Basement & Foundation

The basement is where caulk faces its most Herculean challenge: hydrostatic pressure, efflorescence, freeze-thaw cycles, and the general ambitions of water to be somewhere it shouldn't. For active leaks, hydraulic cement goes in first. For cracks after the water's stopped, polyurethane crack fillers do the heavy lifting. For joints and penetrations, use a waterproofing-grade sealant.