The thought of turning your basement into extra living space is unthinkable as long as water is a problem. If you are having major flooding problems then consulting a professional to have the problem solved is probably going to be the best solution. Some problems can not be fixed by an amateur home repair job. Get several estimates before you actually hire someone and make sure they are licensed and have a good reputation as well.

Your homeowner's insurance policy may cover fixing the water damage and its source if it was not a preexisting problem when your home was insured. Policies vary and especially where flood damage is concerned. If your basement water problem is not severe, then you may be able to take care of it your self.

If you have a problem with damp walls in the basement, a dehumidifier might help solve this. If there are specific wet areas you can easily see such as big wets spots on the floor or one specific place on the wall, then you are probably having leakage from one specific problem.

The gutters outside the house can be the culprit of large wet spots on the inside and outside of a basement wall. When the gutters are running with rainwater, it could be creating puddles to close to the cement foundation. Sometimes simply adding an extension to the bottom of your gutter can solve this problem.

If you see obvious cracks in a block or missing mortar between blocks, this can be the source of your leak and repairing the spot could fix your problem. Simply open the area up by using a hammer and chisel and remove any loose mortar.

Make sure the crack is free of debris. Use hydraulic cement to repair the crack. First wet the spot to be repaired using a spray bottle. Mix the cement according to directions. The mixture should have just enough consistency to make a ball with a handful.

Begin pushing the ball into the crack until it is completely filled. Use a trowel to remove excess before the cement starts to set up. A stiff brush can be used to smooth the surface after it dries.