Having a leak free basement is a huge asset for any homeowner. Your basement is really sort of free extra space in a way. You can use it for storage, turn it into a massive family room, add extra bedrooms and a bath, along with so much more. But that is only if it doesn't leak. A basement wall leak will put a damper on any plans, as well as do a tremendous amount of damage if you are already using the area. So, the key is stopping and repairing a leak as soon as you find it. The good news is that this really is not as difficult as you might first think. Here are some quick tips to follow that will have the leak repaired and your basement ready for use. 1. Is It A Leak... Or Is It More Serious? The first thing you'll want to do is spend a few minutes studying the leak. Is it just a small leak that can be fixed? Or is it a symptom of a more serious water problem that is going to require some basement waterproofing to correct? The key here is to be sure you are going to fix the one and only leak. You certainly don't want to miss another one and think you cured the problem. Take a hammer and chisel and clean out the area where the leak is occurring. Do you see any other problems around it? Are there any cracks in the foundation around the leak? All of this will help you determine if there is more hidden damage. 2. Prepare The Surface Around The Leak The next step is to get the leaking area prepared for repairs. This is pretty simple as you only need to get a wire brush and use it to get out all the dirt, excess mortar and clean it up a bit. 3. Repair The Leak Now it's time to fix the leak. I would recommend using hydraulic cement from DAP. It mixes easily and dries fast. I've used other products without much success. Be sure to read the instructions and don't let it sit too long before applying. The key here is to apply the cement into the hole, as well as all around the surrounding area. Use a small trowel to spread it and smooth it out. Once you have it applied, let it sit and dry out. This will only take a matter of minutes, but give it an hour to be safe. 4. Apply A Waterproof Paint Once the cement is dry you can begin coating the area with a waterproofing paint. You'll find DAP also makes a good paint just for the basement. It's approximately $20-$25 a gallon, but it is well worth the cost. If you have not used a basement waterproofing paint on any of your walls then I would advise painting the entire area with it. Apply 2-3 coats at a minimum and you will be set. 5. Move Things Back In Now that the basement wall leak is fixed you can begin moving things in the basement and using the space. As you can see, repairing a water leak in the basement is not that hard to do. Follow these simple steps and you will have it done in no time flat.
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A basement wall leak is not as difficult to repair as you might think. Here are 5 simple steps you can follow to fix any water leak in your basement and keep it dry.
Next, go to this website on Basement Waterproofing where you will find tips and information on waterproofing your basement and keeping it dry. Waterproofing A Basement
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