Our basement walls have cracks and leaks during bad rain.?

Question

What can I do to fix this problem cheaply and easily, yet looks good enough to sell the house?

Answer 1

If you have a visible crack, and water come through this crack, then you need to repair the crack. I had this problem 20+ yrs ago and repaired it using a recommended product from a Home Depot like store. The product is a two part repair, "mud" and a two part epoxy. First enlarge the crack into a "V" from top to bottom. You will need the kit which may cost about $50, it consists of plastic tees, a "mud" like substance and and epoxy cement. Mount the Tees using the mud and cover the crack with the mud. Space the tees about 12 to 18 inches apart. Sparting at the bottom inject the epoxy until it starts coming out of the tee above where you started. Cap the starting Tee and move to the next tee. Do this until you have finished with all the tee. Let it harden and, no more leaks. I have simplified the process but that is basically what I had done to stop my leaking wall. All the other suggestions are valid, about the pitch of the land and the downspouts. Do all the easy and cheap things first and then decide for yourself what will work best for you. Good luck

Answer 2

There are crack repair specialist throughout the U.S. The crack has to be inspect first but most cracks in foundation walls can be filled with a two part water proof epoxy. This is performed by foundation specialists and can run $100-$300 dollars. Some epoxies are tinted but most are not so aesthetics were not considered when developing this process. The guarantees that go along with this type of repair will help sell your home and give the new owners peace of mind in knowing that the problem was properly addressed. If this is not good enough for them they can always remodel the basement and cover the repaired crack with paneling or drywall.

Answer 3

make sure the ground is pitched away from your house next check to make shore your leaders are directing the rain away from foundation now to the problem first bleach the wallsto kill all mold mildew and just to make shore you have a clean sufase now go get dry lock masonry paint and sealer put it on liberly top to bottom even floor that stuff works great to fix from the out side dig down to the footing clen wall and get foundation coating usually tar coat wall almost to dirt line woorks best if warm tar that isnow take plastic home depot sells 4 mill 20 foot wide by 100 ft long cut 1 piece wrap foundation same as tar and back fill

Answer 4

if your walls leak the grading around your house is sloped too little from the house. sure you can crack seal and paint but when they get a home inspection you're going to look like your covering up... my thought is first make sure your gutters and downspouts are in good shape and the leaders on the downspouts are long enough. before you paint.

Answer 5

the first thing you do is go outside and see if your downspouts are clear and they point away from the house. next check to see if the ground slopes away from the house for the first foot around the foundation. If theres a hole that can fill with water it will seep in. check the gutters to see if theyre blocked up. all this will cost you $0.....

Answer 6

To try sealing it could not be a good and lasting solution, nor it could be effective. i can only recommend that you leave it like that and install a channel drain (enough length) to trap the water and lead it to a pit and pump it out during occurrence. a 2 inch channel drain is available at home depot. good luck!!!

Answer 7

They make special sealant that you can apply to the wall...just like painting it...very simply and I don't believe its too expensive

Answer 8

Ask your hardware store. There are many of paint on products you can buy.