A wet and leaky basement can lead to long term problems to the homeowner. It's vital to make the needed repairs as soon as possible to avoid further complications and damage to the structure later on. The wetness can come from different things both inside and outside the house. It's best to ask a professional to make the needed assessment and checks for wet basement repair. Some types of work can be done using DIY or do-it-yourself techniques while bigger loads will always do better with a professional contractor. Here are tips on how to dry out the area.

How to Fix Seeping Water

If water seeps through the slab or concrete basement walls, use a concrete sealer to waterproof the space. If water seeps through walls made of clay bricks, use a brick or masonry sealer to keep water out during wet basement repair. If water seeps through the floor of the basement, use concrete sealer as well. Make sure that the pores of the concrete are fully covered. Take time to do a second or third layer until all pores are properly sealed and covered.

Cracks in block walls can be fixed using concrete sealer or epoxy filler with a few parts sand. Cracks in poured concrete walls can be repaired using concrete sealers. There are also crack fix kits that take care of the problem quickly for both hairline and larger cracks. There are cracks on the basement floor, use concrete sealers or floor crack kits. For saw cuts, fill accordingly using flexible epoxy filler. Leaks found in the joints or the portion between the basement walls and floor can be filled using epoxy filler or concrete sealer. Bigger gaps in the joint can be fixed using foam backer rods during wet basement repair. Pipes and drain systems might also have leaks and cracks so fill and seal using fillers.

Move Away from the Structure

One of the best waterproofing Toronto methods is to drive rainwater and melted snow away from the basement or foundation. The soil grading should be fixed so that the slope moves away from the house. The grading should be done all around the foundation. This will mean either taking out soil during wet basement repair or adding more until the right measurements are made. Rain gutters must be well maintained and cleaned. Fix holes to make sure that water does not overflow. The downspouts should also run off a long distance away from the home foundation. Cracks and other imperfections in concrete surfaces around the house like the patio, driveway and plantboxes should be properly filled and covered to keep water from flowing down into the basement.

Look for a Pro

A reputable and reliable contractor that specializes in wet basement repair will be a great way to meet all your objectives without spending so much. There are a number of contractors that will assess and get the proper materials for the job based on the listed damage and imperfections. Get referrals from friends on the best professionals for the job. It's also good to read articles about the different waterproofing basement methods to learn how to do it on your own the next time.