Job Stories

When this Castine, ME homeowner began to notice signs of moisture build up in their basement, they were worried the problem might develop into something detrimental. To put an end to the moisture, the homeowner called us at TC Hafford Basement Systems after they were referred to us by a friend. After speaking with our office staff about their free estimate, the homeowner was visited by our sales representative who then explained the solutions for the developing problem. The homeowner hired us right away to take care of their basement moisture build up! Once on the property, our installation crew began work on the basement with the objective of clearing out the moisture and providing a dry, healthy atmosphere for the homeowner. To achieve this, a SaniDry XP dehumidifier was installed on the floor of the basement. This was then connected to the existing sump in the floor of the space. The SaniDry will take in the surrounding air and separate any moisture from it. The collected water flows directly to the sump for removal while the dried air is circulated back into the basement. This circulation will cycle more damp air back to the SaniDry, continuing the process until the entire basement is free of moisture. With their basement now dry, this homeowner is much more comfortable while using the space. The SaniDry XP will keep the air within this basement within acceptable humidity levels for years into the future.

This Castine, ME, homeowner recently moved into their new home with the plan to retire there and enjoy their free time. Immediately the homeowner noticed the humidity was higher than it should be in the crawl space. Concerned about mold growth and rot and not wanting the issue to get worse, they called TC Hafford Basement Systems for a free estimate. System Design Specialist Craig Ziegenbein worked with the homeowner, and together they designed an encapsulation system that would protect the home against moisture and humidity.   This home was originally built in 1847 and has held up very well through the years but needed some help to be better than it ever has. To encapsulate the area and keep moisture and critters out, CleanSpace with Drainage Matting was installed. Drainage Matting goes down first and covers the floor of the crawl space. Drainage Matting is a durable plastic mat with large dimples that elevates the CleanSpace once installed and helps to channel water to the low spot where a sump can be installed if needed. CleanSpace is a durable, inorganic vapor barrier that is attached to the walls with SprayFoam and keeps moisture and small critters out of the crawl space. Keeping moisture out and encapsulating the area prevents humidity from causing issues for the homeowner, such as mold growth and wood rot. A Sump Liner was installed in the low spot; that way, a sump pump can be easily installed in the future if the homeowner needs it without having to disrupt the encapsulation system. The homeowner is now protected against mold and can use their crawl space for a storage area without the concern of their belongings being damaged.

A homeowner in Orrington was looking to get their basement finished; but small amounts of water would gather on the concrete floor from time to time. The homeowner had a sump pump, but that just wasn’t doing the job. After seeing TC Hafford Basement Systems at a home show, they decided to hire us for the job. We had a representative take a look at the basement, and then we got to work! We started by removing the old pump, and installing a new TripleSafe sump pump. This pump will almost never fail. There are three separate pumps to maintain constant water removal no matter the weather or power situation. We then laid ThermalDry tiling across the entire basement floor. These are special interlocking tiles that rest slightly off the concrete, supported by an insulation layer. This makes sure the floor the homeowner walks on will always be dry, and insulated from the cold concrete. Now this basement is ready to be finished without fear of water issues.

Scott from Old Town was in the market for some professional basement waterproofing. He had been looking to have his basement finished, but water flooding his basement during heavy rains was preventing any progress. Seeking a way to help prevent the flooding, Scott took to the internet. He soon came across TC Hafford Basement Systems, who he called right away to set up a meeting with a representative. We took a look, and gave the homeowner a free estimate. They chose what work they wanted done, and we had our crew get to work. We began by digging up the interior perimeter of the basement floor and removing the debris. This created a trench for us to install our WaterGuard pipe system. These pipes are specially designed to catch water as it tries to enter the basement through the walls or floor. Guiding the water out of the basement through the sump. This system was then covered over with loose rocks and cement to conceal it under the floor without hurting functionality. Now Scott can finish his basement without needing to worry about any sort of water damage from a flooding basement!

A homeowner in Old Town, ME reached out to TC Hafford Basement Systems with concerns about their indoor porch being uncomfortably cold during the winter. The cold air seemed to seep through the floor, making the space less usable for several months of the year. After learning about our insulation solutions, the homeowner was eager to find an option that would not disrupt the existing structure of the porch. Our team came out to perform a detailed assessment and found that the cold drafts were indeed coming from underneath the porch flooring.   We recommended using Dr. Energy Saver spray foam insulation beneath the floor, as it provides a durable, airtight barrier that would stop the cold air from entering while also improving energy efficiency. The benefits of this type of insulation are significant. Not only does it prevent cold air from coming up through the floor, but it also helps stabilize the temperature in adjacent rooms, leading to a more comfortable home overall. Spray foam insulation also creates an effective seal, preventing moisture from getting trapped under the porch, which could lead to long-term damage.     Once the spray foam was applied to the underside of the porch flooring, the homeowner noticed a dramatic improvement in the warmth of the space. The porch became much more enjoyable, and the homeowner appreciated the increased energy efficiency throughout their home.

A homeowner in Bucksport contacted TC Hafford Basement Systems after seeing an ad on his television. This homeowner had a few simple questions; was the water coming in through the wall a big problem, and what could be done to fix it. These questions were quickly answered by us once we arrived and took a look. After the homeowner chose what he wanted done, we got to work! The water coming in through the walls of the basement would collect on the floor and then travel across the basement. To prevent this, we dug up the perimeter of the basement floor, and installed a WaterGuard pipe system around the entire basement. This pipe will catch water as it flows down from the walls or up from the ground and channel it to the sump. The homeowner chose to go with an UltraSump sump pump, to push the collected water out of his basement through a discharge line. On the exterior of the home, we fitted a piece of the discharge line with an IceGuard pipe. This piece will allow water to continue to flow even if the lower end of the discharge line is blocked by ice or debris. This homeowner no longer needs to worry about a wet basement.

A homeowner in Brewer was beginning to notice water pooling up on their basement floor. This water was entering through a crack in the basement wall, which had formed over some time. This problem needed to be addressed, and the homeowner wasn’t equipped to do it themselves. They then sought professional help. They called TC Hafford Basement Systems, knowing we could get the job done right. We had a representative head to the home to give a free estimate, then we had our crew begin work. We began by filling the crack with a sealant. This wouldn’t be enough to completely hold back all the moisture trying to enter, but it was the first of three layers. This sealant is then covered over by a foam matting. The foam is flexible, and once completed, allows the structure to be bend as well. Finally, another layer of sealant is applied over the foam, locking out moisture entirely. This structure is called Flexispan, and it gets its name from its flexibility. It is able to not only seal off the basement from water trying to enter through the crack, but it can flex to stay on top of the crack should the basement walls shift at all. This seal will keep water from pooling up on this homeowner’s floors in the future. Maintaining a dry, healthy atmosphere within the basement.

Bill from Brooksville was looking for a way to waterproof his basement. He was looking to finish his basement, and needed a way to guarantee his basement would stay dry. He saw an ad for TC Hafford on TV, and knew we would be the ones who could get the job done. He gave us a call and we gave him a free estimate. After Bill decided what he wanted done, we started work on his basement! We began by digging up the interior perimeter of the basement. This made way for us to install a WaterGuard pipe system. This piping will catch water as it enters through the floor or walls and direct it to the sump. The WaterGuard system is then covered over with concrete to seal it inside the floor. Next, we installed a SuperSump sump pump in the sump. This will take the collected water from the WaterGuard and pump it up and out of the basement. We attached an UltraSump backup battery to the SuperSump to ensure it will continue to pump water even if the power to the home should go out. For the final steps of waterproofing this basement, we needed to cover up two cracks in the basement wall. To do this, we used FlexiSpan. FlexiSpan is a three step process that starts with an injection of sealant into the cracks themselves. This sealant is covered in a foam mat, which helps add to the structure of the FlexiSpan by making it flexible. The mat is covered in a second layer of sealant to finish the FlexiSpan. Finally, we installed a SaniDry XP dehumidifier to maintain a dry atmosphere within the basement. Now Bill will have a dry basement that he can finish without worry off water damage.

Bob from Howland began to notice a problem with his basement wall. The wall was beginning to bow inwards, apparently due to force from the surrounding soil. This was immediately a concern for Bob, because if this kept up, the wall might have collapsed. Recalling he had seen TC Hafford Basement Systems at a home show, Bob called us right away. We had our representative give him his free estimate, and then we got to work! To prevent the wall from caving in, we needed to reinforce it. To do this, we installed Powerbraces along the wall. These are steel I-beams anchored to the cement floor, and attached to the wooden joists in the basement ceiling. The Powerbraces will apply pressure to the wall, potentially realigning it with its original position. After some time has passed, we can even return to tighten the braces, potentially returning the wall to its original position. With the Powerbraces in place, this homeowner no longer needs to fear a cave in. His basement is now secure.

A homeowner that was living in Howland, ME had recently developed a need to use their basement for storage. However, the basement would typically take on water during any moderate to heavy rainfall. Without any waterproofing to protect their property from the flooding, the homeowner searched online for a solution. They soon discovered us at TC Hafford Basement Systems and called us right away to set up their free estimate. They liked what we could do to solve their problem and hired us to get the job done! When our installation crew arrived at the home, the first order of business was to install a proper concrete floor across the dirt of the existing basement floor. WaterGuard piping was installed in the perimeter of this newly poured concrete slab to further protect the basement from future leakages. Any water that leaks through the concrete slab now will be captured by small slits in the WaterGuard and follow this buried piping to the sump where it will be removed from the home. To handle the water-removal, a SuperSump sump pump was installed in this new basement floor with the WaterGuard feeding into directly it. The SuperSump can force up to 2,650 gallons of water per hour up and out of the home through a PVC discharge line. Outside the home, the exiting water passes through an IceGuard pipe segment before reaching the end of the line. This special pipe section has built in holes that will only allow trapped water to escape, thus protecting the basement from any blockages like ice causing a backup flood. Finally, the discharge line terminates through a LawnScape piece, which is covered by a grate to keep out debris like leaves. With their new and improved basement floor, this homeowner can now utilize the space for storage without worrying about their belongings becoming wet from flooding. The WaterGuard & SuperSump combination will ensure this basement floor stays dry for years to come!