Mott Haven Basement Waterproofing
Basement Waterproofing in Mott Haven, the Bronx
Damp cellars and leaking basement walls in the row houses and older buildings of the southern Bronx, traced to their cause and fixed.
- Leak source found before any work starts
- Walls, floors and drainage reviewed
- Written price after a free visit
Why Do Basements Get Wet in Mott Haven?
Old cellars in Mott Haven let water in through porous stone and brick walls, cracked masonry, failed mortar and poor drainage outside. Rain and groundwater press against below grade walls and find every gap. Blocks close to the Harlem River sit lower, which can add to the problem.
Mott Haven lies on the Harlem River at the southern end of the Bronx. Streets close to the river sit lower than the inland row house blocks. We do not assume your block floods. We look at your own walls and your own drainage.
- Damp patches or running water on cellar walls
- White powder, called efflorescence, on masonry
- Peeling paint and a musty smell
- Puddles at the base of the wall after rain
- Water coming up through the floor slab
- Sewer backup after heavy storms
Row houses on Alexander Avenue and the nearby East 130s and 140s often have stone or brick foundations that were never sealed. Over many years, mortar softens and joints open. That is a common starting point.
Water on the Cellar Floor After Rain?
Note when the water appears and where it comes in. That helps us find the cause faster.
How We Fix It
How Is a Wet Basement Waterproofed in Mott Haven?
We find where the water comes from, then fix that. For many cellars this means repairing cracked and open masonry joints, sealing the interior or exterior wall, and correcting the drainage that sends water to the foundation. The right plan depends on what we find.
Inside the cellar, we can repoint stone and brick, patch cracks and apply sealers made for masonry. Outside, where access allows, we can address grade, gutters and downspouts that put water against the wall.
Sealing a wall that is still taking in water from a bad downspout only hides the problem. That is why we look at the whole path of the water, from roof to ground.
Waterproofing does not replace plumbing work. If the cause is a sewer backup, a licensed plumber is needed, and a backwater valve may help. We will tell you when your problem belongs to a plumber.
Do Waterproofing Jobs in Mott Haven Need Approvals?
Interior sealing usually involves little paperwork. Exterior excavation, structural wall repair or work that reaches the sidewalk can require permits from the Department of Buildings or the DOT. Mott Haven also has three historic districts where facade changes may need Landmarks Preservation Commission approval.
The districts are the Mott Haven Historic District, the Mott Haven East Historic District and the Bertine Block Historic District. Cellar work is mostly out of sight, but a front wall or areaway change could be reviewed. Confirm current rules with the city.
We tell you what your job needs before we begin, and we file the permits we are responsible for. Work entirely on private property does not need the DOT sidewalk permit, though structural work can involve the Department of Buildings.
Is a sump pump part of waterproofing?
Sometimes. If water collects in the cellar even after the walls are sealed, a pump can move it out. We explain whether yours needs one.
Why Us
Why Do Mott Haven Owners Hire Us for Wet Basements?
Cause first, fix second
We trace the leak before proposing any repair, so you pay for what works.
25+ years in NYC
Old stone and brick cellars are work we have done many times.
Clear written estimates
Every wall, seal and drain is listed before you agree.
Nearby
Basement Waterproofing Near Mott Haven
Nearby neighborhoods where we also waterproof basements.
FAQ
Mott Haven Waterproofing Questions
Moisture can pass through porous masonry as vapor. Sealing walls and fixing drainage often reduces the smell, though results depend on the cause.
Yes. We repair the joints first, then seal the wall. Old stone moves and breathes, so we choose methods that suit it.
A sewer backup is a plumbing problem. A licensed plumber should look at it, and a backwater valve may be part of the answer.
We cannot promise a perfectly dry cellar. You get a written scope that says what the work is meant to do.
We do. Call (718) 468-8803 to book a time and get the price in writing.
Free on site estimate
Dry Out Your Mott Haven Basement
We visit, find the leak and put the price on paper.
Contact
Request Your Mott Haven Waterproofing Estimate
Describe where the water appears and how often. Photos of the walls and floor help.
- Call us(718) 468-8803
- HoursMon to Sat, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Free on site estimate with a written price
- Licensed and insured, 25+ years in business
- We handle DOT sidewalk permits
- Serving Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx
Get Your Free Estimate
Takes about a minute. No cost and no obligation.