Look for cracks in your basement walls if water is coming in.
Repairing a leaking basement wall involves making repairs to both the inside and the outside of the wall. Poor drainage that allows water to stand outside your home may cause your basement's foundation to carry water inside. Place splashguards under the downspouts from your home's rain gutters to divert the water away from your home. Typically, a leaking basement wall is caused by a crack in the foundation. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
Inside Repair
1. Locate any cracks in the inside walls of your basement. Wear a dust mask, eye protection and gloves when repairing your basement wall to avoid possible injury.
2. Remove any loose or crumbling material from your basement wall, using your chisel and hammer. Chisel at an angle to undercut the crack. This will lock the patching material in place when it hardens.
3. Vacuum the area to remove all debris and dust. Dampen the area with water by dipping a rag in water and scrubbing the area with your wet rag. This thoroughly cleans your work area. Allow the area to dry.
4. Mix the hydraulic cement in a bucket according to the manufacturer’s directions. Apply the hydraulic cement to the crack in your inside basement foundation, using a pointed trowel. Press the trowel into the crack, slightly overfilling the crack. Level and smooth the patched area with your trowel by rubbing it in a circular motion. As the cement cures, the material expands to ensure a bond. Wash the tools immediately, before the cement cures on them.
Outside Repair
5. Dig a trench several feet deep with your shovel next to the foundation wall where the crack is visible. Pile the dirt onto your tarp and keep it to refill the trench when you finish making your repairs.
6. Scrape the dirt from your foundation wall with a metal trowel. Clean the wall with a stiff-bristle brush and water. Allow the foundation wall to dry thoroughly before moving on to the next step. Do not use a garden hose to drench the wall, because it will take too long for your foundation wall to dry.
7. Chisel the crack as you did on the indoor portion of the crack. Mix your masonry cement in a bucket according to the manufacturer’s directions.
8. Apply the masonry cement to the crack with your trowel, as you did on the indoor portion. Masonry cement bonds to the exterior wall of a home, while hydraulic cement bonds to the interior wall. Extend the masonry cement approximately 6 inches on all sides of the crack, and allow it to dry. Drying time will vary, depending on the cement used. Apply a second coat of masonry cement and allow it to dry.
9. Paint over the outside repaired area, using a foundation sealant and a paintbrush. Cover the entire section of the foundation wall. Allow time to dry. Drying time will vary, depending on the sealant used.
10. Refill your trench with the top soil you saved on the tarp. Add new soil if necessary. You want the soil surface to slope away from your home to prevent future leaks.
Tags: foundation wall, from your, your basement, basement wall, masonry cement, with your
