The Best Way to Seal Basement Walls

Clean the basement walls by scrubbing them with a stiff brush dunked in hot water with a few squeezes of dishwashing detergent. Clean the walls thoroughly to remove all grime and dirt.

Rake the debris from all cracks in the basement wall with a wire brush. Wipe away dust with a cloth dampened with water.

Fill all cracks below 1/8-inch-wide with a regular waterproof interior filler. Use the supplied dispenser to push the filler into the cracks. Wipe off excess filler with a damp cloth.

Patch all cracks larger than1/8-inch-wide with hydraulic cement or an epoxy or latex-based waterproofing compound. Do this by pushing and spreading the cement or compound into the crack with a pointing trowel. Spread the cement so that it is flush with the wall surface. Again, wipe away excess cement, this time with the edge of the trowel blade and a damp cloth.

Wait for the filler and cement or compound to dry. Check manufacturer's instructions for drying times but this usually takes at least one week.

Pour the waterproof wall sealant into a bucket. Depending on the type of sealant, you may need to dilute the compound with water. Read the manufacturer's usage instructions for details. Mix the sealant thoroughly with a clean spatula or large spoon.

Paint on the waterproof wall sealant with a large paintbrush or a medium nap paint roller. Start from the top of the basement wall and work downwards. For rough textured masonry or brickwork, dab the sealant into rough and uneven areas with a stippling motion. Use protective gloves while using waterproof sealant.