Many times, proper grading and water control around the house will take care of minor water infiltration into a basement or crawlspace. The following are some step-by-step recommendations, starting with the first and least expensive. Once the conditions have been changed, routine monitoring of all of the conditions should be followed.

• Fill any pockets or holes along the foundation; create a grade away from the house with a minimum of ½ inch per foot;
• Extend all downspouts and other water discharges a minimum of 10 feet away from structure;
• Remove any overgrown vegetation, bushes, trees, or root systems;
• Seal the interior of the walls with a masonry sealer; fill any holes with hydraulic cement;
• Verify that all existing drain tiles for sump pumps are clear.

Monitor All Conditions.

If the conditions persists:

• Install a drain field around the affected areas in the basement, below the slab. A drain tile embedded in gravel gives rising ground water a free path to a sump pump., Discharge should be a minimum of 10 feet away from the structure.
• There are soil injections available that come with a lifetime warranty. A polymer is injected into the soil around the foundation perimeter to seal any cracks or holes in the foundation.
• There are some other methods of collecting the water at the inside of the wall. However, these methods may allow deterioration and water damage to the foundation wall.