How to Stop Water Leaks In Your Basement With Hydraulic Cement

Thank you. 25 years ago I used a product called Thoroseal can in a metal 5 gallon pail. Follow instructions on can and applied with a masonry 5 inch brush. One can only do 2 foot at a time since the product dries fast. I was able to do a wall in basement the length of the home and the outside wall of May garage when I was 40. I’m now 67 and it needs to be redone again in spots so I stain by this product. It is also mixed with Acryl 60 Cement Addtv Gl. Follow instructions. It last all those years. It prevented water entering my basement. It works. Thank you sir.

All the comments on videos like these are entertaining. Most the negative comments or the ones saying don't do things like this are not necessarily wrong either....But the issue is this..IMO...to properly dry your basement......The only correct way.....especially an old house that has zero modern waterproofing done during construction its construction....Is insanely expensive. Because here is the only way to do it right. Period.....no other option. Step 1] Dig completely around your house down to the top of your footing....All the way around.. Step 2] clean the surface of the basement walls completely. Step 3] patch/repair all cracks, holes etc....as well as seal up penetrations that have to be there. Utility lines, drainage piping etc. Step 4] apply a liquid water proof membrane. [Argue amongst yourselves on what type/brand is best] Step 5] install the dimpled plastic sheeting system over the membrane . Step 6] install weep drainage system around entire perimeter of your footing...at the footer level. Tie all your downspouts into this weep system. Backfill with stone [argue how much stone amongst yourselves] I believe you backfill up to a foot to 2' below finish grade with stone. Step 7] finish backfilling with topsoil and make sure all of your yard around your house to at least 10-15' away from your house drains away from your house. All of it. Step 8] seed and straw all the work and replace all landscaping etc that was destroyed, due to this work. Step 9] (trigger warning for all the hard-core exterior only waterproofing guys) For added security and last line of defense....cut a trench around the entire interior perimeter of your basement floor install a weep tile drain system that runs to an interior sump pump. Install pump, backfill and repour all concrete....... Price that out and let me know how crazy this guy is for doing what's he doing......10's of thousands of dollars, in most cases, to do it right. Soooo if your not going to, or can't, do it "right".....find the most affordable and least labor intensive option that works for your situation and tell the trolls to huuuussssshhhhhh

I just finished watching 15 different videos on how to fill and seal cracks!!! Yours was the best by far!!!! Thanks

Years ago, I was working on a new construction project, an old age home. Boss said the elevator shaft was leaking. It certainly was! Water was constantly trickling in. My buddy and I spent a week patching and patching with hydraulic cement. It was a complete waste of time. I told the boss we could stay there as long as he liked but the only way to stop that water was to dig up the outside and properly waterproof the concrete. That's what they eventually had to do. We cleaned the outside of the 'crete, the painter came in and coated it with a layer of black waterproofing material and we installed a drainage system along the footer. Hydraulic cement only works for minor seepage like you had there.

you also have to fix the holes from outside otherwise water will still come in the basement. I mix some cement with bonding agent and fill the little holes outside the basement. you can also pour some watery cement down the holes so tit can dry in the pathway that lead to the basement.

This is the best use. I was struggling with this, but you showed the actual mixing and use. Helped a lot.

As you mentioned rain water management is very important. It is must for the grounds to slope away from the building. It’s also a good idea that the downspouts go a few feet away from the building. Like those foldable bottom pieces, that you fold up when mowing the lawn.

Always amazes me fixing basement leaks from the inside lol

Great demo! Exactly what I needed to see. Thank you!

Good video. I learned a couple things just in time as I work on my own basement.

This product is awesome. My dad showed me when helping me on a 133 yr old house I had to update. But as pointed out you still want to address the root of the problem. Wherever possibly keep water away from your foundation when dealing with basements/foundations. French drains, gutter extensions, sub pump etc

Thank you for this, it gave me the confidence (as a complete novice) to try to tackle my own water issues in my stupid basement lol.

I have used this product in one part of my basement and it fixed that leak. We had some heavy rains a week ago and another section had a big leak. Looks like where the utilities enter, maybe a seal, or maybe a crack I can't see. I put big totes out there to catch the rain the past 2 times and no leak. Yep... lack of gutters are my issue, too! In the meantime, I am dehumifying to dry it out then I'll get down there and do some more patch work. If anyone has used the injection gel for large wall cracks and can vouch it works (or one to stay away from), would live to know. After I get gutters, that's my next project.

Thank you for this video! Now I feel much more confident in my diy basement project.

THANK YOU. 🙏 I appreciate you sharing. Seeing it done overcomes the fear.

I used this on a basement job I did a few years ago.. stuff is pretty amazing.

Thank you, for the info. Thank you also to the viewers in the comment section all information was a great help for me!

I use this stuff all the time. Got to work in small batches, prepare what you will do ahead of time and work fast. This stuff dries really hard and works excellent. I find a moist sponge works great after you lay it in to make things nice and smooth.

Really appreciate all your presentations. A lot of great subjects, many of which apply to what I have to deal with. Great job!

Thank you just brought a home and I needed this