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American A-1 Waterproofing

Waterproofing Company in Newark, New Jersey.

American A-1 Waterproofing is a waterproofing contractor based in Newark, NJ. Its NJ Home Improvement Contractor registration is reported by the company and not yet verified, so check it with New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs before work starts.

4.8on Google · 98 reviews36 years in business
  • TenBestFind Reviewed
  • Top 10 Winner
  • iWhat do these badges mean?
    TenBestFind Reviewed
    Our editorial team has researched and reviewed this business.
    Verified Business
    Key business information or ownership has been verified against a primary source.
    Top 10 Winner
    The company currently appears in at least one active TenBestFind Top 10 ranking.
    Featured Partner
    A paid commercial relationship with TenBestFind. It never earns or influences a ranking position. This company holds no such relationship.

    Advertising & Sponsorship Disclosure

Quick Overview

iHow this is made

This summary is generated from the verified data on this profile: services, service area, credentials, warranty terms and the company's Google review record. It is reviewed by an editor before publishing and refreshed whenever the underlying data changes. Nothing here is asserted that is not stated elsewhere on this page.

Editorial Standards

American A-1 Waterproofing says it is the only basement waterproofing company in New Jersey certified as a Certified Waterproofing Specialist by NAWSRC. The company works from Haledon in Passaic County, roughly 15 miles from downtown Newark, and its service area page names Newark and dozens of other Essex County towns. It has operated since 1990 and is now owned by Lubeth "Lu" Manzo, who joined as a laborer. Services cover interior and exterior waterproofing, foundation repair, mold remediation, downspout and yard drainage, and driveway drainage. It offers a 25 year transferable warranty against water seepage and lists New Jersey licence 13VH01282300. Google shows 4.8 from 97 reviews, read October 21, 2026, with reviewers praising clean work areas and fast follow up.

  • Best for wet basements, crawl spaces and yard drainage across essex county
  • States a 25 year transferable warranty against water seepage
  • Based in Haledon, about 15 miles from Newark, not inside the city

Company Facts

American A-1 Waterproofing at a Glance

By the numbers

Google rating
4.8out of 5
Customer reviews
98on Google
In business
36years

Rating and review count pulled from Google on October 28, 2026. Years counted from 1990.

The work

Best for
Wet basements, crawl spaces and yard drainage across Essex County
Primary service
Waterproofing

Where

Headquarters
Newark, NJ
Service area
Newark
Emergency service
Not advertised

Money and guarantees

Free estimates
Yes
Financing
Not advertised
Workmanship warranty
25 year transferable warranty against water seepage, excluding prolonged power outages and natural disasters.

Credentials

NJ Home Improvement Contractor registration
13VH01282300 (reported by the company, not verified)

Editorial Review

Our Take on American A-1 Waterproofing

The standout is a specialist focus backed by a 25 year transferable warranty and a long run of consistent praise for clean, responsive work. The Haledon base means Newark is a drive of about 15 miles, so confirm scheduling and travel expectations when you call.

Best forWet basements, crawl spaces and yard drainage across Essex County

What We Like

  • States a 25 year transferable warranty against water seepage
  • Operating since 1990, now owned by Lu Manzo, who joined as a laborer
  • Services cover interior and exterior waterproofing, foundation repair, mold and yard drainage
  • Service area page names Newark and about 30 Essex County towns
  • Claims NAWSRC Certified Waterproofing Specialist status and a BBB A+ rating

Things to Consider

  • Based in Haledon, about 15 miles from Newark, not inside the city
  • Site lists two different phone numbers and no email, hours, financing or emergency policy
  • NAWSRC and BBB claims come from the company site and were not independently confirmed

Customer Ratings

Google Reviews for American A-1 Waterproofing

Customer ratings shown here come from Google. They are separate from our editorial review above.

Google rating

4.8

Based on 98 Google reviews

Review data updated October 28, 2026

View on Google Maps

Rating Distribution

  • 5 stars96%
  • 2 stars1%
  • 1 star3%
iAbout this distribution

The distribution reflects the 98 Google reviews available when this profile's review data was last refreshed on October 28, 2026. Ratings and counts change continuously on Google, so figures here may lag the live profile slightly. We publish only the values returned by the source, never estimates for missing bands.

Editorial Standards

Recent Google Reviews

  • Stephen Wassel5.0

    Lou is proffesional and personable and makes himself available to answer any questions. He was extremely knowledgeable for what needed to be done to fix my water issue. Lou and his team installed drainage in my driveway to prevent water from entering my garage. They installed it in professional manner and it looks great and drains great. I had the rest of the driveway repaved and the paving contractor raved about the completed drainage project. I highly recommend American A-1 Waterproofing, Lou and his team!!

    October 2026Google
  • eric d5.0

    Amazed at how professional they were. They made a big job seem small. So well organized. My neighbors all thought it was a beautification project they were done!

    July 2026Google
  • Jen Seaman5.0

    Lou and his crew are outstanding. They've completed several drainage improvements at our home, including rerouting our underground drain system to better manage rainwater. Every project has been done professionally, on time, and with great attention to detail. When a storm knocked down one of our downspouts, Lou made us a priority and had it repaired before the next round of severe weather. That kind of responsiveness is hard to find. Honest, dependable, and excellent craftsmanship. I highly recommend them to anyone looking for drainage or waterproofing.

    June 2026Google
  • John5.0

    From chat got We had chronic water issues in both our crawl space and basement storage area. Years ago, we installed two sump pumps, but they only helped remove the water after it had already entered. We also tried sealing the walls with waterproof paint, but that didn’t solve the problem. After dealing with water intrusion every time we had a heavy rainstorm, a relative recommended American A-1 Waterproofing. We called them, and they thoroughly inspected our crawl space and provided a fair estimate for the repairs. The crew arrived as scheduled, completed the work professionally, and the results have been excellent. It has now been over three years since the repairs were completed, and we have not had any more water leaking into the crawl space. We highly recommend American A-1 Waterproofing to anyone dealing with basement or crawl space waterproofing issues.

    May 2026Google
  • Dave & Sherry5.0

    We recently had American A-1 install a complete outdoor underground drainage system along with significant re-grading and other work in our large yard and couldn't be happier with the results. The owner Lu was exceptional with his planning, communication, follow up, and attention to detail. It’s rare to find a contractor who is this responsive and cares about getting everything right. The crew was outstanding: on-time, professional, treated things in our yard with care, and left everything neat and tidy afterward. Multiple neighbors commented after the job was done on how hard they saw the crew working! The end result exceeded our expectations. The system functions well, the yard looks great, and we don't have to be anxious whenever the forecast calls for rain anymore. If you’re looking for a top-notch company to do high-quality work the right way, this is it and we definitely recommend them.

    May 2026Google
  • Kevin Umstead5.0

    All the five-star reviews are entirely accurate. If you encounter water issues in your home, contact Lu. Lu and his team are honest, perform exceptional work, and Lu is very responsive to inquiries. From the quotes I received, Lu does not overcharge his clients. His team is exceptionally courteous and maintains a pristine level of cleanliness. Upon completion of their work, I could not tell there was any construction in my basement. You can’t ask for a better contractor

    April 2026Google

View more Google reviews

Ranked#5of 5 waterproofing companies in Newark, NJre-checked October 2026

Editorial Ranking

Why American A-1 Waterproofing Made Our Top 5

It holds position 5 in 5 Best Waterproofing Companies in Newark, NJ (2026).

See the Full Newark RankingPositions cannot be bought

Areas Served

Based in Newark, NJ.

iAbout service coverage

Coverage is as the business describes it, cross-checked against where its recent documented work is. A company will often travel beyond the areas listed here for a large job and decline a small one at the same distance, so confirm your address before scheduling.

Editorial Standards

Company Background

About American A-1 Waterproofing

American A-1 Waterproofing says it is the only basement waterproofing company in New Jersey certified as a Certified Waterproofing Specialist by NAWSRC, a claim made on its own website that we could not independently confirm. The company works from 198 Belmont Avenue in Haledon, Passaic County, about 15 miles northwest of downtown Newark. Its service area page lists Newark and dozens of other Essex County towns, including Belleville, Bloomfield, Irvington, East Orange, Montclair and West Orange, alongside parts of Bergen, Hudson, Passaic, Morris and Somerset counties.

The site says the business has operated since 1990. Roland Achtau founded it and owned it for 25 years before handing it to Lubeth "Lu" Manzo, who started as a laborer, moved up to foreman and then sales, and has owned the company for five years. Services listed are interior waterproofing, exterior waterproofing, foundation repair, mold remediation, downspout and yard drainage, and driveway drainage. The exterior page describes excavating to the footing, sealing cracks, applying a membrane, adding drainage board and perforated drain tile set in gravel, and discharging to a sump, storm sewer or daylight outlet. No product brands are named.

American A-1 Waterproofing holds 4.8 from 97 Google reviews, read October 21, 2026. Reviewers describe a crawl space that has stayed dry for more than three years, an underground yard drainage system with regrading, and a storm-damaged downspout repaired before the next round of weather. Several credit Lu for quick replies and tidy work areas. One reviewer wished the company did more than waterproofing, which is what you would expect from a specialist. The company lists a 25 year transferable warranty against water seepage, with exceptions for prolonged power outages and natural disasters, plus New Jersey licence number 13VH01282300 and a BBB A+ rating.

It suits Newark homeowners with wet basements, crawl spaces or yard runoff who want a specialist with a long local record. It suits less well anyone who wants a company based inside Newark, or who needs financing or emergency service, since the site states neither. Before booking, check the registration with the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs at njconsumeraffairs.gov, because New Jersey requires home improvement contractors to register but has no waterproofing licence of its own. Ask for the warranty in writing, ask which method is proposed and why, and confirm which phone number is current, because the site lists two.

iWhere this information comes from

Company history, ownership and capability details on this page are provided by the business and reviewed by our editors for plausibility and consistency. They are not the same as the credentials block, where each item carries its own verification status and source.

Editorial Standards

Credentials

  • NJ Home Improvement Contractor registrationNew Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs · 13VH01282300Reported
  • Certified Waterproofing Specialist (company claim)NAWSRCReported
  • BBB A+ rating (company claim)Better Business BureauReported
iWhat verified means here

Verified means we checked the credential against the authority that issues it and recorded the date. Reported means the business told us and we could not independently confirm it. We publish both, labelled, rather than dropping what we could not check.

Editorial Standards

Other Sources

Reputation by Source

We show each source separately rather than blending them into a single score, because they measure different things.

  • Google

    4.8/ 5

    98 customer reviews

  • TenBestFind

    Editorially reviewed

    Ranked #5 in Newark waterproofing, October 2026

Pricing

Company Pricing & Estimates

What this company publishes about its own pricing.

Free estimates
Yes
Workmanship warranty
25 year transferable warranty against water seepage, excluding prolonged power outages and natural disasters.

Gallery

Project Photos

Business-submitted, reviewed by our editors

  • American A-1 WaterproofingAmerican A-1 Waterproofing
  • American A-1 WaterproofingAmerican A-1 Waterproofing
  • American A-1 WaterproofingAmerican A-1 Waterproofing
  • American A-1 WaterproofingAmerican A-1 Waterproofing
  • American A-1 WaterproofingAmerican A-1 Waterproofing

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American A-1 Waterproofing FAQs

  • Is American A-1 Waterproofing licensed in New Jersey?

    Its website lists New Jersey licence number 13VH01282300 and describes the company as licensed, bonded and insured. New Jersey requires home improvement contractors to register with the Division of Consumer Affairs but has no waterproofing specific licence, so check the number at njconsumeraffairs.gov before signing. The site also claims NAWSRC Certified Waterproofing Specialist status and a BBB A+ rating, which are the company's own statements.

  • What are American A-1 Waterproofing's hours and do they offer emergency service?

    Google lists the office as open Monday to Saturday from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM and closed Sunday. The website states no emergency or 24 hour policy, although one reviewer said the owner repaired a storm-damaged downspout before the next round of weather. Call (973) 942-7276, the number on Google, and ask directly about urgent water problems, since the site also shows a second number.

  • Does American A-1 Waterproofing serve Newark, and what warranty does it offer?

    Yes, its service area page names Newark and dozens of other Essex County towns, though the office is in Haledon, about 15 miles away. It states a 25 year transferable warranty against water seepage, with exceptions for prolonged power outages and natural disasters. The site does not mention financing, so ask about payment options and request the warranty wording in writing before work begins.

  • Is American A-1 Waterproofing licensed and insured?

    We checked 0 of 3 credentials against the issuing authority. Verified items carry the date we checked; reported items are what the business told us and we could not independently confirm.

  • What areas does American A-1 Waterproofing serve?

    Newark. Coverage is as the business describes it, cross-checked against where its recent documented work is. Confirm your address before scheduling, particularly at the edge of a service area.

  • Does American A-1 Waterproofing offer emergency service?

    Emergency availability is not listed for this company. If you need an urgent call-out, check the ranking for companies that do list it.

  • What warranty do they offer?

    25 year transferable warranty against water seepage, excluding prolonged power outages and natural disasters.. There are usually two warranties on a job: the manufacturer covers materials, the contractor covers workmanship. Get both in writing and check whether the workmanship coverage transfers if you sell.

  • How was this profile built?

    Credentials come from issuing authorities, ratings from the company's Google Business Profile with the date we read them, and the editorial take from our own review of estimates, warranty documents and public feedback. Anything the business told us is labelled as reported.

  • Can a business pay to improve its profile?

    A business can subscribe to manage its own listing details, and it can buy a labelled sponsored placement. Neither changes a ranking position or the editorial assessment on this page.

Is Something Incorrect?

Business information changes. Tell us about an address, phone, website, service area, credential or ownership change, or let us know if this company has closed.

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How We Rank

About This Business Profile

Last reviewed
October 2026
Profile last updated
November 11, 2026
Google review data updated
October 28, 2026
Sources checked
Issuing authorities, Google Business Profile, Company website
Could not verify
NJ Home Improvement Contractor registration (reported only), insurance
Sponsorship status
No commercial relationship
American A-1 Waterproofing4.8 on Google · Newark, NJVisit Website