Key points
- Thin vertical shrinkage cracks are common in poured walls and may leak during runoff.
- Horizontal, stair-step, or widening cracks should be checked by a foundation specialist or engineer.
- Water often enters at the floor-wall joint, not just through cracks.
- Fix outside drainage before relying on interior patches.
Common entry points
- Shrinkage cracks
- Form tie holes
- Floor-wall joint (cove)
- Pipe penetrations
- Window wells
What to do when it leaks
- Move belongings away and pull back carpet.
- Photograph the crack and the water.
- Check outside: grading, downspouts, sprinklers — see sprinkler leaks.
- Have the crack evaluated and sealed by a foundation contractor.
- Dry the basement properly to prevent mold.
Vault handles extraction, drying, and mold prevention — the foundation repair itself goes to a specialist. See spring flood prep.
Water through the wall?
Call (385) 250-2825 — answered live 24/7 by the Vault crew.
Water damage services · Drying a wet basement · Sump pump failure