2006-10-02 01:51:15 · 11 answers · asked by skeeter 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
First assess the basement walls....Is it a new basement? Older home? If you can actually see the cracks...and if they are small I have taken Silicone Caulking and sprayed it inside the holes. The painted the walls with "Killzit". It keeps mold and water out. If it is a big crack then some of the above remedies that these guys have used would apply. Make sure the outside has proper drainage and that your gutters are working properly also. If your guttering is bad then the water will accumulate and create a pool to seep through the walls. These are quick fixes in case the water can actually be eliminated on the outside before it becomes a problem leaking inside the basement.
2006-10-02 02:03:00 · answer #1 · answered by chatterella 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is not uncommon to have water in the basement but be prepared for a major job. Sealing from inside will not do it.
Dig around, pour gravel, lay weeping tiles, spray outside walls with sealants, - usually tar - place Styrofoam (a special variety made just for this purpose) and then seal inside. Use a dehumidifier to get rid of the inside stale air and moisture.
We are talking about a week worth of job - messy and it will set you back by about $6000.
Treat the cause not the symptoms.
2006-10-02 02:02:56 · answer #2 · answered by Nightrider 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go to the hardware store or possibly a paint store, ask for concrete sealant. There is a type that actually holds water out of cinder blocks. Paint the basement walls and the floor if it's concrete. Apply as many coats as directed.
Also there are water / humidity absorbing bags take can be hung from the ceiling that will absorb ambient moisture in the air.
As far as smell try Fabreeze or possibly products with lava rock in them, these absorb odors.
Do what alanc suggests too. Good advice.
2006-10-02 01:56:48 · answer #3 · answered by roamin70 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Thompson's Water Seal for the walls. A dehumidifier in the corner. A few open bags of charcoal placed around will absorb some of the smell.
2006-10-02 01:55:19 · answer #4 · answered by catherine02116 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
sealing from the inside, pumps and "french drains" are mostly scams. You need to treat the cause, not the symptom. Its a big job..you need to have a trench dug in front of the house, the foundation sealed from the outside, (Usually with tar) and a proper drainage installed. Just did mine, ..cost $5000
2006-10-02 01:56:41 · answer #5 · answered by alanc_59 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You must start by directing water away from house by having good and well functioning gutters and leaders. I have used "thoro-seal{a waterproofing paint} on clean walls to prevent seepage. If it comes through the floors then a french drain system helps. Good luck.
2006-10-02 01:57:22 · answer #6 · answered by samssculptures 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sealing won't help much, you should make sure you have proper drainage around the house in the first place.
2006-10-02 01:57:38 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
First you have to dry it out completely; dehumidifier, hair dryer to the walls. Then apply a product called Drylock
http://www.ugl.com/DRYLOKframes02.html
It works well.
2006-10-02 01:56:17 · answer #8 · answered by cormelmat 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Gutters and downspouts are a must, water won't come in if its not there. Must have proper drainage -
2006-10-02 02:10:08 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have to agree with. alanc_59 .thats the right way to do it and yep it's a big job ..... happy digging ..
2006-10-02 02:09:37 · answer #10 · answered by kbhr57 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋