Basement Waterproofing FAQ: What Every Staten Island Homeowner Needs to Know

The Altman’s Waterproofing Approach in Staten Island

This FAQ answers common questions about basement waterproofing Staten Island homeowners actually need, based on the conditions, foundation types, and water issues specific to the area. Altman’s Waterproofing does not use French drains or trench systems. Our work is based on structural engineering principles, not water-diversion methods.

Instead of managing water after it enters, our basement waterproofing approach in Staten Island focuses on permanently sealing foundation walls using industrial-grade structural epoxy injection and proprietary wall-coating systems designed to stop water at its point of entry.

How Does Altman’s Approach Basement Waterproofing in Staten Island?

Basement waterproofing in Staten Island requires understanding how local soil conditions, aging foundations, and groundwater pressure affect below-grade structures. Our process begins by identifying where and why water is entering the foundation, not where it ends up on the floor.

In many Staten Island homes, water intrusion stems from a few structural issues, such as vertical wall cracks, cold joints, or porous foundation materials. Rather than breaking up floors or installing drainage channels, we inject structural epoxy through the full thickness of the wall, permanently fusing the concrete back together. When walls are older or porous, we apply a proprietary cementitious epoxy wall coating that seals capillary pathways and becomes part of the structure itself.

This is basement waterproofing done the same way critical infrastructure is protected, by restoring the wall, not working around it.

Why Doesn’t Altman’s Use French Drains or Trench Drainage Systems?

Many basement waterproofing Staten Island contractors rely on French drains because they assume groundwater will continue entering the basement and must be redirected. That assumption is often unnecessary.

When homeowners contact us after receiving trench-based proposals, inspections frequently reveal that water is entering through specific cracks or seams in the foundation wall. Once those entry points are permanently sealed, the water stops. There is nothing left to drain.

Trench systems also introduce new risks by cutting the basement floor, redirecting water beneath the slab, and increasing dependence on pumps. Our approach avoids those risks by repairing the foundation itself, which is why Altman’s does not install French drains as part of our Staten Island basement waterproofing work.

What Methods Does Altman’s Use for Basement Waterproofing?

Our Staten Island basement waterproofing solutions are selected based on the condition of the foundation, not a one-size-fits-all system.

For cracked foundations, we use industrial-strength structural epoxy injection that penetrates the full depth of the crack and bonds the concrete back together. This restores structural integrity while permanently sealing the leak.
For older or porous foundations common in Staten Island homes, we apply HydroSteel EpoxyFlex wall coatings. These coatings penetrate the wall surface, plug capillary pores, and bond permanently, unlike consumer waterproof paints or sealers that eventually fail.

Each basement waterproofing solution is chosen deliberately. We do not combine systems unless the structure truly requires it.

How Long Does Basement Waterproofing take with Altman’s?

Because our basement waterproofing process in Staten Island does not involve excavation or trenching, most projects are completed within a single day. The exact timeline depends on the number of cracks and whether wall coatings are needed.

Avoiding jackhammers, concrete removal, and floor reconstruction dramatically reduces disruption, especially in finished or occupied basements.

Can Altman’s Waterproof a Finished Basement?

Yes. Many finished basements in Staten Island are waterproofed using our structural sealing methods because we do not need to tear up floors or install drainage channels.

Crack injection and wall coatings are performed directly at the foundation wall, preserving drywall, flooring, and built-ins whenever possible. This makes our approach particularly well-suited for homeowners who want basement waterproofing without sacrificing their finished space.

Do I Need a Sump Pump for Basement Waterproofing in Staten Island?

In many cases, once foundation cracks and porous walls are sealed, water intrusion is eliminated, and a sump pump is no longer required. Our focus is on stopping water at its source rather than relying on mechanical systems to manage it.

That said, some Staten Island properties with high water tables or unique site conditions may benefit from a sump pump as a secondary safeguard. We evaluate this individually rather than treating sump pumps as a default part of basement waterproofing.

What Kind of Warranty Does Altman’s Offer?

Altman’s provides a lifetime transferable warranty on our basement waterproofing work. Because we permanently seal and structurally repair the foundation, the protection lasts for the life of the home and transfers to future owners.

For Staten Island homeowners planning to sell, this offers added confidence that the basement waterproofing solution addressed the structure itself, not just the symptoms.

How Does Epoxy Injection Compare to Foam Injection or Surface Patching?

Foam injections and surface patches are often used in basement waterproofing because they temporarily block visible water. They do not restore structural integrity and can fail as materials shrink, shift, or degrade.

Structural epoxy injection bonds the concrete back together, turning a crack into a solid section of wall. This is why epoxy is used in structural concrete repairs where failure is not acceptable.

In Staten Island basements where leaks return after foam or patch repairs, inspections usually show that the crack itself was never repaired. Once epoxy is injected, the wall regains strength and water intrusion stops at the source.

When is HydroSteel EpoxyFlex Used in Staten Island Basements?

HydroSteel EpoxyFlex is used when foundation walls are porous, deteriorated, or allow moisture migration through the wall surface rather than through a single crack.

This is common in older Staten Island homes where masonry or aging concrete allows moisture to wick inward. In these cases, sealing individual points is not enough. The wall itself must be treated.

The coating becomes a bonded part of the foundation wall, blocking groundwater movement through capillary action and providing permanent protection.

Is Interior Basement Waterproofing Safer than Exterior Excavation?

Exterior excavation can disrupt landscaping, utilities, and neighboring properties, particularly in dense Staten Island neighborhoods. It also assumes exterior access will fully resolve interior wall issues, which is not always the case.
Interior basement waterproofing that addresses the structure directly eliminates water entry without disturbing the surrounding property. This reduces risk, shortens timelines, and avoids unnecessary reconstruction.

What Makes Altman’s Basement Waterproofing Different?

Altman’s does not treat basement waterproofing in Staten Island as a drainage problem. We treat it as a structural integrity issue.

By sealing cracks through the full wall thickness and treating porous walls at their core, we eliminate water intrusion at its source. The result is not just a dry basement, but a structurally sound foundation protected for the long term.

Built for Staten Island, Proven in Staten Island

Basement waterproofing in Staten Island isn’t theoretical for us. It’s not something we learned from manuals, conferences, or out-of-town jobs. We’ve worked here for decades. We’ve seen the full range, from old porous foundations near the shoreline, to mid-island homes with settlement cracks, to basements that were “fixed” three times before anyone addressed the wall itself.

We understand how Staten Island soil behaves, how groundwater moves after heavy rain, and how aging foundations respond to pressure over time. We’ve seen what fails, what holds temporarily, and what actually lasts. That experience is why our approach looks different from what most homeowners are shown.

Altman’s isn’t a drainage crew or a trench-installation team. We don’t default to jackhammers, pumps, or systems designed to manage a problem indefinitely. We’re a structural waterproofing company. Our work is focused on sealing and restoring the foundation itself, because that’s where the problem starts.

If you’re looking for a typical basement waterproofing company, there are plenty of options. If you want a team that understands Staten Island foundations at a structural level and fixes the issue at its source, that’s where we come in. That difference matters. And it’s why homeowners here trust us with their basements, their homes, and their long-term peace of mind.

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