As most basements are made of poured concrete, the chances of water seepage through the walls are great. This is especially true if the walls have not been treated with a concrete sealer. Concrete, while strong and durable, is filled with a large number of extremely small pores that are natural to its creation. The various materials and compounds within the concrete react together, leaving a number of small air bubbles throughout the material.
These small air bubbles, though harmless to the concrete, can allow water and gases to travel through the material. The best way to take care of this issue is to prevent it in order to defend against it. Using a quality concrete sealer is integral to the strength of your concrete and the safety of your home. For basement walls, the best choice in concrete sealers is a silicate/siliconate-based solution.
However, if there is the potential for water seepage in through a crack in the walls you need to seal the crack first using a concrete crack sealer. This step, while effective, will not stop the problem from recurring on its own. In order to stop future water issues in your basement, you must use a waterproofing silicate/siliconate-based sealer, such as Lithi-Tek 9500. These sealers will penetrate through the pores of the concrete, react chemically within the material to densify and strengthen the concrete while helping prevent water damage that could lead to such problems as the build-up of mold and mildew.
