SERVING CT & WESTERN MA SINCE 1986 · CT REG. #HIC.0624951
Basement Waterproofing & Real Dry™
Your basement should be dry enough to use, not a place to manage water.
Water at the wall-floor joint, damp belongings and recurring musty odors are reasons to investigate how water enters. CTHandiMan can assess whether a non-invasive perimeter channel is suitable and explain when a different drainage approach may be required.
- Lifetime Workmanship Warranty; written terms available for the quoted work.
- BBB A+ rating and EPA Lead-Safe firm information; confirm current credentials before work.
- Background-checked team and insurance details available on request.
- Pressure-free estimates, veteran discount inquiry and legacy $100 referral program terms to confirm.
CT Home Improvement Contractor Reg. #HIC.0624951
*Historical performance or pricing figures from legacy marketing material are not guarantees; verify current specifications and terms.
Explore the work in detail
Real Dry™ was described in legacy material as an epoxy baseboard channel installed in one to two days without cutting the concrete floor. The source also reported more than six million feet installed in three countries. Confirm product ownership, current technical data, written warranty, radon details and suitability for your foundation before relying on these historical claims.
New England homes vary by age, construction, coastal exposure, freeze-thaw cycles and previous repairs. We review visible conditions, access and product instructions before recommending a scope. Concealed conditions or work beyond the quote are documented before extra work proceeds.
Before the visit, make a short list of the symptoms, when they occur and any previous repairs. Note whether water, drafts or equipment problems change with rain, wind or temperature. Photos can help identify the affected area, but they cannot show every concealed condition; measurements and product selection are verified at the home.
During estimating, we discuss access, work-area protection, disposal, sequencing and any items that need a licensed trade or a separate specialist. The written scope should state what is included, which materials are selected, what may change if concealed damage is found and who approves additional work. This keeps the project understandable before tools or materials arrive.
After installation, ask for care and maintenance instructions, product paperwork and the written workmanship terms. Keep a copy with your home records, especially when a warranty is transferable. Product warranties are separate from labor coverage, and their registration, maintenance and transfer rules are set by each manufacturer.
Real Dry™ Baseboard Channel
The historic description routes seepage at the wall-floor joint into a perimeter channel bonded with epoxy. It is presented as a non-invasive option that avoids a concrete trench. Site conditions, discharge route, foundation type and written system requirements determine suitability.
Where the System May Help
Legacy information lists low disruption, installation in finished or unfinished basements, paintable surfaces, wet-environment curing and the possibility of sealing against radon. Verify each claim with current manufacturer documentation; a drainage channel is not a substitute for radon testing or mitigation.
Sub-Floor Interior Tile
A below-slab drainage system can require concrete cutting, a sump pump and several days of work. It may be appropriate for some foundations or floor conditions. Compare access, dust control, pump maintenance, discharge and floor restoration in the written proposal.
DIY Kit
A do-it-yourself kit was listed historically. Ask for current kit contents, installation instructions, limitations, compatible surfaces and warranty terms. DIY installation may not be suitable for unusual foundations or active structural problems.
Honest Limitations
The legacy material excludes some substandard construction, including badly deteriorated block, red brick, dirt floors and very thin slabs. A site review is needed to identify those conditions and any structural or exterior drainage issue.
Pricing, packages & planning
| Item | Reference / estimate basis |
|---|---|
| Real Dry™ channel | Estimate after foundation and perimeter review |
| Sub-slab drain system | Scope depends on floor, pump and discharge |
| DIY kit | Confirm current product availability |
Historical prices are shown as references only. The final written estimate identifies measurements, product selections, access, removal, disposal and exclusions. Financing was previously advertised through GE Money as 90 days to 12 months with no down payment or deferred interest; current lender, offers, APR, eligibility and terms must be confirmed directly before applying.
Where a project combines several small repairs, ask whether a half-day or full-day visit is available. No package rate is published here because current labor prices were not present in the accessible legacy content.
Options compared
| Condition or option | CTHandiMan approach | Trade-off to consider |
|---|---|---|
| Real Dry™ perimeter channel | Non-invasive option described for suitable foundations | Not suitable for every floor or wall condition |
| Sub-slab tile | Captures water below the slab and routes to a sump | Concrete cutting, dust and pump maintenance may be involved |
| Exterior water management | Can reduce water reaching the foundation | Grading, downspouts and groundwater may need separate work |
There is no single product or installation method that fits every house. We explain the recommended scope, alternatives, what the work will not solve and any conditions that need a separate specialist.
A straightforward four-step process
- Call, text or send photos.
Describe the issue, share your town and attach photos through the estimate form. We ask follow-up questions when the pictures do not show access or concealed details.
- Review and measure.
We arrange a pressure-free site review and confirm dimensions, product choices and project conditions. Remote or satellite measurements, where relevant, are preliminary and may require field verification.
- Approve a written scope.
Review the price, materials, preparation, cleanup, schedule, exclusions and any licensed trade work before authorizing the project.
- Complete the work and review coverage.
The crew protects the work area, completes the approved scope and explains the written workmanship and manufacturer warranty terms that apply.
Local work, remembered by customers
These are summaries from names listed on the original site. Only the brief Karen P. sentence is presented as a direct quotation; original letters are not embedded in this local export.
Legacy testimonial summary: gutters and protecting fascia and soffits from moisture.
Peter & Janet Gothers
Customer name carried over from the original testimonial list; full letter text is not in this export.
Linda Forbes
“My experience with your company was wonderful from beginning to end.”
Karen P.
Frequently asked questions
Does Real Dry™ require breaking the concrete?
The legacy system description says no concrete trench is cut for the baseboard channel. Confirm the exact system and installation plan in the written proposal.
How long does installation take?
Historical material described a one-to-two-day installation. Actual time depends on perimeter length, access, prep and selected drainage route.
Can epoxy cure in a damp basement?
The product was described historically as setting in wet environments. Ask for the current technical sheet and the installer’s requirements for your conditions.
Does it seal radon?
Legacy material says the channel can be sealed against radon. This is not a radon test or a substitute for a qualified radon mitigation design.
Is it right for every basement?
No. Deteriorated masonry, dirt floors, thin slabs, structural issues or unusual drainage may require a different solution. Inspection determines suitability.
Can I install the DIY kit?
A kit was historically offered. Confirm current contents and limitations, and consider a professional assessment if water is active or the foundation is damaged.