I've got a basement wall that's leaking water through a tiny crack when the ground gets super saturated. I've already done some gutter and drainage work, but when the soil is really wet, there's still a small, constant drip from a hairline crack in the wall. While it's not flooding the basement, it does cause some damage. We've got a sump pump running along some walls, but not where the leak is happening. I'm handy with DIY projects and I'm considering a few options: Should I 1) dig around the wall, install drainage tiles, and connect it to the sump pump? 2) fill the crack with epoxy and hope for the best? or 3) look for an easier solution for water reduction beyond grading and gutters? Any suggestions?
5 Answers
Consider using the '5 whys' approach to identify the root cause of the issue. Everything else might just be a temporary solution. Start from understanding why there’s excess water behind that wall.
I would start with option 2. There are specific epoxy products designed for this kind of issue, but you’ll need to grind open the cracks first. After that, you can plan for the full drainage setup.
I’d suggest going with option 2 first—epoxy inject the crack. It’s a budget-friendly fix to test out before committing to a bigger project like option 1.
Yeah, and if the crack has settled, it might just do the trick without becoming a bigger problem.
Definitely consider option 1. Since you're experienced with big DIY projects, this might be the best long-term solution instead of dealing with temporary fixes that won't last.
If you're up for a challenge, I’d go with digging it out completely. Coat the wall, add some gravel and drainage pipe during backfilling, and lead it away from the house to a dry well. Getting a mini-excavator would make it easier!
That makes sense! I want a lasting fix, but I don’t want to dive in right away.