Foundation Friday: Case Study: Waterproofing a bank; Worcester, Ma

This week, our team was called to a commercial banking facility facing persistent water infiltration.

🔍 The Problem

The property manager reached out after staff noticed dampness and signs of water staining in the mechanical room below the drive-thru. Upon inspection, we identified three key sources of water intrusion:

1. Two cold joints

2. The floor-to-wall seam running directly under the drive-thru, a common water entry point in both residential and commercial buildings.

3. A nearby pipe conduit penetration that hadn’t been properly sealed during the original install.

These types of vulnerabilities are especially concerning in commercial buildings, where even minor water issues can lead to interior damage, operational disruption, and mold growth that affects both employees and customers.

🛠 Our Repair Process

To ensure long-term protection and structural integrity, we implemented a multi-step repair strategy tailored to the building’s needs:

1. Cold Joint Injection

We pressure-injected both cold joints using a hydrophobic polyurethane foam designed to expand and seal even fine cracks. This technique allows the material to seek out and fill hidden voids, stopping water at its source. Because this was an active leak, timing and precision were critical.

2. Seam Injection at Floor-to-Wall Transition

The seam beneath the drive-thru was experiencing hydrostatic pressure. We drilled strategic ports along the joint and injected it from the bottom up, ensuring full penetration along the entire seam.

3. Surface Preparation and Drylok Restoration

In the area surrounding the injection site, old Drylok had begun to flake and crumble—likely due to water saturation and age. We:

• Mechanically scraped off failed Drylok

• Repatched crumbling spots with a high-bond repair mortar

• Applied a fresh coat of Drylok to seal the surface and reinforce the surrounding wall area

This restoration not only prevents water migration but also improves aesthetics in visible maintenance zones.

4. Pipe Penetration Seal

We cleaned and sealed around the exposed pipe conduit with an industrial-grade epoxy system to ensure a tight seal where the pipe enters the foundation wall. These small penetrations often go overlooked and can lead to slow leaks if not properly sealed.

(Click here to see before and after photos of Pipe Penetration projects)

🧩 Why Professional Waterproofing Matters in Commercial Spaces

Water infiltration in commercial spaces is more than an inconvenience—it’s a liability. Left untreated, it could have led to:

• Rotting structural elements

• Damage to electrical systems

• Indoor air quality issues from mold or mildew

• Increased maintenance costs over time

  
  

Our team completed this job efficiently, with minimal disruption to banking operations.

✅ The Result

• All leak points were sealed.

• The affected wall area was restored and reprotected.

• The customer now has a long-term solution with warranties in place and no downtime for their business.

  
  

This project is a great example of how commercial property owners benefit from proactive foundation and waterproofing solutions—especially in areas exposed to both the elements and the public.

📞 Need help with a commercial or residential leak? Call New England Foundation Crack Repair at 833-NECRACK (833-632-7225)