If your basement is chronically wet, scamming contractors may possibly inform you that they will need to dig out your complete foundation and waterproof it — at a price of anywhere between $5,000 to $15,000. Much more frequently, though, the remedy is easy and costs much less.
Quite a few basement leaks are triggered by such things as overflow from clogged gutters, misrouted downspouts, unsloped land all around the property, or even improperly aimed lawn sprinklers.
Before going to a lot of trouble to repair} it, attempt to decrease the moisture along the foundation by cleaning out your gutters, rerouting the downspouts, repositioning any sprinklers, or packing fresh soil six inches higher against the foundation and sloping it back to level inside of about 3 feet.
Damp walls can also be triggered by higher humidity levels. To check for this, attach a piece of aluminum foil to the foundation wall; if moisture appears on the wall beneath the foil in a day or two, it is just condensation. This is something that you can fix with a dehumidifier.
If water continues to seep in, repair any cracks with hydraulic cement, obtainable at home repair and remodel stores, and apply a good quality waterproof paint such as a Latex Base Drylok Masonry Waterproofer.
