How to Fix Basement Water Problems Yourself

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This video is a followup to a previous video about how to fix basement water problems yourself. It goes over some key issues to look at if you are having water problems. This is not a comprehensive list and is not a replacement for professional advice. This is a list of possible issues for you to consider (and/or try yourself) and are things I did myself to stop my water problems.
First look at where the water is entering. At those locations, assess the slope of the ground and make sure it slopes away from the house. If gutter downspouts are there with no drainage tile, install some drainage tile. If the basement wall is crack grind it out and fill with hydraulic cement. If that doesn't fix the problem dig down and install a French drain system around your foundation.
Below is a link to a video on how to repair a leaky crack in a concrete foundation wall.
• How to Fix a Leaking C...

[@HowtoHacks]

This video is a followup to a previous video about how to fix basement water problems yourself. It goes over some key issues to look at if you are having water problems. This is not a comprehensive list and is not a replacement for professional advice. This is a list of possible issues for you to consider and/or try yourself and are things I did myself to stop my water problems.

[@aliibrahim6974]

Thanks aloooot to you r Smart visual Baghdad

[@solidstatevintage7247]

thank you very much. I will be putting your wisdom to work for me, Again , thanks

[@k1ndachubby]

Awesome general overview. As someone who is going through basement water issues now as a first time home owner this is showing me the light at the end of my water-filled tunnel.

[@HowtoHacks]

Thanks and good luck.

[@Aoekin]

feel the same way haha, especially with an older home mine was built in 1950s

[@user-ju3yv8xj5f]

I have an asshole living behind me so this setup is perfect for me 👍🏻 bless your heart

[@ToolDeals]

I gotta say, just allowing the water to come in and just reroute it once it's in the house to a sump pit is pretty darn brilliant.

[@albertcoral5986]

This video is right on. Gutter, grading, window well covers, internal french drain with a sump pump, and put a shed roof over any concrete that slopes towards the house

[@ryanhochmiller1796]

Super helpful! Detailed, and multiple fixes described. Thanks!

[@gergemall]

Thank you very helpful. Roof and gutters from your last video really helped me. Thank you 😊

[@Aoekin]

This was very helpful, I am going to check my gutters I think that is one of the issues(I do have a proper drainage system that will drain the water out into back slope of my yard) and probably going put up some splash guards. The second one with the blocks I never even thought about this and maybe the reason I am getting water inside my basement, it's basically one area of the whole house. I know they painted it in the past to seal the basement, but I think this is the other issue possibly.

[@hsn3333]

Excellent analysis and solutions, thank you!

[@samston]

You said something that's happening to me. I detected small openings in the dirt and it leads into the basement when it rains. I dig the hole out and clear it, then I full up the little holes with cement.

[@ITSTHISEASY]

As for your crack, I used a product that is squirted in using a standard caulking gun. You clean the crack and then attach inlets to the wall about 6 inches from the bottom to the top. You attach them to the wall with this a two part kinda like glue solution. Then you add this all the way up the crack and around all the inlets making it look like what you have here. Then you start at the bottom inlet attached to the wall and start squirting this solution that moves with the foundation through the inlet until you notice it coming out the one above. Stop squirting from the bottom and cap it and then start squirting from the one above the bottom one. Follow this all the way up the wall capping them as you finish. If there is an exposure outside you as you get up the wall you must use the mixture on the outside of the crack where the crack is exposed if higher than the dirt level. This is to prevent the stuff being squeezed from the caulking gun from just oozing out and down the outside wall. Once you make your way to the top cap the top and let it sit for 24 hours. You will have caps on all of the inlets now starting from the bottom. Then you can just use a hammer and smack off the inlets used for the caulking gun. Now your done. :) If you click on my photo you will go to my TH-cam channel and you can see my video on how I did this. Just wanted to give you some extra info and great job with your design for removing the water.

[@lcmlcm2460]

Nice job, great insight. Thanks ❤

[@freak3dot]

Also, check for wall penetrations for plumbing, HVAC, and wires. Wires should have a drip loop. Use some sort of sealant on all the penetrations. I had to have an HVAC contractor move a line set above grade. Water was coming into the crawl space by following it.
You also want to control humidity. Get a hygrometer and determine if you need a dehumidifier in the basement.

[@HowtoHacks]

All good suggestions.

[@rossicollier8537]

Nice house you have 👍🏻👍🏻

[@randelrobbins1408]

Fantastic!

[@cantcomeupwithausern]

They make a kit to fix cracks using epoxy and drilling holes.. probably would be a better fix than hydraulic cement on basically the surface of that wall. They show it on one of the TOH vids. Also, your problem at you old house was because the original drain tiles were collapsed or clogged.

[@davidbuckley1332]

Hi. We have a renovation n France. The house is about 200 hears old, built on sandstone. There is no underpinniing, the house was just built on the rock. We have dug out the first room and concreted. DPM was laid and 60mm of insulation before concreting. The sitting room has been dug out and a heavy sandbed laid down, DPM and insulation. Due to heavy rain, we now have a lot of water, which was enough to lift the insulation. We are not sure where the rain is coming in. What would you think of doing?

[@HowtoHacks]

Without looking at it in person it’s hard to tell. Water can rise and go right through a concrete floor. Did you install a sump pit? Any drainage or pea gravel under the concrete?

[@stevenkilleen8149]

Mine comes from the floor and was sealed just pushed it all out sump pump my only answer just need a few days of no rain and this coastal flooding not helping

[@davidc977]

I think you covered alot of issues most people have. I have poor slope against the home also have cracks in foundation. I keep using the hydraulic cement from inside but seems to crack again. Do you think I should dig outside and patch up crack from outside? Whats crazy is water coming in behind electric panel wall.. rotting away my wood support board for panel. I don't have sump pump but my issues are more wall water coming in and water just pooling against foundation. Thinking getting a exterior French drain ..what do u think?

[@HowtoHacks]

Sounds like an exterior french drain would help a lot. I would get a contractor to inject epoxy resin into the cracks if hydraulic cement isn’t working as well.

[@davidc977]

@@HowtoHacks tx i think probably best approach too.

[@samston]

You have to stop the water from outside first,otherwise the water will still find a way to get inside the basement. I think you should level off the dirt outside or a crack or hole outside.

[@futbol1972]

My parents live in garage and water is been getting in there cause we also have a negative slope towards the garage . We have concrete with the slope towards garahr . the concrete is about 3 to 4 feet wide. I was wondering if instead of doing what u doing in video I can built a porch all along the garage with a gutter to protect foundation from water? Or should I just open a trench in concrete so water can travel there? If I do trench how far away from garage foundation and do I need to put pipe there (PVC and what size?) And add gravel to it?

[@HowtoHacks]

Without seeing your property it’s hard to tell what I would do. However, a drainage trench in the concrete is probably the way to go because if you have a negative slope the water that doesn’t hit the roof will still continue to run towards the house even with a porch and gutter ( it hits the ground and drains toward the house). Get the water as far away as possible. Using corrugated drain tile off of your trench is fine. Place the drain tile under ground and drain it to a low spot or use a popup drain. There is a lot of different variables that could come into play and a lot of different methods that can be implemented .

[@futbol1972]

@@HowtoHacks so I have to dig until I find footing on foundatiom then add gravel to place corrugated pipe on top of gravel? The pipe has to be about 3-4 inches below footing right? Then cover pipe with gravel? Some people say not to cover pipe with dirt but just add gravel on top? Some people put a barrier and also add sealant to footing? So do I have it about right? One more question, I get confused about how far from foundation to dig trench and about how wide?

[@HowtoHacks]

@@futbol1972 What you’re describing is a French drain. I was under the impression you wanted to put a grated drain in front of your garage door. Installing a French drain around the perimeter of your garage you don’t have to dig below the footing because there is no basement. I would call a professional in your area to get a quote and then pick their brain while they are there to see what they want to do. Then potentially do it yourself if you feel you can.

[@futbol1972]

@@HowtoHacksyea I guess is a French drain around half the perimeter of the garage. Well iam glad I don't have to dig that deep then since is not a basement:)
Been looking at tons of videos and a French system does not look hard, well I guess digging the trench will be the hardest part I guess. I will call a professional lime u said to get more ideas:). But I think I kindda know what to do now. Just dig a French maybe 6 to 8 inches deep and about the same wide then maybe laydown a weed barrier so dirt won't get inside pipe or maybe use gravel under pipe instead of barrier? Then lay down corrugated pipe with holes facing up right or down? Then cover corrugated pipe with more gravel and that's it right? I gotta make sure when iam digging trench that it has a slope for watervto travel or not really?

[@HowtoHacks]

Look up French drain diagram and it will show you what you need to know. You use a fabric barrier around the gravel and the holes do down. Slope the pipe to a dry well, pop-up drain, or out the side of a slope.

[@nasarazam]

At 4:55, shouldn't the V groove the opposite way, wider inside and narrow outside? This way the Hydraulic cement holds its place and does not come out. The way you did, it does not have any grip. Please comment. Thanks for the video

[@HowtoHacks]

If I was using a right angle grinder then I would have done that because it leaves a smoother, clean cut surface so there isn’t as much for the cement to bond to. However, a chiseled surface is rough and irregular which gives a better bond. Also, it’s hard to tell in the video but the opposite sides of the notch are close to parallel for about an inch and then it tapers in. I have done several repairs at different houses doing this and have never had a problem. For what it’s worth the repair in the video was done over 3 years ago and it still looks good and has had no issues. In fact we just got 5 inches of rain and I didn’t see one drop of water in that area.

[@nasarazam]

@@HowtoHacks Thanks much for a detailed and prompt reply

[@1sornram]

Pretty home

[@HowtoHacks]

Thanks

[@tomvarela1846]

Down spout onto storm run offs

[@CoeCanCook]

Quikcrete directions say V-shape groove is poor for holding cement. Needs to be square or much better dovetail shape. Who knows how to cut the dovetail in cement??

[@twagner6155]

I disagree with using pea gravel for a french drain. I put in a new sewer system in my city property and the contractor told me to use clean gravel for all water, sewer or drainage systems. The gravel was about 1"-1 1/2" OD. Clean gravel has all the smaller and larger rocks removed and is white. Smaller rock dust and small rocks don't allow enough space between the rocks for the water to drain quick. He had done excavating his whole life.

[@HowtoHacks]

You’re right. I misspoke in the video.

[@twagner6155]

ok

[@soldier_of_love]

Just come to my house already 😆👍

[@soldier_of_love]

Is it okay just to get french drains inside and not outside?

[@HowtoHacks]

Inside is harder, but yeah. You can always add outside later. Just make sure you have a place to run the water in the outside French drain.

[@soldier_of_love]

@@HowtoHacks thanks. I was asking because I was wondering if the foundation will be okay since water is still coming into crawlspace.

[@HowtoHacks]

@@soldier_of_love is there a reason you only want to do the inside? The outside might be the best place to start.

[@soldier_of_love]

@@HowtoHacks I don't just want to do inside. I was just wondering if the water still gets in from the outside and the French drain catches the water inside wouldn't that still be a bad thing for the water to still be getting through.

[@swtladyjane1]

I am so baffled to how water is pouring into the basement? my basement is finished and water is seeping in under the basement steps through an inside wall that runs from the cellar to the living room??? I assume there's a crack or hole in the wall behind the dry wall at the steps??. The water that comes in is crystal clear not muddy at all?? This is puzzling to me to how it would be coming in through the wall without any mud?? HELP!!! Anyone have suggestions/? I do not have a sub pump my basement is really tiny.... IDK

[@HowtoHacks]

Fist thing to do is check your down spouts and make sure water is being directed as far away as possible. Then look at the grading or slope of the property and make sure it slopes away from the house. Excess groundwater around a foundation will always find a way in. A sump pit should help as it will lower the water level by pumping excess away. It would be worth talking to a contractor about the issue.

[@ETERNl7Y]

These fixes sound like thousands of dollars worth of fixes and im sure that useless homeowners insurance will help with none of it.

[@immDroidz]

Where are you from? Never heard someone pronounce it "ruff" before

[@HowtoHacks]

Indiana

[@cxrbinyt3435]

@@HowtoHacks wow same

[@MaDGriZz78]

I will never finish my basement no matter what it's a matter of time before it will leak again

[@HowtoHacks]

These things can lessen the severity though…

[@ctg18158]

Too much water for a 4" pipe.

[@twagner6155]

I agree, I was a contractor.

[@simmomantua8910]

BaBHhahahahahahahahah

[@simmomantua8910]

To much work for that lolololol my GOD