The Problem: Water Intrusion Around the Back Door

A Brooklyn, NY homeowner was dealing with water entering around the back door and concerns about water reaching the basement.

The existing backyard and drainage conditions did not provide enough protection during rainfall. Water could collect near the back door and move toward the home.

There was also an existing drain near the affected area. Since the condition of the drain line was not known, it needed to be inspected before relying on it as part of the drainage solution.

One important concern was that the exact cause of the basement water intrusion could not be confirmed during the initial inspection. Water can travel through soil, masonry and other building components before becoming visible inside a home. Because of this, the drainage system was designed to address the water reaching the ground-floor area while the crew also investigated the basement conditions.

The Solution: A Complete Backyard Drainage System

Zavza Seal developed a drainage system designed to collect stormwater near the back door, move it away from the house and discharge it safely into the backyard drainage system.

The project included an L-shaped storm channel, sump pump basin, discharge line and three drywells.

L-Shaped Storm Channel Installation

Our team first cut and removed sections of the existing concrete to create trenches for two storm channels.

The channels were installed in an L-shaped configuration:

• One channel ran parallel to the back door entrance.
• The second channel ran along the wall adjacent to the door.

The channels were secured in place, and protective tape was placed over the grates during the concrete work.

High-strength concrete was then installed around the channels. After the concrete cured, the protective tape was removed to complete the installation.

The storm channels provide a collection point for surface water before it can build up around the back door.

Sump Pump and Basin Installation

The storm channels were connected to a new sump pump basin.

Our team installed the necessary pipes and fittings to direct collected water into the basin. A 1/2 HP high-efficiency sump pump was installed inside the basin to move the collected water through the discharge system.

The pump required a dedicated electrical connection. Electrical work was handled separately from the drainage installation.

Underground Discharge Line

A 1 1/2-inch discharge line was installed below grade and routed toward the back portion of the yard.

The discharge line was connected to a pop-up emitter designed to release the collected water at the surface and away from the affected area.

This gave the stormwater collected by the channels a controlled path away from the home’s back entrance.

Three Drywells for Stormwater Management

To provide additional capacity for managing stormwater, our team installed three drywells in the backyard.

A section of existing pavers was carefully removed to access the installation area. The ground was then excavated to create enough space for the three drywells.

The drywells were installed side by side on a 6-inch compacted gravel base with a soil separator. Gravel was placed between and over the drywells to complete the installation before the surrounding area was restored.

The drywell system provides an underground area where collected stormwater can be managed instead of remaining concentrated around the home.

Additional Back Door and Drain Repairs

The project also included several smaller repairs designed to improve water management around the entrance.

Under-Door Seal

An under-door seal was installed at the back entrance.

The seal was adjusted so it was tight enough to help limit water from passing beneath the door while still allowing the door to close properly.

Concrete Repair

Our team also repaired the concrete near the existing drain to improve the condition of the area around the entrance.

Existing Drain Inspection

Because the condition of the existing drain line was unknown, a camera inspection was performed to check for possible blockages, damage or other problems.

If issues were found that required plumbing work beyond the drainage scope, those repairs would need to be handled separately by a qualified plumber.

The Result: Improved Stormwater Management Around the Home

The completed drainage work created a dedicated path for water collecting around the backyard entrance.

The new system uses storm channels to collect surface water, a sump pump to move the collected water, an underground discharge line to carry it away and drywells to help manage stormwater below ground.

The under-door seal and concrete repair provided additional protection around the back entrance.

Because the original source of basement water intrusion could not be confirmed with certainty, the system should not be represented as a guaranteed basement waterproofing solution. Its primary purpose was to reduce water exposure around the ground-floor entrance and backyard area while allowing the team to investigate the basement conditions further.

Why Proper Drainage Matters

Water that collects next to a home can create problems when it does not have a clear path away from the structure.

A well-designed drainage system can help control surface water before it reaches vulnerable areas such as doors, foundation walls and low points around the property.

For Brooklyn homeowners, drainage solutions may include surface channels, sump pumps, underground discharge lines and drywells depending on the property’s layout and existing site conditions.

The right solution depends on how water moves across and around the property. That is why Zavza Seal evaluates the existing conditions before recommending a drainage system.

Need Stormwater Drainage Solutions in Brooklyn, NY?

If water collects around your back door, patio or foundation, the right drainage system can help control where that water goes.

Zavza Seal provides stormwater drainage, sump pump and water intrusion solutions in Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and throughout Long Island.

Contact Zavza Seal to have your property’s drainage conditions evaluated and find a practical solution for managing water around your home.