How to Clean-Up After a Basement Leak

basement leak
  • 2-4 hours
  • Beginner
  • 75-125
What You'll Need
Polyurethane fill
Cartridges for polyurethane
Crack-seal glue
Peel-off ports
Cartridges for polyurethane
Waterproofing kit
Bucket
Rags
Cleaning solution
What You'll Need
Polyurethane fill
Cartridges for polyurethane
Crack-seal glue
Peel-off ports
Cartridges for polyurethane
Waterproofing kit
Bucket
Rags
Cleaning solution

A basement leak can not only cause damage to the carpeting, walls, and personal possessions, but it may also cause serious mold problems. It’s important to know how to find water leaks in your basement and the best way to clean up after a leak has occurred. Repairing basement leaks is not complicated, but is something that should be done as soon as possible to avoid serious damage. The following 5 steps will help you do so.

Find the Cause

It is difficult to repair something if you don’t have a clue about the cause or location of the source of trouble. Some things that contribute to basement leaks are leaky seams from concrete expansion and contraction, which occurs in areas with extreme temperature changes. Other causes include poor drainage around the foundation, a faulty foundation, heavy rainfall, irrigation or sprinkler pipe problems, and leaking pipes. If basement leakage problems appear to be serious, it would be best for you to hire a professional cleaning crew to do the job.

Clean Your Work Area

Before filling cracks where the leaks have occurred, it is important to clean the area as thoroughly as possible. Use a bucket of water and disinfectant to wipe the area completely. Doing so is crucial so that you can eliminate toxins caused by a build-up of algae and ensure that the area is completely clean. Without this thorough cleaning, polyurethane will not adhere as well to surfaces.

Cover the Cracks

It’s important that you never drill into the cracks in an attempt to fix them, as doing so could cause even more water seepage. Use the crack-seal glue and the peel-off ports to cover each and every crack. Fill the cracks with the cartridges of polyurethane.

The polyurethane forms a foamy like substance and expands up to 30-times, allowing it to fill the cracks. Once the polyurethane completely dries, a water-proof material is produced that will last up to 15 years. After filling the cracks, allow ample time for the foam mixture to completely solidify after it has mixed with water.

Remove Crack-Seal Glue and Peel-Off Ports

Once the polyurethane mixture has thoroughly dried, peel off the crack-seal glue and peel-off ports.

Apply Water-Proofing

Now that you have sealed off the cracks, use the water-proofing kit to keep the cracks dry. You can buy water-proofing kits at your local hardware or building supply store. Follow the manufacturer’s directions for kit usage.