How to Repair a Basement Wall Leak

Foundation walls that crack over time can usually be fixed with little effort.

A leak in a basement wall can be frustrating for those who have no building or construction experience. Cracks are often formed from settling foundations, loose soil beneath the foundation and improper construction techniques. In general, cement foundations are supposed to last for many years. If cracks show up and are not given the proper attention, they could lead to bigger problems, causing the cost of repair to drastically increase. Depending on the size and number of cracks, repair costs can range from 30 to several hundreds of dollars.

Things You'll Need

• Water pump
• Wire brush
• Concrete epoxy
• Caulk gun
• Putty knife
• Latex paint or concrete sealant

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Instructions

1. 

   A water pump will keep your basement from flooding too fast.

   Pump out all the water from the basement. If more water is continuing to flow into the basement, continue to pump out the water. Check local restrictions on where you are allowed to dump the water. Allow the basement to dry after the water is drained.

2. Remove any loose debris from around and inside the crack with the wire brush.

3. Apply concrete epoxy with a caulk gun. Squeeze the epoxy deep into the crack and scrape off any excess with a putty knife so the epoxy is flush with the wall. Let the area dry.

4. Apply latex paint or cement sealant to the basement wall to discourage any more leaks.

References

• Dully.com: How to Waterproof Your Basement
• Basement Systems: Basement Learning Center
• Ask the Builder: Concrete Wall Repairs & Concrete Epoxy