Hello Everyone!
My husband and I have been reading thru all of the posts here this evening and let me tell you...this is the most help we have found regarding leaky basements yet!!! However, we still have a few questions.

Our situation: We bought our home about 2 yrs ago and about 1 yr ago notice water coming in the basement. We have poured concrete walls. This was in a partially finished section of the basement. we took out the drywall to find a rather large crack that formed a slight arch extending about 25 feet across and down the wall. (It begins at the floor in the garage and extends into the house. At its highest point it is about 6' and arches back down to the floor) At one section, and the section that leaks the most, there is a "T" where the crack extends from a window at ground level down to almost the floor, intersecting with the diagonal crack.

We tried to fix it with hydraulic cement and drylock paint, but to no avail. After reading all the posts here, we have determined that excavating is our best and "real" solution.

However:
1) does excavating have to be done by hand?
2) What is the best sealant for the exterior waterproofing?
3) do we want an injection into the crack from the outside before the waterproofing goes on?
4) how do we excavate under a deck which is attached to the back of the house? (the crack does extend about 6 feet under the deck)
5) how do we find someone trust worthy for this task - we are in Northern VA?
6) is it a good idea to hire one contractor for the excavating and another for the waterproofing or do waterproofing companies usually do the excavating as well?
7) Should we even attempt to dig this out ourselves - my dear hubby has a shovel

WOW! We are new at this thing, so sorry for all the questions. Hope to hear from some of you experts soon!
Thanks so much!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: olmstead,

..doesn`t have to be excavated by hand, when possible...it is best/safer/less-possible-pressure agst a wall,won`t ruin grass, possibly crack a drive/walk slab etc.

..we use hydrualic cement in/over cracks/gaps any openings, then apply Alco or Dewitts asphalt roofing cement..THICK..not the damproofing-thin grade,6 mil visqueen, all/most gravel backfill

..no injection--hydraulic cement `n asphalt-thick is PLENTY. anyone who wants injection go ahead, not us.What i mean by plenty is, nearly 3 decades worth of proven-results

..6' under deck wouldn`t be problem....for us, might be for others. depends on how they dig-type of soil etc. there have been times the homeowner has removed a part of deck then replaced it.

..trust worth? have to try and find em. The number of Exterior Waterproofing contractors has been far-surpassed by the 'Inside Co`s-Systems'. Its alot easier and less risk to install those inside systems AND They make alot more money so you may find it a tad difficult getting one. Does Not change the facts that most basement waterproofing work needs to be done on the outside. Thats whats best for the basement wall, the homeowner, the NEXT-homeowner etc.

..imo it would be best to find one solid honest company to do the work..excavating `n waterproofing.I could get into certain examples of what 'could' go wrong in using 2 but won`t for now. On the other hand, sure, you may be able to find someone w/equipment to 'dig it `n backfill it' and someone else to waterproof it and all may go smoothly.Exterior waterproofing companies around here...do-it-all. Excavate,waterproof-backfill,clean up and guarantee it

..attempt on your own? in most cases thats not a good idea. Can you? Sure! You`ll need to pick an experienced exterior waterproofers brain, get all the do`s and don`ts straight etc etc etc. If you like, you could call me...getting very busy these days but i`ll help/tell ya what i know/what i`d do etc. Your hubby will need more than a shovel you can call today if possible, i`ll be on jobs rest of week, weather permitting. 313-881-8035

http://www.yodergroup.com/concrete.asp 6th paragraph

http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpwes/publications/marineclay.htm#2

http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpwes/publications/marineclay.htm#4

http://www.bobvila.com/HowTo_Library/Why_Foundations_Fa...oundation-A2095.html

Q and A 1 and 5 in particular Wet Basements..

http://www.shakeronline.com/dept/building/FAQ.asp


http://www.askthebuilder.com/NH058_-_Waterproofing_Foundations.shtml



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