Make Your Wet Basement Dry in a Week

HELP! I Have A Wet Basement

Traditional basement damp-proofing methods do not last and wet basements have become the most frequent complaint of homeowners. What to do?

If your basement is already wet and leaking water, you could hire a waterproofing company to install french drains with a sump pump. Alternatively, the contractor may recommend excavating down to the footers and waterproofing the foundation walls on the outside.

Excellent choices, but these waterproofing solutions are not cheap!

When your basement is leaking enough water to be worried about, a homeowners first move is to call on a local basement waterproofing service. A technician will then recommend waterproofing solutions from the outside, inside, or both. On average, exterior waterproofing will run you north of $15,000. Installing interior perimeter drains with a sump-pump could cost a homeowner up to $11,000. You may be asking yourself, “Could I potentially waterproof a wet basement myself? I am not what one would call a do-it-yourselfer.”

Locate Where the Water is Coming From

The first line of basement waterproofing defense should always be made on the outside and knowing how the water is getting inside:

Outside – Divert rainwater away from the foundation walls by proper grading, gutter maintenance, downspout extensions, window well covers, caulking corners, gaps, and cracks. Apply penetrating sealers to the exterior concrete, brick, pavers, and porous masonry. Simple steps like these can go a long way to achieving a dry basement, but by no means are they the end-all solution.

Inside – Locate the source of water entry inside the basement. Knowing the reason why your basement is leaking can make a do-it-yourself basement waterproofing project surprisingly simple and inexpensive.

How To Waterproof Wet, Leaking, Damp, Foundation Walls

Foundation walls will appear wet or start seeping water only intermittently after heavy rains. You may also notice spots of efflorescence (white “powder” or “whiskers”) on the concrete surface which is a telltale sign of capillary water and water vapor. If this sounds all too familiar, now is the time to act before your wet basement gets worse making repairs much more difficult to do.

If your foundation walls are already damp, allow the concrete to dry out for the best basement waterproofing results. You can speed up the drying time by drilling weeping holes in the bottom of concrete blocks, installing a fan in the basement to improve evaporation, or simply waiting for dry weather. Once the concrete is sufficiently dry, seal the porous concrete foundation walls with RadonSeal Penetrating Concrete Sealer.

Why RadonSeal? RadonSeal is not your average cement waterproofing sealer like those found in big box stores. Waterproofing paints, cementitious coatings, and membrane coatings will eventually loosen, crack, or peel, as they are pushed off by hydrostatic water pressure, trapped water vapor, and efflorescence. It could take a couple of years, but eventually, all waterproofing paints or coatings will fail, requiring another application. A big problem if you have already finished the basement!

RadonSeal is different. Negative side water pressure and efflorescence cannot budge it. Once cured inside the concrete the internal seal is PERMANENT, which is backed by an unmatched limited lifetime Money-Back Warranty. RadonSeal works by penetrating deep into the concrete (up to 4″), chemically reacts with lime and alkalis, expands inside the pores, and cures as a mineral. It waterproofs concrete internally against water seepage, water vapor, and even against radon gas. RadonSeal combines concrete waterproofing, damp-proofing, concrete preservation, and radon mitigation in one sealer!

Sounds too good to be true. What’s the catch? There is none. RadonSeal does not change the appearance or surface profile of the concrete. It does not contain chemical solvents, is non-corrosive, has ZERO VOCs, and can be easily applied using a hand-pump “garden or bug” sprayer.

If you want a painted basement wall, you can always apply waterproofing paint after you have deep-sealed the concrete with RadonSeal. That will protect the waterproofing paint against water, moisture vapor, and efflorescence.

How To Waterproof Damp Concrete Floors

Many homeowners have found out the hard way that paints and coatings alone are just not suitable for concrete floors. Latex-based waterproofing paints are too soft for floors. And if you apply an epoxy or urethane coating, concrete floor paint, or concrete overlay, years of water vapor pressure and efflorescence coming through the concrete will eventually make it fail, crack, or peel.

Seal Your Basement or Garage Floor Against Water Vapor Transmission – The proper method is to deep seal the concrete floor first with RadonSeal Concrete Sealer. RadonSeal provides the permanent waterproofing solution for concrete slabs by stopping capillary water seepage due to hydrostatic pressure or wicking water. It also restricts the inflow of water vapor through the pores. It practically eliminates efflorescence and concrete dusting. RadonSeal does not change the surface appearance or profile, leaving the concrete suitable for paints, adhesives, tiles, flooring, epoxy, and coatings. It is a great primer!

How To Repair A Leaky Concrete Floor Crack – A popular method is to route out the crack 1/4″ wide by 1/2″ deep and fill it with self-leveling caulk or hydraulic cement. But the caulk or hydraulic cement are certain to get loose and you have to route it out again.

Instead, permanently repair the crack using CrackWeld Concrete Floor Repair Kit. It provides a strong, full-depth repair of cracks in concrete slabs, be it hairline or 1/2-inch wide. Stronger than concrete – the crack will not move, get longer, or wider. And there is no need to chase the crack before application.

Foundation Crack Repairs Made Easy

Most homes, both new and old, develop a crack or two in foundation walls. If the cracks aren’t leaking, it is only a matter of time until they do, as the exterior waterproofing coating gradually deteriorates. So, if your basement cracks are not leaking yet, now is the time to repair them to avoid water damage and mold growth.

Repairing cracks yourself may appear to be a daunting task but surprisingly, it is quite easy. RadonSeal DIY Concrete Crack Repair Kits or Professional Kits allow you to repair cracks in poured concrete walls like a pro! You will save $100’s and the repair is permanent!

Waterproofing Stone or Brick Foundations

Many older homes have foundations constructed of limestone, sandstone, or fieldstone. The weak link in these types of foundations is the porous, soft, and crumbling mortar. It provides an easy avenue for water seepage which gets worse and worse as the mortar deteriorates.

Stone Foundations – First remove any loose or crumbling mortar with a wire brush or a wire wheel attachment for an electric drill. If needed, repoint the mortar filling small fissures and separations. Type S mortar is commonly used but a better option would be to use ElastiPoxy Joint & Crack Filler Kit (mixed with sand). Apply LastiSeal Brick & Concrete Sealer to strengthen and waterproof the old mortar.

For limestone and sandstone and foundation walls use RadonSeal. RadonSeal will react inside limestone and sandstone, and strengthen the surface against crumbling and dusting.

Brick Foundations – To properly waterproof clay brick walls (like Chicago brick) use LastiSeal Brick & Masonry Sealer. Like RadonSeal, LastiSeal penetrates deep into porous bricks and mortar but it cures as a plastic. The seal will never peel or crack because it does not form a surface film. It holds back hydrostatic pressure and will also strengthen and harden the bricks and mortar.

Once cured, the waterproofing seal will be practically permanent. There is no similar product compared to LastiSeal sold on the marketplace today!

Do-It-Yourself Solutions that Will Save You $1,000’s

Whether you need to waterproof a new or old basement, damp concrete floor, wet concrete block wall, crawl space, stone foundation, or leaky brick wall, RadonSeal has a long and well-proven history (est. 1997) of providing expert customer service and the most advanced, professional-quality basement repair products on the market. Our line of Waterproofing Sealers, DIY Foundation Crack Repair Kits, Concrete Floor Crack Repair Kits, Mortar & Joint Repair Kits are not only for professionals but also easy enough for use by the average homeowner.

Instead of investing in cookie-cutter waterproofing systems, which may not perform well or for very long, do-it-yourself basement waterproofing can be accomplished with a little know-how and by using the best products for your specific basement leak(s). We guarantee you will get long-lasting results without having to break the bank on expensive waterproofing methods.

We know from over 20-years of experience that basement waterproofing solutions are not always clear-cut! If you have questions about your basement or a particular project please contact a RadonSeal technician for expert advice.

Surprising Solutions That May Save You a Bundle

Leaking Water Pipes – Is your basement leaking or sump pump always running in rain or sunshine? Suspecting a spring under your basement? Call your water company first to have them check it! The water main to your curb box or the pipe to your house may be leaking, particularly if made of plastic. Usually, the serviceman will detect slight hissing in the pipe entering your basement.

Clean the Exterior Footing Drains – Footer drains, which are crucial to relieving the water pressure on your foundation may get clogged by silt or tree roots. If there is access, hire a contractor to clean them using high-pressure water jetting or with an auger snake. Old clay tiles may have collapsed and just a small section may need replacement.

Clean the Floor Drains – Make sure the floor drain is not clogged. Some experts recommend getting the entire drain cleaned by a drain cleaning company on an annual basis. Make sure that the drain has a U-trap filled with water so it does not let in soil gas, water vapor, and radon gas.