To check the main water line, go outside and see if there is any water pooling around your home. As you do this, check for any leaky joints. Inspect your plumbing system thoroughly starting with its entry into the basement to where it leaves including the sewer line. Once you find the culprit and fix the problem, make sure to use a proper high-quality waterproofing sealer for the basement walls. Foundation issues (addressed separately in this article).It is crucial to presoak with water and thoroughly clean with water post chemical use.Įven though you take the steps to remove and clean the efflorescence evidence, the root of the problem remains: water is entering through the wall from the outside. Use caution when sandblasting as it increases the porous quality of the masonry and should be followed with a waterproofing material.Īn effective conventional chemical cleaner is muriatic acid in a mild solution: one part muriatic acid (hydrochloric acid, HC1) to 12 parts water. There are two options in cleaning efflorescence: sandblasting or chemical cleaners. a path for it to travel to the surface, evaporate, then crystallize.enough moisture in the wall to create a soluble salt solution.water-soluble salts present somewhere in the wall.Three conditions must be present for it to occur: This is a long process, but taking the time to do it properly will pay off when your basement no longer floods.Keep a lookout for cracks as efflorescence is also a sign of danger to structural integrity. To do this, it's recommended to rent a backhoe or a similar machine to quickly dig up and level the yard. You will need to improve the grade of the yard in order to help water flow away from the home. Poor drainage isn't quite as simple to fix, but it is still a problem that most DIYers can tackle.Also, make it a priority to inspect and clean the gutters after a severe storm because debris from nearby trees has likely blown into the gutter system. Simply set and stick to a regular cleaning schedule, so you know that the gutters have been inspected and cleaned at least once per month. Clogged gutters is a relatively easy problem to fix.If cracks have just started to develop then this is a great method for controlling them, but if the foundation has several large cracks, then it's recommended to contact a foundation repair specialist to resolve the problem. You can also use polyurethane caulk, though it isn't as effective. Cracks in the foundation can be patched with hydraulic cement to keep water out of your home.Just keep in mind that if you have never worked on plumbing before, it's a better choice to contact an experienced plumber or technician. Replacing worn out washers can resolve leaks in appliances, and either soldering or compression plumbing fittings can be used to repair leaking pipes. If a pipe is leaking, shut down the main water line to stop the flow of water through the pipe. Locate the leak in the system and shut down the water to the leaking appliance or fixture. Leaking pipes or appliances can often be fixed by a DIYer with plumbing experience.
Continued use of the wastewater system with collapsed or leaking drains is not advised. However, if the drains have collapsed, then you need to contact a plumber immediately to have new drain lines installed.