Underground garage: water seeping through wall!

DrewD · 06-21-02, 03:33

Well, I'm going to rent a garage at my apt. complex, however the only one available has a water problem. I talked to the previous renter, and because the garage is partially underground, water seeps through the concrete blocks. The floor is often wet, and you can see water marks on the wall.

Is there a paint-type product than can "seal" the walls and prevent water seepage?

I'd just wait for another garage to open up, but this one is going for $50/mo, while the "dry" garages are going for $85!

Thanks for your help!

2wheelsx2 · 06-21-02, 03:42

Sealing water seepage in concrete underground is a futile exercise. The water will find a new way to get in. Concrete is a porous media, and the water will just a find the next less resistive path to flow. Now, if the seepage is coming from a crack, that's a different story. But if it is coming from well cemented blocks, the only way to stop the seepage is to improve or put drainage around the offending wall.

How do I know this? We went through this in our Townhouse complex. Exact same scenario. Tried all kinds of cheap fixes. In the end, a drain pipe too which buts tree roots and clears the pipe did the trick, along with a reverse flushing.

DrewD · 06-21-02, 08:08

I was afraid that might be the answer. My brother (who knows tons about construction, etc) said pretty much the same thing. Unless someone can come up with another solution, I may just end up putting rubber mats down. You know, the black ones they use in resturant kitchens that have round cutouts... At least that way I won't have to walk though the water...

kellyrudnick · 06-21-02, 08:20

You might first address issues with the grading along the walls. Look at the areas where you are getting seepage and see if water might be pooling in that area for a reason(gutter, sump pump run-off, poor grading). Changing the grading by increasing the slope can help alot. Depending on how much seepage you are getting a product like UGL's Dry Lok can improve a wet issue and resolve a moist/damp issue.

samiam513 · 06-21-02, 09:06

The rubber mats sound cool. Can they with stand 4k pounds on them?

DrewD · 06-23-02, 09:00

In regards to grading the surronding soil, I'm afraid my leasing office might pitch a fit if they saw me out there with a shovel and a backhoe! I'll look into the Dry Lok.

As for the mats... I really don't know how they'll hold up under the tires. I may just put them on the sides of the garage where they will only be subjected to foot-traffic.

Thanks for the ideas. Keep 'em comming!

kellyrudnick · 06-24-02, 08:16

Yeah Drew I wouldn't suggest a backhoe, but depending on the area's in question and the types of cracks you may be able to take a shovel and regrade poorly graded areas, use gutter and sump pump run-offs - all the cheap and easy things.
Here is a good site for information regarding basement issues:
http://www.handymanusa.com/basements.html