How to Fix a Leaky Basement

• By Lynda Lyday
• Dec 16, 2005
• Sample Chapter is provided courtesy of Que

This chapter is from the book
Homeowner's Manual, The

Landscaping/Grading

Sometimes the easiest fix is to properly slope your yard so that the water isn’t puddling against your house (see Figure 3.3). Where you have puddling in your yard, you will need to fill it up with soil to help channel the water away from the house.

Figure 3.3 Improper grading that slopes toward a home needs to be removed and filled.

Check your patios, driveways, and paths. Again, they need to slope away from the house. You may need to check with a landscaper or a contractor to take a look at a patio or driveway that is not sloped properly. Depending on the integrity of your patio or driveway, you can apply a new layer of mortar, brick, or flagstone on the old slab.

Look where your driveway or patio meets your home. The sealant can crack over time due to extreme weather conditions or age. Remove the old sealant and replace it with new.