The Challenge

A homeowner in Melville, NY contacted Zavza Seal after noticing signs that part of their home was settling. The rear foundation had begun to sink, causing structural cracks in the basement foundation wall and creating an uneven wood floor above.ring our inspection, we found that the foundation required more than cosmetic repairs. As the foundation settled, cracks had developed in several areas of the basement wall, and the movement had also affected the flooring inside the home.

To prevent the problem from becoming worse, the foundation first needed to be stabilized before the damaged areas could be repaired.

Our Solution

After completing a full structural assessment, our team developed a repair plan that addressed both the cause of the settlement and the damage it had already created.

Stabilizing the Foundation

The first step was to stabilize the rear foundation using six helical piles. Our crew carefully excavated around the affected section of the home and installed each pile to the required load capacity to provide long-term support for the foundation.

Each helical pile was connected to the foundation using heavy-duty steel brackets, transferring the weight of the structure to stronger, more stable soil below the surface. Once the installation was complete, the excavation was backfilled and the property was restored to its original grade.

Because one of the piles needed to be installed near the chimney, our team also formed a new step around that area to complete the installation while protecting the structure.

Repairing the Foundation Cracks

With the foundation stabilized, we repaired three structural cracks in the basement foundation wall.

To ensure a lasting repair, we first ground the surface around each crack to remove dirt, loose concrete, and mineral deposits. Injection ports were then installed along the full length of each crack.

Using a combination of epoxy and urethane injection materials, we filled the cracks from the inside out, restoring structural strength while creating a watertight seal.

To further strengthen the repair, we applied a layer of Basecrete waterproofing cement, embedded reinforced fiberglass mesh over the repaired areas, and finished the system with a second coat of Basecrete waterproofing cement. This created a durable waterproof barrier while reinforcing the repaired sections of the wall.

Leveling the Interior Floor

Once the structural work was complete, we corrected the uneven floor inside the home.

Our team carefully removed the affected section of the wood flooring, installed precision shims where needed, and restored the floor to its original level before reinstalling the flooring.

This final step helped eliminate the uneven surface that had developed as the foundation settled.

The Results:

By completing all three phases of the project, Zavza Seal was able to restore both the stability of the home’s foundation and the integrity of the interior structure.

The completed project provided several long-term benefits:

• Stabilized the settling rear foundation with six helical piles.
• Prevented further foundation movement.
• Permanently repaired structural foundation cracks.
• Waterproofed the repaired wall using Basecrete waterproofing cement and reinforced fiberglass mesh.
• Restored the interior wood floor to a level surface.
• Improved the home’s long-term structural stability.

The homeowner now has a reinforced foundation that is better equipped to support the home for years to come while reducing the risk of future settlement and water intrusion.

Why Helical Piles Were the Right Solution?

When a foundation begins to settle, simply filling cracks does not solve the underlying problem. The movement must first be stopped before permanent repairs can be made.

For this Melville home, helical piles provided a reliable way to transfer the home’s weight to stronger load-bearing soil beneath the surface. Once the foundation was stabilized, our team was able to repair the existing damage and restore the home’s structural integrity.

By combining foundation stabilization, crack repair, waterproofing, and floor leveling into one project, Zavza Seal delivered a complete solution instead of a temporary fix.