How to Repair a Foundation Leak

Repairing a foundation leak is not a hard or an expensive job, but a very important one. If leaks appear in the foundation and left alone without being fixed, major problems might arise in the future. At this point, it is all hard work and money that will be required in fixing the damages. The 2 things you need to take into consideration when dealing with foundation leaks are the cause of the leak and the effect it has over the foundation. Finding the root of the problem is even more important than dealing only with the results of the leak, such as cracks.

Step 1 – Getting to the Root of Your Problem

In most cases, foundation leaks are the result of water getting inside the foundation. Preventing water from reaching the foundation is the best way to avoid foundation leaks. Water gets into the soil and leaks into the foundation by infiltrating the ground near your foundation. Look around for cracks that are moist with water. Walk around outside and pinpoint the area of penetration from the outside.

Step 2 – Prepare the Foundation

Use the shovel to dig around your foundation. Dig 30 centimeters or more around the foundation and shovel some soil against it to create a slope. The sharper the slope, the better.

Step 3 – Applying the Plastic Sheets

Lay down the plastic sheets from your foundation outwards. The slope created earlier will divert the water away from your foundation. Attach the plastic sheets to the foundation with an outdoor adhesive and wait for it to dry. Place soil back over the plastic sheets. It’s recommended to use soil with a high clay content to furthermore prevent water from reaching the foundation.

Step 4 – Dealing with the Cracks

Water infiltration in the foundation leads to leaks and cracks. Go into the basement and look for cracks, then use the wire brush and air pump to clean them. Cracks need to be cleaned of its dirt and debris before they are mended because dirty cracks will not hold its filling well. Materials used in mending cracks will depend on the size of the cracks. You’ll use epoxy resin if the cracks are small or concrete if the cracks are larger. Follow directions for each material and be sure to use the right ratio of resin/concrete and water. Fill in the cracks using resin or concrete and let dry.  

Remember that water has highly corrosive powers, so if you see any big cracks in your foundation, be sure to call a specialist to check out your foundation. Also, if the soil outside your foundation has high water content, you may need to dig up around your foundation and use some insulating materials to keep water away from the foundation.

However, this is only in extreme cases where the water pressure around the foundation is powerful enough to infiltrate the concrete. Inspecting the walls of your basement regularly for cracks and leaks will help you be aware of any problems early on before they get out of hand and help you to take the proper measures before your foundation suffers any serious damage.