Because basement walls are underground, they must be more resistant to moisture than other walls of your home. All exterior walls of your home get wet from time to time, but basement walls constantly sit in moisture created by surrounding soil. If you have a damp interior wall in a basement, this probably is the result of a leak through the wall from the outside. However, you can fix your interior moisture problem from inside the basement. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Find the source of the moisture. Go to the area of the wall where the moisture occurs, and shine a flashlight directly on the wall to look for any cracks or holes.
2. Widen a crack or hole that is narrower than 1/2 inch so that you can fill it properly. Place the tip of a chisel against the wall at one end of the crack, and use a hammer to force the chisel into the space and break away the surrounding cement until the crack is 1/2 inch wide.
3. Mix a batch of cement so that you have enough to fill the hole. Use just enough water in the mix to get a putty-like texture.
4. Take some of the cement putty in your hand, and roll it into a ball that is large enough to fill the hole. Press the putty into hole or crack, and hold the putty in place for five to 10 minutes so that it can set up.
5. Allow the filled holes or cracks in your basement wall to dry. Wait at least 24 hours; depending on the thickness of the filler you applied, it could take longer.
6. Waterproof the basement walls once the concrete has fully dried. Use a paintbrush to apply a waterproof sealer according to the manufacturer's recommendations. Depending on your sealer, you might need to prime or wet the walls before applying.
Tags: basement walls, enough fill, enough fill hole, fill hole, walls your, walls your home, your home
