# Water Leakage in Basement **URL:** \ **Category:** General Inspection Discussion\ **Created:** [April 11, 2021, 10:55pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/water-leakage-in-basement/196518 "2021-04-11T22:55:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![jtran8](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/jtran8/32/180196_2.png) [@jtran8](https://forum.nachi.org/u/jtran8)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2021, 10:55pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/water-leakage-in-basement/196518/1 "2021-04-11T22:55:52Z")
Hi All, I had submitted a separate post about cracks in my basement floor, and wanted to thank all the responses I received. I also decided to do a post home inspection for a piece of mind as well as checking other items in the house. Today, we had heavy rain fall in Ontario, and I noticed a small leak in the basement shown here: [Basement Water Leak after heavy rainfall - Album on Imgur](https://imgur.com/gallery/FRlLkT0) This is the only leak out of my entire basement, and although it looks relatively minor, I’m wondering what’s the proper way to address this? I’m looking to renovate my basement, but I want to make sure I resolve all the water leaks before finishing it. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![lkage](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/lkage/32/347658_2.png) [@lkage](https://forum.nachi.org/u/lkage)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2021, 11:03pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/water-leakage-in-basement/196518/2 "2021-04-11T23:03:36Z")
> [@jtran8](#): > > Today, we had heavy rain fall in Ontario, and I noticed a small leak in the basement shown here: [Basement Water Leak after heavy rainfall - Album on Imgur](https://imgur.com/gallery/FRlLkT0) > > This is the only leak out of my entire basement, and although it looks relatively minor, **I’m wondering what’s the proper way to address this?** I’m looking to renovate my basement, but I want to make sure I resolve all the water leaks before finishing it. Correct the leak from the outside where the water is most likely coming from. Stay away from the people that want to re-direct the water from the inside. Include your phone number here and Mark Anderso will see it or someone may direct your phone number to him. He is THE expert in keeping water out and may talk to you . ---
**Author:** ![jtran8](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/jtran8/32/180196_2.png) [@jtran8](https://forum.nachi.org/u/jtran8)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2021, 11:58pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/water-leakage-in-basement/196518/3 "2021-04-11T23:58:17Z")
Hi Larry, thanks for the quick response. Is Mark in Toronto or is there a way to privately reach out? I haven’t started looking for contractors just yet. Just want to know what I’m dealing with first. ---
**Author:** ![srechkin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/srechkin/32/180448_2.png) [@srechkin](https://forum.nachi.org/u/srechkin)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2021, 12:18am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/water-leakage-in-basement/196518/4 "2021-04-12T00:18:43Z")
A crack in the foundation wall will allow rainwater to enter the basement. Waterproofing of the exterior is required. ---
**Author:** ![jtran8](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/jtran8/32/180196_2.png) [@jtran8](https://forum.nachi.org/u/jtran8)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2021, 12:45am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/water-leakage-in-basement/196518/5 "2021-04-12T00:45:39Z")
Thanks Guys - Will look for a waterproofing contractor. ---
**Author:** ![lkage](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/lkage/32/347658_2.png) [@lkage](https://forum.nachi.org/u/lkage)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2021, 1:13am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/water-leakage-in-basement/196518/6 "2021-04-12T01:13:10Z")
> [@jtran8](#): > > Hi Larry, thanks for the quick response. Is Mark in Toronto or is there a way to privately reach out? I haven’t started looking for contractors just yet. Just want to know what I’m dealing with first No, Mark Anderson is not in Toronto. But, he may be helpful on the phone to you. ---
**Author:** ![mcusano](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/mcusano/32/214076_2.png) [@mcusano](https://forum.nachi.org/u/mcusano)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2021, 1:25am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/water-leakage-in-basement/196518/7 "2021-04-12T01:25:40Z")
The key takeaway here is divert water on the exterior and waterproof the exterior oof foundation walls only. Like Larry stated @manderson7 is the best and has posted plenty of videos pertaining to this issue. Just remember if anyone suggests Dry-Lok as a solution remove them from your life immediately! Good luck with your remediation 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![jjonas](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/jjonas/32/301755_2.png) [@jjonas](https://forum.nachi.org/u/jjonas)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2021, 1:32am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/water-leakage-in-basement/196518/8 "2021-04-12T01:32:21Z")
> [@srechkin](#): > > Waterproofing of the exterior is required. **Repair of the cracking** prior to applying the waterproofing is mandatory!! ---
**Author:** ![mcusano](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/mcusano/32/214076_2.png) [@mcusano](https://forum.nachi.org/u/mcusano)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2021, 1:36am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/water-leakage-in-basement/196518/9 "2021-04-12T01:36:37Z")
It’s imperative that the foundation be excavated first, prior to crack repair and waterproofing! Since we are splitting hairs 😆 ---
**Author:** ![jjonas](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/jjonas/32/301755_2.png) [@jjonas](https://forum.nachi.org/u/jjonas)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2021, 1:40am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/water-leakage-in-basement/196518/10 "2021-04-12T01:40:09Z")
NEVER assume a contractor will do the right thing!! I have seen what some contractors consider waterproofing, and the shit they DO NOT do that any professional would never consider NOT doing!! ---
**Author:** ![mcusano](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/mcusano/32/214076_2.png) [@mcusano](https://forum.nachi.org/u/mcusano)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2021, 1:41am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/water-leakage-in-basement/196518/11 "2021-04-12T01:41:14Z")
Now that’s something we can all agree on. ---
**Author:** ![jjonas](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/jjonas/32/301755_2.png) [@jjonas](https://forum.nachi.org/u/jjonas)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2021, 1:44am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/water-leakage-in-basement/196518/12 "2021-04-12T01:44:39Z")
I’m assuming the OP is **NOT** an HI or Contractor, but a homeowner looking for help. We need to make sure we give full details as he will likely only know what we tell him, to avoid getting ‘taken’ by the lowlife scammers in the waterproofing industry! ---
**Author:** ![lkage](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/lkage/32/347658_2.png) [@lkage](https://forum.nachi.org/u/lkage)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2021, 1:44am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/water-leakage-in-basement/196518/13 "2021-04-12T01:44:50Z")
> [@jtran8](#): > > Today, we had heavy rain fall in Ontario, and I noticed a small leak in the basement shown here: [Basement Water Leak after heavy rainfall - Album on Imgur](https://imgur.com/gallery/FRlLkT0) Jeff, the plastic on the inside of the batt insulation and the batt insulation should removed. That small amount of water may be condensation because the moisture build up between the basement concrete wall and the plastic has no where to dry out to…it just builds up due to the dew point and cannot dry to the inside with the plastic there. Really one should attach rigid foil faced insulation 4’x8’ sheets directly to the concrete basement wall and add wall covering to that with NO vapor barrier before the wall covering, in a basement. ---
**Author:** ![mcusano](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/mcusano/32/214076_2.png) [@mcusano](https://forum.nachi.org/u/mcusano)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2021, 2:08am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/water-leakage-in-basement/196518/14 "2021-04-12T02:08:49Z")
Jeff, this is a good detail to understand a proper foundation system. If a crack or seam is the appearant cause of infiltration then the detail should provide good insight on how the system should be, beyond repairing the crack itself. ![e10ab3bbbe58919cd1373d92fb273438](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/5/e/5e154195181c4164329f33cd3073ffb0e29dc466.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![jtran8](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/jtran8/32/180196_2.png) [@jtran8](https://forum.nachi.org/u/jtran8)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2021, 2:11am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/water-leakage-in-basement/196518/15 "2021-04-12T02:11:56Z")
That’s correct - Just wanted to get a general sense of what needs to be done before I went out looking for a water proofing contractor. Thanks ---
**Author:** ![lkage](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/lkage/32/347658_2.png) [@lkage](https://forum.nachi.org/u/lkage)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2021, 2:18am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/water-leakage-in-basement/196518/16 "2021-04-12T02:18:34Z")
> [@lkage](#): > > Jeff, the plastic on the inside of the batt insulation and the batt insulation should removed. That small amount of water may be condensation because the moisture build up between the basement concrete wall and the plastic has no where to dry out to…it just builds up due to the dew point and cannot dry to the inside with the plastic there. > > Really one should attach rigid foil faced insulation 4’x8’ sheets directly to the concrete basement wall and add wall covering to that with NO vapor barrier before the wall covering, in a basement > [@mcusano](#): > > Jeff, this is a good detail to understand a proper foundation system. If a crack or seam is the appearant cause of infiltration then the detail should provide good insight on how the system should be, beyond repairing the crack itself. > > ![e10ab3bbbe58919cd1373d92fb273438](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/5/e/5e154195181c4164329f33cd3073ffb0e29dc466.jpeg) Now you have two choices. ---
**Author:** ![jtran8](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/jtran8/32/180196_2.png) [@jtran8](https://forum.nachi.org/u/jtran8)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2021, 2:20am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/water-leakage-in-basement/196518/17 "2021-04-12T02:20:17Z")
Larry, thanks for the comment. That’s a good point; the previous owner left many holes in the vapor barrier however (the photo didn’t do a good job capturing it), so it may not be a condensation. Definitely worth a look though. ---
**Author:** ![jtran8](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/jtran8/32/180196_2.png) [@jtran8](https://forum.nachi.org/u/jtran8)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2021, 2:27am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/water-leakage-in-basement/196518/18 "2021-04-12T02:27:29Z")
Thanks Michael, Looking at this detail, it doesn’t look my my foundation wall follows this. I don’t see the insulation 8" above grade, nor do I have a waterproof membrane (at least from what I can tell). Here is a photo of the area in question on the exterior: [https://i.imgur.com/zy974Wi.jpg](https://i.imgur.com/zy974Wi.jpg) On a separate note, the leak looks like it’s in the vicinity where the AC unit is…this is going to be a pain in the ass to excavate. ---
**Author:** ![jjonas](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/jjonas/32/301755_2.png) [@jjonas](https://forum.nachi.org/u/jjonas)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2021, 2:35am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/water-leakage-in-basement/196518/19 "2021-04-12T02:35:07Z")
> [@jtran8](#): > > nor do I have a waterproof membrane Most likely you have “Damp proofing” and not “Waterproofing”. Huge difference!! > **[Damp Proofing vs. Waterproofing: What is Damp Proofing? - Concrete Network](https://www.concretenetwork.com/foundation-waterproofing-drainage/dampproofing.html#:~:text=Dampproofing%20is%20intended%20to%20keep,both%20moisture%20and%20liquid%20water.&text=Waterproofing%20is%20only%20required%20by,conditions%20are%20known%20to%20exist.%22)** > > When to waterproof and when to damp proof a foundation. Dampproofing is intended to keep out soil moisture while waterproofing keeps out both moisture and liquid water. > **[Cementitious Waterproofing Advantages & Disadvantages - Concrete Network](https://www.concretenetwork.com/concrete/waterproofing_concrete_foundations/cementitious_waterproofing.htm)** > > There are many below-grade foundation waterproofing products on the market. Compare cementitious waterproofing, liquid and sheet membranes, and bentonite panels. ---
**Author:** ![wbernauer](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/wbernauer/32/304389_2.png) [@wbernauer](https://forum.nachi.org/u/wbernauer)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2021, 2:36am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/water-leakage-in-basement/196518/20 "2021-04-12T02:36:26Z")
> [@jtran8](#): > > this is going to be a pain in the ass to excavate. Yeah that’s going to suck. Big time! [Next page](https://forum.nachi.org/t/water-leakage-in-basement/196518.md?page=2)