How Can I Stop My Basement From Leaking?
A leaky basement can become an expensive and frustrating issue. Leaking water into the basement can cause mold and mildew to appear, which can ruin furniture or items stored away in the basement. Leaks into the basement may be caused by cracks in the wall, but unless the underlying reason for the leak is resolved, cracks may continue in the future. Badly installed gutters may cause water to drain too close to the basement walls, causing water to collect and break down the concrete. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Gutter material
- Dirt
- Chisel
- Hammer
- Vacuum
- Hydraulic cement
- Latex gloves
- Trowel
- Caulk remover
- Putty knife
- Caulk
Instructions
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1
Inspect the gutter downspouts on the outside of the home. Measure the downspout and make sure it is extending at least 4 feet from the house.
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2
Raise the soil out side the basement wall 3 to 4 inches to create a slope away from the home. Fill in any sunken areas of soil.
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3
Spread a dropcloth beneath your leaking basement wall.
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4
Chip away any loose concrete from cracks using a chisel and a hammer. Clean out the hole with a vacuum.
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5
Fill the crack with some of the large pieces of concrete broken away from the crack. This give the patch something to hold on to.
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6
In a bucket, mix hydraulic cement and the amount of water specified on the packaging. It should have the consistency of frosting.
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7
Put on latex gloves and pack the hydraulic cement into the hole by hand. Smooth the patch using a trowel.
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8
Check the seals around any windows at the top of the basement walls. Remove old caulk with caulk removal liquid. Squeeze the caulk removal onto the old caulk and let it sit for the recommended time. Scrape away the caulk using a putty knife. Apply new caulk from a caulk tube, smoothing it out with your finger to push it into the joint.
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References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
