Fixing a Major Drainage Problem and Stopping Basement Water for Good

The Situation:

A Brooklyn homeowner reached out to Zavza Seal after dealing with two frustrating issues. Their sewer line was not draining properly, and water was making its way into the basement through an older rubble foundation wall. Previous attempts to clear the sewer line had not worked, and the basement walls were finished, which made it hard to see where the water was actually coming from.

The homeowner wanted real answers, not guesses, and a solution that would last.

The Problem:

A Sewer Line That Would Not Clear:

The sewer line running from the house trap to the street was heavily clogged. Standard snaking methods had already failed, which usually means there is more going on inside the pipe than a simple blockage.

After inspection, we found:

• Thick sludge coating the inside of the pipe
• Tree roots growing into the sewer line
• Restricted flow that could easily lead to backups

Water Entering the Basement:

Water was also getting into the basement through a rubble foundation wall. The problem was hidden behind Sheetrock, which meant the true source of the leak could not be identified without opening the wall.

The homeowner sent us a video of the leak. After reviewing it, our senior estimator explained that guessing the cause without seeing behind the wall would only lead to inflated pricing. Zavza Seal does not believe in padding numbers or charging for unknowns.

The only fair way forward was to investigate properly.

The Solution:

Clearing the Sewer Line the Right Way:

Instead of relying on the same methods that had already failed, our team took a more thorough approach.

• We ran a camera through the sewer line so the homeowner could see exactly what was happening inside the pipe
• We used a high-speed chain snake to break up and remove the heavy sludge
• We cut through root intrusions to fully open the line
• We sealed the trap plugs to finish the repair and prevent future leakage

Once completed, wastewater was flowing freely to the street sewer again.

Waterproofing the Basement from the Inside Out:

To stop the basement water problem, we needed full access to the foundation wall.

Here is what we did:

• Carefully removed the finished Sheetrock wall along the affected area
• Cleaned and prepared the rubble foundation and filled visible gaps with high-strength mortar
• Dug a trench along the base of the wall to install a new drainage system
• Installed a perforated drainage pipe, surrounded by clean gravel and protective fabric
• Directed groundwater to a sump basin with a 1/3 HP sump pump that discharges into the sewer line
• Installed a p the wall to guide water safely into the drainage systemDelta MS waterproof membrane u
• Left space behind the membrane so water can move freely without pressure buildup
• Rebuilt and refinished the wall using moisture-resistant Sheetrock so the basement looked like it did before the work started

Finding the Exact Cause Before Quoting Repairs:

Because not every water issue is visible, we also recommended exploratory work to avoid guesswork.

This included:

• Running controlled water tests in the correct order
• Using high-wattage lighting to inspect hidden areas
• Opening select wall sections when necessary
• Checking plumbing lines and the wall to slab joint

Once this work was complete, our project manager provided a clear report and a detailed repair estimate the very next business day. If the homeowner moves forward with the repair, the cost of the exploratory work is deducted from the total.

The Result:

The homeowner now has:

• A sewer line that drains properly with no obstructions
• A dry, protected basement designed to manage groundwater correctly
• A clear understanding of what caused the problem and how it was fixed
• Confidence knowing the waterproofing system is backed by a 40-year warranty

Most importantly, the homeowner did not pay for guesswork.

Why This Matters for Brooklyn Homes?

Many Brooklyn homes have older sewer lines and rubble foundations that hide serious issues behind finished walls. Quick fixes often fail because the real problem is never identified.

Zavza Seal focuses on finding the cause first, then fixing it the right way.