The Problem:
A Brooklyn, NY homeowner needed help protecting two sections of the home’s exterior foundation walls from water.
The first area covered approximately 82 linear feet along the northwest side of the foundation. About 70 feet faced Florence Ave., with another 12 feet wrapping around the corner along Gerritsen Ave.
The second area covered approximately 62 linear feet along the southeast side of the foundation. About 50 feet faced Gotham Ave., with another 12 feet wrapping around the corner along Gerritsen Ave.
Both areas required excavation down to the bottom of the foundation footing, approximately 5 feet deep. The project also required a way to move water away from the foundation instead of allowing it to remain against the foundation walls.
Because the property had concrete slabs near the walls, those areas also needed to be carefully opened so the foundation could be reached.
The Solution:
The Zavza Seal team performed exterior foundation waterproofing and drainage work along both sections of the home.
We excavated approximately 164 linear feet in total. This included approximately 92 linear feet of excavation for Subject Area A and 72 linear feet for Subject Area B.
The excavation was carried down to the bottom of the foundation footing so the foundation wall and footing could be properly cleaned, repaired, waterproofed, and protected.
Foundation Wall Preparation
After excavation, we steel-brushed and cleaned the exterior foundation wall.
We repaired cracks and holes using Basecrete waterproofing cement. The foundation wall and footing were then sealed and waterproofed before the liquid rubber coating was applied across the surface.
The liquid rubber also works as an adhesive for the waterproofing membrane, helping the membrane stay in place.
Heavy-Duty Waterproofing Membrane
After the foundation surface was prepared, we installed a heavy-duty dimpled waterproofing membrane along the foundation wall.
The membrane creates a drainage space next to the foundation. Its dimpled design allows water to move downward toward the footing drain instead of remaining against the foundation wall.
The membrane was also mechanically secured. At the top, we applied a cement/poly adhesive and sealant to help seal the upper edge.
Exterior Footing Drainage
A new exterior foundation footing drain system was installed along both Subject Areas A and B.
The system included 4-inch perforated pipe placed in a gravel trench and covered with a soil separator.
The drainage system was designed to collect water around the foundation footing and move it away from the foundation. Proper foundation drainage is an important part of exterior moisture control. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency explains that footing drains can carry rainwater and groundwater away from the foundation and floor slab.
Dry Wells
The footing drain systems were connected to two newly excavated underground dry wells.
At each location, the final 10 feet of pipe leading away from the foundation was installed without perforations. This section was used to carry collected water away from the foundation and toward the dry well.
This gave each foundation drainage section a dedicated path for moving water away from the house.
Working Around the Concrete Slabs
The foundation walls wrapped around corners along Gerritsen Ave., where concrete slabs were located close to the foundation.
Our team carefully broke and removed the concrete slabs where necessary to allow excavation and waterproofing work.
We also planned the work so that both slabs were not removed at the same time. This allowed the home’s entrances to remain accessible during the project.
After the foundation waterproofing and drainage work was completed, new concrete slabs were installed to replace the sections that had been removed.
The Result:
Zavza Seal completed exterior foundation waterproofing and drainage work across approximately 144 linear feet of foundation wall in Brooklyn, NY.
The project included approximately 164 linear feet of excavation, foundation crack and hole repairs, liquid rubber waterproofing, a heavy-duty dimpled waterproofing membrane, exterior footing drains, and two underground dry wells.
The new drainage system gives groundwater and incidental water a path away from the foundation, while the waterproofing system provides an additional layer of protection along the exterior foundation wall.
For Brooklyn homeowners dealing with foundation water problems, exterior waterproofing and drainage can be an effective way to address water at the source rather than only treating it from inside the basement.
Need exterior foundation waterproofing or drainage in Brooklyn, NY? Contact Zavza Seal for an inspection and estimate.