DIY
How to Repair Holes & Cracks Before Waterproofing Your Basement
Preventative maintenance is an important part of home ownership, and taking care of your foundation is no exception! Learn more about preventing water damage through DIY rain gutter repair and review these tips and considerations before tackling a DIY basement waterproofing project.
Every basement, no matter how stable, will eventually need to be repaired. This is especially true for basement crack repairs.
No Cracks
If there are no holes or cracks in the basement walls, you can apply a waterproofing compound directly to the walls.
However, almost all basement leaks are caused by either cracks or holes in the walls or floors that should be repaired before waterproofing is applied.
Hairline Cracks & Small Repair Jobs
You can usually fill hairline cracks with a regular waterproofing mix.
However, cracks larger than 1/8″ should be cleaned out and patched before you apply the waterproof mix.
How to Fill Cracks
If the water is merely seeping through the basement wall, force the mixture of mortar cement into the crack with an ordinary trowel or putty knife. This should correct any leakage problem.
However, if outside pressure is forcing water through the wall, the problem is often extremely difficult to correct.
How to Repair Holes in Concrete
Not sure if your basement requires professional crack injection or waterproofing? EverDry can help! We offer Free Basement Inspections for homeowners.
It’s best to get a professional opinion before you start a repair project, especially when it involves your basement foundation.