Can anyone help me out with with a seepy (damp) corner of our basement?
Question:There is a corner in our basement that is slowly seeping water in and we are going to finish our basement. But we need to fix this issue first. It is not a major leak, but if left untreated I fear will get worse in time. Is there any thing we could by from Lowe's, Menards etc. that would act as a sealent? I have already tried Drylock and other similar types of paint. The problem is is that the paint takes to long to dry, so it keeps letting just a little (ity bit) of water in. Just enought to allow the paint not to dry. Is there any other type of water sealent we could by other than Drylock, Watertite etc. Also, since it is just the one corner I don't want to have to pay an outside contracter to do it. Cause they will want to do the whole basement, and we don't need the whole basement done. Thanks to anyone who might be able to help with this issue!
Answers:
Thorite waterplug is a hydrolic cement that when applied to a clean wet surface will grow crystals into the pores of the concrete and will shut of water coming through as you described.
There is also a product called Xypex concentrate that is the same type of product. See their website for local distibutors.
The products comn in plug and concentrate. The plug is used at junctures between walls and floors to form a cove joint, and the concentrate is applied to the wall with a stiff brush and scrubbed onto the wall in a circular motion.
The paint that you have applied will have to be removed and the concrete cleaned to allow this product to work as it should. As long as you do the prep well this stuff will stop your problems. Be sure to apply about 12" past the known leak area to avoid the water simply wicking up around the repaired area.
If you can locate the problem outside and divert the water away from the house do so, but the water table will rise and fall anyway with the weather so I would recommend the added insurance of applying the hydrolic cement.
Good luck to you
Thoroseal - it comes in powder form, has to be mixed, and can be applied to a wet wall.
first check the outside of the house to see where and why the water is coming in , rain gutter, downspout, or
low spot in landscaping. If ground is low, fill it up to keep water from accumulating there.
Do not apply anything over the top of drylok until it is dry. Putting the thoroseal (powder) will not solve your problem. drylok will stop you water, but you have to let it dry first. You biggest problem is on the outside..Fix that first, and I bet you water problem inside will take care of it self. I sell Drylok for a living. www.ugl.com/drylok/
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