Odd basement leak - from the outside walls
 

We have a leak at the top wall of our basement that I think is related to poor drainage of a planter bed which allows water under our front steps. (Frustrating, because I thought I fixed this a year ago with new gutters just before we refinished the basement!)

The steps are solid concrete (I think) and have an porch/landing about 4' x 4' at the front door. There are no drain holes under the steps. Concrete was poured approximately 65 years ago...

Anyone know how to fix this, short of tearing out the steps?

French Drain in the planter???

Odd basement leak - from the outside walls
 

Are you sure you completed the "fix" with gutters?

How long are your extensions? - 10' I hope, to an open discharge or a pop-up bubbler.

Is your surface drainage away from the house?

How to fix cracks in basement walls
 

I had similar links in my basement walls, although the cracks were easily visible for me. You probably have water seeping thru a small crack between the steps and the foundation. I used Drylok Fast Plug, a quick-setting hydraulic cement that worked pretty well. Short of moving the steps, you could try a pastry bag or something similar to work the cement into the crack.


Roger