We had Adirondack Basement install what they call an encapsulation in our basement. An encapsulation basically seals off all the dirt and moisture that makes the basement so unusable. The installation caused a lot ot disruption, especially since the installers didn't prepare the portion of our home they would have to walk through, the way responsible contractors do. They were off-schedule, had to rush to finish by the weekend (which affected the neatness of their basement work), and even had to drive to Lowe's at the last minute for supplies, which I do not understand. An electrician was supposed to come assess our electrical system for load because of the dehumidfier they installed. This electrician has never appeared.
We discovered standing water in the basement yesterday. We contacted Adirondack Basement about it, and they pointed out that they are only responsible for water that comes from under the encapsulation, not from above it. Indeed, this makes sense, except that the water appears to be coming from a pipe related to the furnace, one that used to drain directly to the previous dirt basement floor. They said they are not qualified to do any work related to a furnace, despite their slogan of "All Things Basementy," and despite the fact that furnaces are often, though not always, located in basements. It appears the pipe is a drain that should have been channelled into the dehumidifier (which, I should point out, is louder than the furnace itself). They said they cannot do this. I suggested that they are not qualified to complete the work they set out to do, i.e., the basement. I also mentioned the missing electrician. They said we must have misunderstood about the electrician. As we had mentioned the electrician to the workers when they were here, and they said he was the brother of the owner of Adirondack Basement, I do not think we misunderstood about the electrician.
The person we spoke with said the people who were here were installers, and could not anticipate this kind of problem. In my own work, however, I am expected to build expertise based upon experience, and, therefore, anticipate problems. We paid about six thousand dollars for a basement that is supposed to be dry and usable. At this point, that is not the case. We cannot recommend Adirondack Basement, unless you like commotion in your home, people who do not show up, inadequate staffing for completing the job, and water lapping at your possessions. And a customer service person who will tell you that you were mistaken about the electrician.
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