[bschwarz]

I'm a relatively new home owner but on the handy side.

I plan to build a porch on the front of our house this spring but we have some water leaks coming into the basement where the front cement steps are located over the cold cellar. So far this is the only place we've noticed water coming in (except for some water moisture last spring in the floor caused by an unusually high snowfall / quick melt and corresponding hydrostatic pressure).

I live in eastern Ontario, Canada.

I don't want to spend much on repairing the cement stairs since I plan to cover them with a wooden porch. But I need to make sure that they are well sealed so that water does not come in for a long time. The parging (sp?) is probably passed it's time but again, I'm not too concerned about appearance or even functionality of the stairs due to the future porch taking their place.

One idea I had was to put some sort of thick water proof liner over top of the cement (e.g. pond liner) to keep the water from getting in. Then the wood porch would hide the liner. But this was just a shot in the dark and I have no experience of my own or others to back this up.

1) Any thoughts, good ideas?
2) Also, I'm not sure what type of contractor to contact since I don't really want to fix the front steps, I just want the leaks well sealed.

I plan to get a permit this time since it's on the front of the house so I'm not sure if this will play into my options.

B

 

[jomama45]

Tar, or damproofing. Once you apply it though, theres no turning back. It should hold for a long time, as long as it is sheltered from sunlight.

 

[bschwarz]

Tar, or damproofing. Once you apply it though, theres no turning back. It should hold for a long time, as long as it is sheltered from sunlight.

Thanks for the idea.

1) What is "damproofing"? I saw a product at Reno Depot that came in roles that you tacked onto relatively smooth surfaces to protect from water. Is that what you mean?
2) RE: Tar, you mean the kind you buy out of a can or is there any special kind I need?
3) If I have leaks into the cold cellar, will the tar fumes go into the basement?

Cheers, B