Identify the water path before choosing a coating or repair.
A damp cellar wall, recurring terrace leak, stained apartment ceiling, and wet storefront each present different questions. The water may involve grade, drainage, a roof edge, a window, a penetration, a cracked exterior wall, or a concealed membrane. MBA collects the pattern of symptoms and available records, then separates observed defects from possibilities that still need investigation.
A defined project may involve exterior wall interfaces, below-grade conditions, terrace or balcony assemblies, and related roof connections or interior restoration. The specific system, access method, qualified trade, design responsibility, and approval path are confirmed for the building. For a shower or bathroom wet area, tell us about the bathroom remodel so the waterproofing can be planned with the tile, fixtures, and surrounding finishes.
What the scope may include.
- Water intrusion history and affected-area review
- Assessment of visible exterior and interior conditions
- Defined investigation, removal, preparation, and repair boundaries
- Roof, wall, terrace, window, grade, and drainage interfaces
- Access, protection, qualified-trade, and approval coordination
- Agreed inspection, documentation, and closeout
Scope standard: Every proposal should distinguish confirmed work, exclusions, allowances, owner-supplied items, and unresolved conditions.
What gets coordinated before construction.
Observed versus assumed
A stain records where water became visible, not necessarily its entry point. Timing, storm direction, nearby openings, and prior repair results help distinguish a confirmed source from a hypothesis.
Assembly before product
Sealant, membrane, flashing, drainage, wall materials, and coating have different roles. The existing construction and affected transitions must be understood before a product is selected.
Occupied property
Terrace closures, resident notifications, interior access, business operations, safe routes, and temporary protection may govern the sequence as much as the repair itself.
Clear responsibility
Some conditions require a design professional, specialist investigation, permits, or work by a qualified trade. The estimate should assign those tasks and the follow-on restoration.
From review to closeout.
1. Project intake
We collect the address, property type, goals, photographs, drawings, building information, timing, and known constraints. The first objective is to determine project fit and what information is still missing.
2. Scope development
The site and documents are reviewed, responsibilities are separated, and open decisions are recorded. Pricing follows the defined scope instead of replacing it.
3. Preconstruction
Access, protection, approvals, trade sequence, procurement, schedule milestones, and communication rules are aligned before mobilization.
4. Construction and closeout
Work progresses through documented coordination, field review, decision tracking, changes when necessary, punch-list completion, and the agreed closeout package.
The owner receives a defined path from water investigation to construction and closeout, with unknowns identified and responsibility for each interface assigned.
Common questions.
Can MBA tell where a leak starts from one photo?
Usually not. Photos help locate the symptom, but rain history, whole-assembly views, existing documents, and sometimes testing or an exploratory opening are needed to identify the source.
Do you waterproof basements and cellars?
MBA can evaluate a lower-level moisture project for fit. The plan depends on whether the source is groundwater, surface runoff, a drain or plumbing condition, or an exterior wall detail; specialist or design input may be needed.
Will sealing exterior wall joints stop a leak?
Only when the joints are confirmed as the relevant entry path. Windows, coping, roof edges, flashing, and drainage may also contribute. We do not promise a leak cure from repointing alone.
What if water comes through a terrace?
The surface finish, drain, perimeter, threshold, membrane, and structure may all need review. The scope should say whether it is an investigation, a local repair, or a larger assembly replacement.
Is bathroom waterproofing included here?
Bathroom shower and wet-area assemblies are addressed as part of our bathroom remodeling scope. A building envelope leak requires different investigation and project planning.
What should I send with a waterproofing inquiry?
Send the address, property type, photos of the full exterior and affected interior, when the water appears, previous repair records, drawings if available, and the building's access requirements.
Building Waterproofing across New York City.
Choose the borough where the property is located for relevant building, access, and project-planning considerations. The exact scope follows a review of your address and conditions.
Explore building waterproofing by borough.
Choose where the property is located to review local building and access considerations, then send the complete address and project details for a specific estimate.