Basement wall leaks happen, and if you’re a homeowner you will experience this problem at least once. The problem with these leaks is that they lead to bigger issues, such as mold and mildew growth, and foundation degradation. There are several reasons why these leaks happen, the craftsmanship could have been bad, cracks could have appeared as your home settles, and hydrostatic may have built up outside your walls and forced the water through.
The first step to fixing these problems is to make preventative repairs. Repair any holes or cracks in the foundation walls, small cracks can be repaired with epoxy, larger ones need professional assistance. After repairs are complete, make sure to apply a waterproofing compound to your walls. Make sure to moisten the walls with a spray before applying the mix, and assure that there is no water seeping through the walls when you apply it. Use a stiff brush in circular movements to apply the mix, and fill every pore in the wall in thoroughly where there is a seepage problem. Waterproofing is the most effective, and the most common solution, to these types of leaks.
The issue with leaks in your basement, besides structural degrading, is the propagation of mold spores. When you encounter a leak, you must take action and repair the problem as quickly as possible. Fixing the leak isn’t an easy job, so if you have too much trouble, call water damage experts like DryPatrol. There are several reasons wall leaks occur, either the original workmanship is insufficient, or cracking in floors and walls appeared when the structure settled, or water pressure from the outside environment built up, forcing itself through the walls. To prevent this serious problem, you should practice regular maintenance, including repairing all holes and cracks in a structure, then use a waterproofing compound to ensure your wall is fully leak proof. Hair line cracks can be filled with regular waterproofing mix, while larger cracks need to be cleaned out and patched. Use mortar for filling in cracks or holes in cement. Before filling the cracks, its better to enlarge the cracked area, as this will help the mortar hold to the wall better. Once the crack has been successfully filled with mortar, smooth it out with an ordinary towel and ensure there are no air pockets present. To prevent leaks that occur due to water pressure, its easiest to get professional plumbing done. If you find that pressure is building up, use a weep pipe to divert the force of the water. Once that is done, check for cracks, which will definitely be present due to water pressure. Mortar can be used to patch up any cracks, starting from the top and down to the point where the weep pipe is installed. Once the repairs have been complete, you need to waterproof the wall with a mix. Moisten the walls with spray before applying any mix, and ensure no water is seeping through the wall when you apply it. Use a stiff brush in circular movements to apply the mix, and fill in every pore in the wall thoroughly. Wait for the coating to dry, and spray the area with water and let it set overnight. In the morning, wet the area with water again and apply a second coat of waterproofing paint while the wall is wet. This method will save you and your basement wall from any serious issues. Remember, if a waterproofing job is ever too much to handle, make sure to contact a water damage service, such as DryPatrol.
