Right Way to Fix Leaks in Your Basement

Hundreds of Americans are dreaming of owning their own home. Right now they might be renting an apartment or another home and are restricted to doing things the way that the landlord wants them. They feel constricted and like they are not able to truly decorate it or make it their own. Owning a home of their very own is liberating and allows you to make the decision without having to consult with someone else.

Those of you who own homes understand this feeling – but can attest that there are certain negatives to owning a home. The biggest one is the facts that the responsibility to find someone to fix repairs and to pay for those repairs no longer falls to someone else. That is all on your shoulder and the costs can sometimes be high.

One of the biggest problems that older homes and a few newer homes can have is a basement that leaks through the floors and sometimes the walls. This problem can cause serious water damage and can be a place for fungus and mold to grow unhindered if it is not taken care of fast and efficiently.

The good thing is this very big problem can be fixed – but it requires the right tools and patience. If you want to save yourself some money you can fix the leak yourself. If done right you will save yourself from hiring a professional – which can cost hundreds of dollars.

One of the first things that you will need to do is to find where the leak is coming from. Most likely it will be coming from your basement floor – but it is possible for the walls to have a few problems. Once you have found all of the holes you must patch them up and seal them completely.

Once you have finished all of the patching it is time to apply the waterproof mix. There are many types of basement floor waterproofing mixes. Most of them will only require that you add water before placing it in the designated area. Just make sure that you follow the directions carefully.

Depending on what mix you chose you, will either have to spray down the floors and walls with water or keep them completely dry. Some mixes cannot be applied to walls that have been painted. If this is the case you will need to sand down the paint before applying the mix.

Apply the basement floor waterproofing mix onto the designated area using a stiff brush. Rub it in a circular motion over the wall or floor. You only need to apply the mix to the area that has been leaking. It is important to go out to the edges and only a few inches beyond to ensure that it is properly sealed – but not too far. Once the mix has completely dried and not able to rub off soak it with water and let it set overnight. You may have to apply the mix more than once.