How should I repair a basement water leak?

Q: How should I repair a basement water leak? Two contractors suggest fixing it from the inside by taking down the drywall along one basement wall. Two other contractors recommend fixing it from the outside by digging down at the side of the house, exactly where two air conditioners sit on a concrete pad. Is there any disadvantage to fixing it from the inside?

A: I've seen leaky basements fixed successfully both from the inside and outside, so either way could work depending on your situation. The real question is: what’s the cost and hassle factor of the two options? I always favour trying the cheapest and easiest approach first, then getting more serious only if necessary.

Digging down around your foundation will add thousands of dollars to the job, especially since it means disconnecting the two air conditioners and hooking them up again. Your yard will look like an open pit mine for a while, too. The interior approach is far less disruptive. The success stories I've seen involve installing drainage tile below the basement floor, right along the edge of the wall. Couple this with a coating of proven masonry waterproofing compound like Drylok, and you’ll probably be in good shape. Fixing leaky basements is never a certain proposition, but attempting the job first from the inside makes good sense.
 

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