How Do You Seal Leaking Basement Walls?
Basement leaks are caused by cracks in the concrete wall. Left unrepaired, the water that seeps through the cracks can result in mold, an unpleasant smell and, more seriously, damage to the foundation of the structure. Sealing the cracks is fairly straightforward and inexpensive, but the method to be used depends on the size of the crack. Small cracks, meaning cracks that are less than 1/4 of an inch wide and 1 inch deep, can be filled with caulking, while larger cracks typically require a latex bonding agent and a concrete patch product. Remove any loose concrete from the damaged area with a masonry chisel and a wire brush. Clean the dust and debris from the surface with a hand vacuum. Apply a bead of gray-tinted masonry caulk to the crack with a caulking gun. The crack should be slightly overfilled with the caulk, as the caulk will be smoothed down with a putty knife. Smooth down the caulk with a putty knife to fill the crack. Start the stroke with the putty knife at one end of the c
