The Problem:
A Brooklyn, NY homeowner was dealing with water coming through two vertical cracks in the foundation wall. Each crack was approximately 6 feet long.
The cracks were allowing water to enter through the foundation wall. The affected areas also showed signs of moisture and deteriorated masonry. Because the cracks extended through the foundation wall, simply covering the surface would not address the points where water was entering.
The property also had a paver patio and adjoining walkway that had settled over time. The movement of the material underneath the pavers had caused the surfaces to lose their proper elevations and drainage.
The homeowner needed two problems addressed:
- Stop water from entering through the foundation cracks.
- Restore the settled paver patio and walkway.
Water intrusion through foundation cracks is a common source of basement moisture. Properly addressing the crack and the surrounding masonry can help protect the foundation from continued moisture problems.
The Solution:
The Zavza Seal team inspected the affected foundation areas and developed a repair plan that addressed the cracks from both the interior and exterior.
Interior Foundation Crack Injection
The two interior foundation cracks were prepared for repair by chasing and grinding the affected areas with diamond blades. This removed efflorescence, dirt, and loose or deteriorated material.
The exposed masonry was then prepared so the repair materials could properly bond to the foundation.
Where needed, we drilled the affected areas and injected the points of water penetration using hydrophobic urethane and epoxy formulations.
After the injection work was completed, we applied a coat of high-strength 6,000 PSI waterproofing cement over the repaired areas.
A 4.5 oz fiberglass reinforcing mesh was embedded into the first coat. We then applied a second coat of waterproofing cement to fully cover the mesh and complete the interior waterproofing repair.
This created a reinforced waterproofing layer over the repaired foundation cracks.
Exterior Foundation Crack Repair
The above-grade portions of the same two cracks were repaired from the exterior.
Our team excavated only as much as needed to expose the affected areas. The exposed masonry was then cleaned and prepared by chasing and grinding away loose material.
The cracks were repaired with high-strength repair mortar.
We then applied two coats of 6,000 PSI waterproofing cement, with 4.5 oz fiberglass reinforcing mesh embedded between the coats.
After the waterproofing work was completed, the disturbed areas were backfilled and restored to the existing grade.
Addressing the exposed portions of the cracks from the outside provided an additional layer of protection against moisture entering through the foundation wall.
Paver Patio Restoration
The property also had an approximately 500-square-foot paver patio measuring about 20 feet by 25 feet.
The pavers had settled because of movement and instability in the material underneath them. Instead of replacing the entire patio, the existing pavers were carefully removed and set aside for reuse.
The underlying substrate was then stabilized and compacted. Additional RCA and bedding sand were added where needed.
The existing pavers were reinstalled to restore proper elevations and improve positive drainage.
The completed installation was compacted and polymeric joint sand was installed between the pavers.
Walkway Restoration
The adjoining walkway covered approximately 150 square feet and had also experienced settlement.
The existing pavers were carefully removed so they could be reused. The underlying base was stabilized and compacted, with additional RCA and bedding sand added where necessary.
The pavers were then reinstalled at the proper elevation and compacted.
Polymeric joint sand was installed to complete the restoration.
The Result:
The foundation repair addressed the two major areas where water was entering through the foundation wall.
The interior cracks were pressure injected and reinforced with a waterproofing cement system. The above-grade portions of the cracks were also repaired and waterproofed from the exterior.
The paver patio and walkway were restored using the existing pavers. Stabilizing the base and resetting the pavers helped restore the surfaces to proper elevations and improve drainage around the property.
The project gave the homeowner a more complete solution by addressing both the foundation water intrusion and the settled hardscape areas around the home.
Need help with a leaking foundation crack? Contact Zavza Seal for a free, no-obligation estimate.