How to Stop a Basement From Weeping

When you have a below-grade room like a basement, water seepage is a common problem. Left untreated, this moisture can lead to the buildup of harmful mold. Before you can seal off the walls to waterproof them, you need to address the cause of the moisture problem. Although some seepage occurs naturally with masonry walls, excessive moisture can be linked to poor landscape grading and/or water routing issues. Cracked foundations can also cause excessive basement weeping. If the walls are severely cracked or if you have water pouring into your basement, call in a foundation specialist to fix the problem. If water pools by your house when it rains or the dirt around the foundation has eroded, call in a professional landscaper. Once these fixes are complete, you can repair simple cracks and waterproof the basement.

Things You'll Need

• Chisel
• Waterproofing mix
• Trowel
• Waterproofing sealant
• Paint roller
• Paintbrush

Show More

Instructions

1. • 1

     Remove any debris the cracks with a chisel. Scrape the debris away until the edges of the crack are clean.

   • 2

     Fill in the cracks with waterproofing mix, which creates a mortar-like bond with the wall. Smooth the mix on with a trowel, and scrape off the excess with the edge of the trowel. Let it set until it is hard to the touch. This typically takes up to eight hours, depending on the product used.

   • 3

     Apply the sealant to the wall with a paint roller. You may need a paintbrush to get into ridges and uneven areas. Let the first coat dry for six to eight hours.

   • 4

     Apply a second coat of sealant to the wall. This second coat helps fill in any areas that you may have missed with your first coat.