The Problem:

A Northport, NY homeowner was dealing with water intrusion in the basement. Our senior estimator and project manager inspected the area..

During the inspection, we found signs of water intrusion in several areas. Some appeared to be from older leaks, while other areas showed signs of active water intrusion. Water traces and rusted metal were visible in the basement.

The main concern was two thru-wall conduits in the foundation wall. These openings can allow water to enter the basement when the joint around the conduit is not properly sealed.

However, water does not always appear directly below the point where it enters. It can travel through materials such as metal ceiling decking before dripping into the basement at a different location. Because of this, simply repairing the areas where water was visible would not provide enough information to identify the full source of the problem.

The Solution:

Zavza Seal first recommended exploratory work before completing the final waterproofing repair.

This approach allowed our team to identify the actual source and path of the water instead of guessing at the cause. It also helped us create a more accurate scope of work and avoid adding unnecessary costs for repairs that may not be needed.

Our exploratory work could include:

• Photo and video documentation
• Inspection and probing of the ceiling
• Infrared and moisture testing
• X-ray analysis when needed
• Measurements of the basement and surrounding areas
• Water testing

Once the investigation was complete, our project manager could document the locations and causes of the water intrusion and prepare a detailed repair plan.

Repairing the Foundation Wall Conduits

For the two thru-wall conduits, the repair process included:

Exterior excavation: We excavated the soil outside the foundation wall to expose the thru-wall joints.

Joint preparation: The exposed joints were cleaned and prepared for sealing.

Sealant installation: We tightly packed 3M 5200 marine sealant into the joints to help stop water from passing through the openings.

Liquid membrane waterproofing: We applied a liquid waterproofing membrane to the exposed section of the foundation wall to provide an additional layer of protection.

The Result:

The Northport basement received a targeted waterproofing repair focused on the areas allowing water to enter through the foundation wall.

Instead of treating the visible water alone, the investigation helped our team understand where the water was coming from and how it was moving through the structure. This allowed the repair plan to focus on the actual source of the intrusion.

Zavza Seal provides a 40-year warranty on our waterproofing solutions. When a homeowner chooses to move forward with the recommended repair work through Zavza Seal, 50% of the exploratory work fee is deducted from the cost of the repair.

Why Finding the Source Matters?

Basement water problems are not always as simple as finding a wet spot and sealing it. Water can travel through walls, joints and other building materials before becoming visible.

A proper investigation can help identify the source before repair work begins. This can lead to a more focused repair and help homeowners avoid paying for unnecessary work.

For homeowners in Northport, Long Island and surrounding areas dealing with basement water intrusion, foundation leaks or damp basement walls, professional inspection and waterproofing can help protect the foundation and interior space.