A.  The most common cause of basement flood water is a failing or improper gutter system. Water falling on your roof will always try to find its' way to your basement. The "grade" conditions around the property are the next most common problem. To prevent further damages to the walls and floors, it is important to identify the source(s) before making any repairs. Minor water seepage water that flows in through cracks and holes around your foundation can be addressed easily from the inside. Basement flooding can not be cured from the inside. Your first priority is to create an efficient water path away from the basement via gutters, and/or grade renovations. If this can not be accomplished a waterproofing system can be installed to pump water out of your basement as it enters using a stone drain and sump pump system. An expert waterproofer should be called into the situation before trying this.

Minor Seepage
        To control minor seepage, a masonry sealer and paint is usually good enough. If you have frequent seepage, seal the openings, then resurface the walls with a concrete coating (see below). If seepage continues, contact a foundation specialist to help you.

        Waterproof masonry sealer can come in a variety of products. Some are sold in powder form and contain cement. These products must be mixed with water and applied to damp walls. Others are liquid and ready to use. Start by cleaning the surface with a wire brush, then rinse the walls clean with water and a sponge. Apply sealer to damp walls with a stiff-bristled paintbrush, making sure to cover the surface completely. After that coat dries, apply another coat, making sure the sealer coverage is even and complete

Concrete Coating -
        Preparation is Important. To protect walls with a concrete/cement coating, you should fill any cracks or holes bigger than 1/8". For sealing small holes and cracks, try using a latex masonry caulk first. For bigger holes, use a latex bonding agent and a concrete patch product to make the repair. For bigger cracks, use a pourable crack filler or fortified patching cement.
Remove loose masonry from the crack with a masonry chisel and a wire brush and clean all dust and debris. (a hand vacuum works best).

 

Concrete Coating -
        Mix your surface coating by combining 1 part cement with 2 1/2 parts moist, loose mortar sand. Add water until it looks like a stiff plaster. Before applying, scrub walls with a wire brush and rinse with water and a sponge. While walls are still wet, apply a one-quarter inch thick coating of the mixture to the walls with a trowel. Let it dry a little, then scratch the surface with the teeth on a paint roller cleaning tool. After 24 hours, apply a second coat. Wait another 24 hours then mist the wall with water twice a day for three days.

B.  Basement foundation cracks are always a concern. Large fractures and cracks that continue to expand over time are signs of a major structural problem. To figure if a foundation crack is stable, you have to monitor it over the course of several months, mostly over the fall and spring seasons. Draw marks across the crack at different points, noting length as well as its width at the widest gaps. If the crack moves more than 1/16", consult a building engineer or foundation specialist.

To repair a stable crack, use a cold chisel to widen it. Make a backward-angled cut, called a "keyhole" cut that's wider at the base than the surface and no more than ½" deep. Clean out the crack with a wire brush.
        Fill the crack with expanding insulating foam to help seal against moisture. Mix hydraulic cement according to manufacturer's instructions, then trowel it into the crack, working from bottom to top. Apply cement in layers no more than ½" thick, until the patch is slightly higher than surrounding area. Lightly go over cement with trowel until it's even with the surface and let it dry thoroughly.

C.  Basement moisture and dampness are commonly caused by a lack of fresh air. Condensation usually occurs in more often in the summer months because the air has more moisture in it and it condenses on the cooler foundation walls. Another cause can be from an improperly vented clothes dryer. Check and adjust the dryer vent connection for an efficient flow to the outside. In most cases a dehumidifier is the only sure way to get rid of condensation.

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