Problem:

A homeowner in Brooklyn reached out to Zavza Seal after noticing repeated water intrusion along the north and east sides of the foundation. Moisture was showing up in the basement after every rainfall and the front brick staircase was deteriorating. Cracks, loose bricks, and flaking mortar were spreading fast.

The owner had tried patching the issues in the past, but nothing held. The problem ran deeper than surface damage. Water was pushing through below grade and the aging staircase materials could no longer keep moisture out. They needed a long term fix, not another temporary patch.

Solution:

Our crew walked the entire property and confirmed what the homeowner suspected. The north side foundation wall and the east front wall both needed full exterior waterproofing. The staircase also required structural patching and a complete reseal.

To begin, we carefully excavated around the affected sections of the home, bringing the soil down to the bottom of the footing. Only then could we expose the areas where water was entering. Once the walls were cleared, everything was cleaned with steel brushes so that damaged materials could be removed and the foundation surface prepared properly.

We reinforced the compromised areas using fibermesh layered between two coats of high strength 6,000 PSI waterproofing cement. After the repairs were cured, a heavy layer of liquid waterproofing rubber was applied across the exposed wall and footing. To complete the system, we installed a Delta brand waterproofing membrane, an industry trusted barrier designed to protect foundations from long term soil moisture.

When the waterproofing was finished, the soil was backfilled and compacted to its original grade. The old concrete slab that had been removed during excavation was replaced with reinforced 4,000 PSI concrete for added durability.

The front brick staircase received its own restoration. We brushed off all loose materials, repaired every visible crack, filled gaps, and sealed the entire surface with waterproof brick and concrete seal. The homeowner understood that newly repaired areas naturally look different than decades old brick, but the structure is now protected and watertight.

In the end, the basement stayed dry, the foundation was protected, and the staircase gained a new lease on life. The homeowner finally had peace of mind after years of moisture problems.