Minor Basement Wall Leak

[dznewz]

I have a minor basement wall leak. The basement is poured concrete, the house is two years old.

There's a hairline crack that begins about 4" below the top of the wall and runs about 8"-12" down on a angle. The crack is visible both on the inside and outside of the wall.

During heavy rain, the crack gets wet on the inside of the wall and creates a dribble of water down the wall. Usually, the dribble doesn't get all the way to the floor -- seems to get absorbed into the concrete before it reaches the floor.

Except for the one minor leak the basement is dry. There are no other leaks.

Does anyone have an suggestions as to a fix?

[suemarkp]

Fix it from the outside. Dig down and expose the crack. Fill it with cement or caulk or concrete waterproofer paint depending on how wide the crack is. Then, cover the whole outside wall where you excavated with some type of asphaultic foundation waterproofer or plastic sheeting.

Then. hope whatever caused the crack doesn't continue, or you'll be doing it again.

Do whatever you want on the inside. The concrete waterproofer paint like product is probably the choice here unless it is so wide it needs cement instead.

[Fischer]

Epoxy would be easier to get into and cover a hairline crack. You need to clean the exterior wall and let it dry or dry it with a hair dryer before applicatioin. After epoxy is set up, then make a large patch with an asphalt base sealer, and while that is wet use a 6 mil poly and press it into the mastic. A better bet if you have access to it, is a piece of ice guard that is used for roofs. That is a self sealing product that will stretch if the crack widens a bit. Make sure that the upper edge is tight against the foundation to keep water from collecting.