawlspace with a CleanSpacec Liner. This covers the entire crawlspace except for the ceiling, completely locking out the moisture trying to enter. Finally, we installed a SaniDry CX dehumidifier. This will remove any remaining moisture in the air, as well as maintaining a dry, healthy atmosphere within the crawlspace in the future that is uninhabitable for mold. Now this homeowner has a dry, mold free crawlspace that will remain that way for many years.

Living in East Wakefield, NH, this homeowner wanted to begin to make use of their basement. They wanted to finish it so that they could comfortably spend time in the space. To get this done, they searched online for options and soon found us at TC Hafford Basement Systems. After talking with our office staff, they were set up with a free estimate from one of our sales representatives. The sales rep. took a look at the basement and the homeowner was ready to move forward with the project after being informed about their options. When our installation crew arrived at the home, their goal was to provide a more comfortable floor than the existing concrete foundation. They installed ThermalDry flooring tiles across the floor of the space. These tiles are topped with a firm plastic layer that will maintain a much higher natural temperature, compared to the cold concrete below. Below this top layer, the ThermalDry rests on a thick foam base. This provides comfort with each step, while small channels built into the foam can allow for any moisture build-up to find its way to the sump and flow out of the home. This will provide the homeowner will the flooring they needed to help complete their basement! With their new flooring, this homeowner can now move on to furnishing the space to finally finish it. The ThermalDry tiles will ensure the basement stays insulated and dry for years to come!

Linda from Eliot, ME, was having issues with water entering her basement through a crack in the wall. This crack was 1.6’ long, and was an excellent place for water to flow through from the surrounding earth. To seal this crack, and prevent any water from leaking through in the future, we used Flexispan. This involves covering the crack with a special flexible sealant. Then this sealant is covered with a unique Flexispan foam material. Finally a coating of sealant is applied over the foam material, sealing it against the wall. This crack won’t ever leak water into this basement again.

In Berwick, Maine, Andrea had an existing sump pump and dehumidifier, but still experienced a wet basement whenever it rained. After searching online for a solution, Andrea came to us. Once our representative Mike Morin took a look, a team was sent out to get to work. TC Hafford started by installing a WaterGuard basement waterproofing system around the perimeter of the basement. This system is used to collect any water that might attempt to flow into the basement through the walls or up through the floor. This WaterGuard system was then connected through to a newly installed SuperSump sump pump, which replaced the old sump. This new sump pump pumps any water fed into it to the outside. Finally, the crew used an IceGuard pipe outside the house to prevent the water from being blocked. The IceGuard is a special piece of pipe that allows water to flow even when the rest of the pipe is blocked off by ice or other debris. After finishing these additions to the basement, Andrea now no longer has to worry about water in the slightest.

With a massive hole in their foundation, this Berwick, ME, homeowner was worried about their foundation collapsing. Not willing to risk this happening, the homeowner scheduled a free estimate with TC Hafford Basement Systems after finding us online. System Design Specialist Rick Russell met with the homeowner and worked with them to design a system that would solve their foundation troubles.   In situations where the foundation is failing like this, the home would typically need to be lifted and a new foundation would be poured, but not with StableLock Wall System. StableLock was created to be a permanent fix for failing foundations, and the homeowner never has to leave the house. StableLock was created to meet the demand of failing rock foundations in Maine. StableLock uses modern shoring methods to fill the voids in the existing wall and stabilize it. The homeowner is no longer worried about their foundation failing, and they saved money all while protecting their home from any future damage that comes along with a bad foundation.

Kevin of Acton was experiencing trouble with water entering their basement through cracks in their basement walls. He needed a way to seal up these cracks, and sought professional help to get the job done. After hearing about TC Hafford Basement Systems from a family friend, Kevin called us right away! We had our representative head to the home to give a free estimate. Kevin chose what work he wanted done and we got started. To begin with the solution, we filled the cracks with an initial layer of sealant. The sealant was then covered over with a foam matting. This matting will form the backbone off the final structure. This matting is finally covered with a second layer of sealant to completely lock out any moisture trying to enter through the cracks. This finished structure is known as FlexiSpan, and the foam matting gives the overall structure a flexible nature. Allowing it to bend and contort, should the walls shift in any way. Now with FlexiSpan covering the cracks, Kevin will no longer need to worry about water entering his basement!

This Acton, ME crawl space was the local hangout for critters and rodents who were looking for a warm, damp place to spend their time. Tired of the high moisture in their crawl space and dealing with mold and the musty smell permeating into their home, the homeowner scheduled a free estimate with TC Hafford Basement Systems. System Design Specialist Rick Russell met with the homeowner and worked with them to design a crawl space encapsulation system that would solve their issues.   The first step of encapsulating a crawl space is creating an inorganic barrier between the outside elements and the crawl space. CleanSpace with Drainage Matting is laid down and attached to the walls. Drainage Matting creates space between the earth and CleanSpace, allowing water to be channeled safely. A TripleSafe Sump Pump was installed to take the groundwater and any water channeled to the TripleSafe from the installed SmartDrain. The TripleSafe will push all water out of the space and outside, away from the home, through the new Buried Discharge Line. To finish off the encapsulation system, CleanSpace vent covers were installed to close off the foundation vents, keeping moisture out of the crawl space and the humidity at a safer level. Now critters and rodents don’t have a way into the crawl space, and moisture is kept out. The homeowner no longer has to deal with musty odors and can use their crawl space for storage.