How to repair a leaking floor in my basement?

Jamie
by Jamie

We have had a lot of rain the last few weeks. I've started getting water in my basement through the floor, not down any walls. Will Dry Lock work for floors or do I need to do something different

  5 answers
  • Gk Gk on Aug 18, 2018

    There is a Drylock paint made for concrete/garage floors. Not sure if it would work in this situation or not. We have drainage tile installed around our foundation and a sump pump as well. We also have seamless rain gutter and downspouts which move the water well away from the house. Expensive fixes I know. Have you checked with your insurance company? I do not know if home insurance covers that issue but I would sure check into it.

  • Emily Emily on Aug 19, 2018

    This also happens in our old house. I just keep powerful fans close enough to dry it out.

  • William William on Aug 19, 2018

    Drylock won't work. What you have is hydrostatic pressure. When it rains heavy the water table rises above the floor and seeps through it. Perimeter drainage tile (French drain) like Gk suggest is the only solution.

  • Granny Laura Granny Laura on Aug 19, 2018

    We've had this problem too. William is right, it's hydrostatic pressure, water will always find a way in if it can. We had to install French drains in the finished area of our basement (expensive!) which solved it there, but in the unfinished concrete floor area we've used that stuff advertised on TV - Flex Tape and Flex spray. It works but you should wait until the rain has stopped and the area is at least semi-dry to use it. Even though they say it works underwater (which it does) the tape is INCREDIBLY sticky and difficult to work with so I'd wait until things were drier before using it. We used three layers of the clear spray first- let them dry in between coats - right on the spot where the water was coming in. When that was dry, we laid the tape over it. This NOT a permanent solution but it will give you time decide what you want to do in the long run. Good luck.

    p.s. DON'T try to cut the tape with scissors; they pick up the "stickum" and you'll never get it off. Use a box cutter with disposable blades. And wear a mask when using the spray.

  • Jamie Jamie on Aug 19, 2018

    Thanks everyone for the advice. I do have a sump pump and none of the basement is finished