DIY Life

Basements can be a real source of grief for the homeowner. Holes and cracks in the basement walls and floors allow water and even ultra-nasty sewage to seep into the basement. This can subject the home to major health risks from debilitating mold, not to mention the offensive nose-bombs.

You can't let this situation go on -- it'll just get worse and worse, and compromise the integrity of your home's foundation. So, what's the first step to getting a grip on this situation? To nip this situation in the bud, and prior to even thinking about waterproofing, you need to thoroughly understand what causes cracks in the basement floor.

Concrete cracks really detract from your home's appearance. Like piles of leaves clogging your house's gutters, concrete cracks suggest a lack of homeowner love. There's also a safety factor: you could take a tumble on uneven concrete. Consider putting concrete repair on your Spring things-to-do list. For anyone planning to sell a home within the next few months, put this on your must-do list!

Not sure where to start? Never fear. It's actually extremely easy to patch cracks in your driveway, your garden path, or on the pavement outside your home. First, consider when to tackle this job. The best time is Spring or Summer. Don't do it when you're expecting rain or freezing weather.

Newsflash for beginner DIY'ers: these days, you don't fill cracked concrete with more concrete. There are better products on the market that are easier to use. In particular, many patching products now contain latex. This adds flexibility and, therefore, added durability, in extremes of hot and cold weather.