How to Mortar Vertical Cracks in a Basement Wall

Perhaps the greatest challenge to maintaining the integrity of basement walls is eliminating moisture buildup. Warm weather gives rise to condensation, as does running a clothes washer and dryer for long periods of time. Wet weather can cause water to seep through minor gaps in the wall. Given enough time, cracks will develop. Once the underlying problem is solved, all that is left is to seal the cracks. Hairline cracks can often be sealed with latex masonry caulk, but you should fill larger cracks with mortar.

Wire brush
Hand vacuum
Latex polymer liquid
Foam brush
Concrete patcher
Paint stir stick
Latex polymer liquid
Drop cloth
Trowel

Instructions

- 1
  Scrape away any loose mortar with a wire brush.
- 2
  Remove the mortar dust from the crack with a hand vacuum.
- 3
  Use a foam brush to coat the edges of the crack with a latex polymer liquid.
- 4
  Combine concrete patcher and water in the proportion specified by the manufacturer using a paint stir stick.
- 5
  Add latex polymer liquid to the patcher mix in the proportion specified by the concrete manufacturer and stir the mixture until the color is uniform.
- 6
  Lay a drop cloth across the basement floor to catch mortar drips.
- 7
  Apply the mortar mixture across the length of the crack with a trowel. Press the mortar into the crack while sliding the trowel along the length of the crack. The goal here is to fill the crack completely while minimizing air pockets.
- 8
  Wipe the excess mortar off the wall and allow the mortar to dry.

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