A wet basement can be one of the worst things in the world. Not only does the dampness prevent you from using your basement, but it can also cause serious damage to the entire house. However, sealing away the moisture from the basement is a simple process that will eliminate the moisture and any accompanying problems. This project will take anywhere from one weekend to several days to complete. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Find the cause of the leak. The water could be leaking from the floor of the basement, through cracks in the basement walls or the foundation, the water also could be coming in from rain or snow outside.
2. Stop any leaks. Make sure your rain gutters are draining at least 5 to 6 feet away from the house. This will prevent any water leaking into the basement due to rain or snow. For houses with no slope away from the house, dig a trench 2 to 3 feet deep and 12 to 18 inches wide. Angle the trench so that it gets deeper the farther it is from the house. Make the trench about 10 to 20 feet long. At the end of the trench dig a hole 3 to 4 times larger than your drain barrel. Place the barrel inside the hole and attach the pipe to the barrel on one end and the rain gutter on the other. Place the rocks around the hole until it is full. Cover the trench and barrel with the remaining dirt.
3. Use a hydraulic cement sealer inside on any cracks in the walls or foundation. Mix up some dry solution with water and place inside cracks with a putty knife. Allow to dry for 24 hours before proceeding.
4. Clean out the inside of the basement. Remove all furniture, carpeting and any other objects inside the basement. Clean the walls using a solution of warm soapy water. Gently wash away all dirt and cobwebs. Sweep any dirt away from the floor with a broom. Thoroughly mop the floor until clean. Allow to dry for several hours before proceeding.
5. Apply a sealer using a large paint brush. Start by sealing all of the walls. Once the sealer has been applied to the walls, paint the sealer onto the floor. Apply two coats for the best coverage. Allow to dry for 48 hours before replacing any items back in the basement. The basement is now sealed.
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