Town/Neighborhood: Westbury
Borough/County: Nassau County
Construction Type: Residential
Category: Foundation Repair, Waterproofing, Structural Concrete Reinforcement
Problem
A homeowner in Westbury, NY contacted Zavza Seal to address multiple water intrusion issues and structural deficiencies throughout their basement and surrounding exterior areas. The property exhibited signs of water infiltration through foundation walls, a failing sill plate, drainage issues at window wells, and cracking in both walls and floor slabs. The overall condition posed a serious risk to structural stability and indoor air quality.
Solution
Our team at Zavza Seal implemented a comprehensive, phased plan that included foundation waterproofing, structural repairs, interior sealing, and advanced drainage installation.
1. Foundation Crack and Waterproofing Repair
We started by addressing small steel dowel penetrations in the foundation walls:
- Cut 0.5 inches into the steel dowels using diamond blades.
- Ground 2 inches around each cavity, filled with hydraulic cement, and reinforced the area with 4.5 oz fibermesh sandwiched between two coats of Basecrete waterproofing cement for complete sealing.
2. Sill Plate Replacement (10 Linear Feet)
- Phased jacking of floor joists by 1/4 inch.
- Installed temporary structural shoring to safely support the floor above.
- Removed the rotted sill plate and installed a new pressure-treated sill plate, secured with galvanized bolts and steel plates.
- Removed the shoring after final stabilization.
3. Stoop Waterproofing
- Removed flashing above the sill plate to inspect for water penetration.
- Sealed all gaps and joints around the stoop using premium-grade sealants.
- Reinstalled flashing to protect the structure and complete the waterproofing system.
4. Wall Behind Electric Box Repair
Due to the high cost of removing the electric panel, we opted for an exterior excavation:
- Excavated 4 feet deep to expose the wall.
- Repaired wall cavities with high-strength mortar, followed by a layer of liquid rubber waterproofing.
- Installed a waterproofing membrane on top to ensure long-term durability.
5. Catch Basins and Drainage System (3 Locations)
To address poor surface drainage:
- Installed three catch basins at low points near the foundation.
- Used underground excavation techniques to tunnel beneath slabs and walls.
- Connected the catch basins to underground dry wells located 12 feet from the foundation.
- Each dry well was bedded and backfilled with gravel for optimal drainage.
6. Structural Crack Repair in Basement Concrete Slab
- Chased cracks with diamond blades, then cut perpendicular deep slots every 12 inches.
- Filled slots with structural epoxy and installed carbon fiber stitches, each capable of resisting 6,500 lbs of force.
- Applied 7,000 PSI waterproofing cement, embedded with 4.5 oz fibermesh, and sealed with a second cement layer.
7. Basement Floor Coating
- Ground and abraded the entire floor surface.
- Applied Sherwin Williams weatherproof epoxy coating, per owner’s color selection, for a durable and aesthetic finish.
8. Basement Wall Interior Waterproofing (Approx. 600 sq. ft)
- Used steel wire wheels and diamond blades to grind the wall surface.
- Extended surface prep 3 to 4 inches onto the floor slab.
- Patched with high-strength grout and installed fibermesh at the wall-floor joint around the basement.
- Applied waterproofing paint to all basement walls.
9. Basement Wall Structural Crack Injection (3 Cracks)
- Chased and opened visible cracks.
- Injected urethane and epoxy formulations to fill voids.
- Sealed with hydraulic cement, then reinforced with fibermesh and two coats of waterproofing cement.
10. Window Well Drainage System (3 Wells)
- Excavated 4 feet deep and removed existing guards.
- Installed self-contained drainage systems filled with gravel.
- Reinstalled window guards higher and close to the siding to prevent contact while improving runoff.
11. Mold Prevention and Move of Personal Property
- Moved personal items to a landfill.
- As part of clearance, we applied a hospital-grade disinfectant spray on all surfaces.
- This non-flammable, odorless treatment kills mold, mildew, bacteria, and viruses, and also repels rodents.
Results
With the implementation of this multi-faceted waterproofing and repair project, the Westbury homeowner’s property is now fully protected from future water intrusion and structural risks. From sill plate replacement and basement waterproofing to epoxy crack repair and catch basin drainage installation, Zavza Seal delivered a seamless, long-term solution backed by expertise.
Need expert basement waterproofing or foundation repair in Westbury or greater Nassau County?
Contact Zavza Seal today for a free consultation and comprehensive project planning.