What do I do to water proof?
It poured last night and our back yard flooded which sent water pouring in under the back door. I need to get it weather proofed brfore the next storm. Also we discovered cracks between the blocks in the wall that let water in the house, how do I seal these???
The first thing we need to do is create a path for the water that keeps it far away from your foundation. Regardless of the waterproofing technique, standing water will find a way inside.
If there is enough pitch from your back yard to the street, the best bet is a drain consisting of perforated pipe covered with material (sock pipe) set in a bed of gravel. Set this away from the foundation, where it can trap the water and run it to the street.
The pipe only needs to be perforated in the collection areas.
If there is insufficiant pitch for natural drainage, create a “lift station” by digging a hole, and inserting a 55-gallon drum(or a plastic trash can), with a submersable pump in the bottom with a float switch. Drain water into the top, and pump it out the bottom to the street.
To waterproof the foundation, excavate to a point below the slab, pressure-wash the area to be treated, and apply a ureathane-based coating (www.sanitred.com) This material has amazing properties and outperforms anything on the market.(There is a rubber compound included for large cracks).
Keep dirt and plants away from the foundation, which tend to trap water. Use gravel next to the home in the problem areas so water can run off unobstructed. Take care not to disturb the compacted soil under the footings
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listen to me, because you have a serious problem. disregard the above answers, i have read them, and what you all appear to be missing is that a residential lot needs to be graded properly and provided with adequate drainage. one doesn’t simply seal up the house against this type of water intrusion.
as an engineer and lawyer, i have seen this kind of problem waste many nice homes, and require their demolition and/or reconstruction. once your lot is graded and provided with proper drainage, THEN you can seal cracks, paint where required, and take other steps to waterproof it.
now, you need a civil engineer to look over the property and recommend drainage and grading measures.