Basement Leaks....Still.

**LexTysMommy** · 09-14-2008, 08:11 PM

Background. When I bought this 1930's house 3-4 years ago, we knew the basement leaked. The first year we got a trickle down there, the second year, more, etc etc. They had waterproof paint on the basement walls, and I think its wearing off. I have nothing in my basement but the washer/dryer. But its huge and would love to one day put "something" down there.

Last year I got some estimates to fix the basement. They want to dig around house, fill cracks, and do lots of stuff that I dont know technical terms for. The estimates were ranging from $13,000-17,000!!!!!!

During damp months I run my dehumidifier and empty it every 12 hours, but electric bill goes up about $40 a month if i run it 24/7. It smells moldy if I dont run it, and the bricks are filled with water so its not getting better. I know mold is not good for anyone and really need to get this fixed.

Does anyone have any thoughts on what I should do? get the $13K renovation done? maybe repaint with that special paint? keep running humidifier?

I plan to live here for years to come, so moving is not an option. We also got a discount because of basement when I bought it. But I didnt know what was needed to do to fix and stop this from happening again.

Thanks in advance.

**nodmicks** · 09-14-2008, 08:55 PM

I'll have have dh find out tomorrow what we did our 150+ year old leaks like a running river with. It worked well!

**nodmicks** · 09-15-2008, 09:28 AM

It is called Instant Water Stop it is a hydralic cement~ comes dry~ you mix and us a trowel to apply. It was about $10 for 20 lbs at menards

**Greebo** · 09-15-2008, 09:49 AM

Proper waterproofing of a basement means stopping the water from getting into the foundation walls. Paint on the inside won't stop that, just provide a short term pseudo-fix. Long term, the water proofing treatment where they dig out around the foundation is your safest bet.

**nodmicks** · 09-15-2008, 10:25 AM

Originally Posted by Greebo

Proper waterproofing of a basement means stopping the water from getting into the foundation walls. Paint on the inside won't stop that, just provide a short term pseudo-fix. Long term, the water proofing treatment where they dig out around the foundation is your safest bet.

I agree but did you see the cost? The hydralic cement was suggested to us by a friend who builds. It is not paint. It fills in the cracks as well as recovering the whole basement.
Works great until you have 13K.