How to Find a Leak in a Concrete Floor
Leaky concrete floors or foundations can be patched up with fresh concrete, but you can't fix the problem until you know its extent. While some leaks are visible with the eye -- like large cracks or gouges -- others may not be visible. Concrete cracks naturally over time, and large cracks leaks. Concrete that was not poured properly is more prone to problems than well-poured concrete, but time makes even good concrete floors susceptible to water leakage. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Turn on an overhead light so you can see the concrete floor, or bring a flashlight with you for light.
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Walk back and forth along the floor, looking for cracks or holes that could indicate a leak. Cracks frequently occur near windows or foundation beams, notes home inspector Carson Dunlop. Also inspect the mortar if your concrete is joined to brick, wood or other substances. Mortar can shrink, which causes leakage.
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Look for holes near the side of the concrete where the concrete forms were pulled out. If this space was not properly filled and sealed, it may leak.
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Run water over the floor to see where it goes, if you were not able to identify holes or cracks. Some concrete floors leak because the material was not tamped down properly when it was poured, and some leak because concrete was poured at two different times, creating a weak seam.
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Use masking tape to mark the location of the leak for ease in identifying it later.
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References
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