basement wall leaking

[Still learning]

In the basement of my raised bungalow, I have an outside wall where alot of moisture is accumulating on the inside wall, particularly near the floor. I have dug down on the outside but I do not see any noticeable cracks so I do not see where I could use hydraulic cement once I have used a chisel. The water is not flowing at this point but I assume the problem will only get worse. This part of my yard is usually very wet this time of year and I do not see how I might improve the drainage for the yard. The way the exterior of the house and yard are laid out, I am only concerned with water in the ten foot area that I have already exposed on the outside. What can I put on the outside of this foundation wall to help keep the moisture out? Can I use a tar with some sort of barrier and then more tar overtop? thanks in advance for any suggestions.

[majakdragon]

What you may have are capillary cracks. They are very small and may not be seen easily. There are products to waterproof your walls. Read the directions on the product you use and follow them.
The main thing is to determine WHY you have water there. Sealing will only force the water to switch location of entry. Another thing you might want to try (although this doe's not sound like your problem) is to take a 12 inch square of aluminum foil and tape it to the wall, making sure the edges are securely sealed. Let it stay a day or two. When you remove it, if the side to the wall is wet, it's a leak. If the interior surface is wet, it's condensation. Good luck with your project.

[Still learning]

I have solved the source of the water problem. The down spout for my eaves was burried into the gournd and water is carried away from the house with a black pastic pipe (o pipe?)....I have hooked into this and extended it another 20 feet from the house and the ground is much dryer now. However, if there are small cracks in my wall (capillery I think you called them), I do not want the wall to deteriorate further. Therefore I want to seal it. Can you give me the name of some product I can paint or roll onto the wall (some sort of wet patch perhaps?) and I assume that I can get this at the Depot or Rona? Thanks again for your reply.

[majakdragon]

Thuro-seal, Waterplug and Dry-loc (spelling?) are products that can be put on with a brusk that seal those small cracks. Follow the label directions.