How to Stop a Basement Leak

A basement leak can be very worrying and distressing. Basements used to be a place where we all stick our junk, however these days basements are useful rooms. No matter what you are using your basement for you will need to ensure that it's free from leaks.

Fixing a basement leak is actually very easy as long as you have the right tools and materials available. Make sure that you have all of the right tools available before starting the project to ensure you don't end up wasting any time.

Step 1 - Finding the Leak

The first thing that you need to do is spend time looking for the source of the leak. The leak could be a result of either a broken pipe, or alternatively due to water getting inside the brickwork of your home. Identify the source of the leak so that you will be able to rectify the problem.

If the leak isn't instantly noticeable then you may need to use a damp meter to try and track it down. Take a look from your property from the outside to see if any slates have moved, or there are any cracks in the wall.

Step 2 - Locating the Crack

If the leak is caused by a crack in the wall then you will need to find the location of the crack. This should be fairly easy although sometimes you might find it easier to spot the problem from the outside.

Step 3 - Preparing the Crack

Use a metal scraper to remove any lose material from inside the crack. The wire brush can then be used to thoroughly clean out the crack so that the cement can stick properly. If you fail to clean out the crack sufficiently then the cement won't be able to key to the surface properly.

Step 4 - Filling the Crack

The crack then needs to be filled by using the hydraulic cement, make sure that it is packed into the crack. Use the scraper again to make sure that the cement is level with the wall. Wait until the cement is dry and then fill it using caulking. It's best to use silicone caulking because this will allow the wall to flex slightly when it is drying without cracking.

Step 5 - Sealant

Dry-lock sealant paint can be applied to the wall to resolve the problem. You will first need to wet the wall because most of these paints need a wet surface to work properly. These paints will resist water from trying to force its way through the wall. Although this step is optional it will work very well at protecting your wall from damp and moisture.

Step 6 - Professional Options

There are also various other options which are normally used by professionals. Professionals will normally use an injection of either epoxy or polyurethane. This is where the material is injected directly into the crack. This provides good protection because it fills the entire crack very efficiently. Polyurethane is often used because it is a waterproof material.

Once the wall has been repaired you can then redecorate it safe in the knowledge that the problem is cured and that you won't have to cope with the same situation again.