How to seal small basement floor cracks


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Old 01-11-14, 12:37 PM
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How to seal small basement floor cracks

Hello, I have a few cracks near a basement wall that in the winter (the rainy season here in Seattle) get damp (see pic). They don't let in standing water, but if you put a paper towel on it it would come off damp. I might be able to solve this with some drainage improvements, but I'd like to hit it from both the exterior and interior. Any thoughts on the best way to seal these?

Thanks!
 
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Old 01-11-14, 12:53 PM
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It's always best to address the leaks from the exterior! Coatings like Drylok can stop water from migrating thru masonry but they don't always work long term. When water can't migrate thru the masonry, it builds up on the other side and if there is no where else for it to go, it will eventually lift the coating and come thru. It is far better to prevent the water from ever getting to the foundation. Sometimes it can be as simple as piping the downspouts away from the structure.
 
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Old 01-11-14, 02:16 PM
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Regrading outside
Adding a French drain.
Making sure you have working gutters.
The key is prevention, not dealing with it after it's made it's way in.
 
 

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