Basement Wall Repairs:
Repairing basement cracks and holes:
Tools and Materials: Rubber gloves, safety glasses, wear older clothes, small masonry chisel, hammer, caulk gun, wire brush, brick trowel (you could use a 4 inch putty knife), masonry caulk in a tub or bottle (for small cracks), hydraulic cement (this is a cement powder that can be purchased at the hardware store, used on cracks and holes).
If you have a "finished basement" where the walls are covered in drywall or paneling, you will first have to remove this wall covering material to determine your problem and make your repair. Locate the crack or hole to be repaired. Using a chisel and a hammer, gently chisel out any loose mortar and other loose material. Make sure you have your safety glasses on. Sometimes you may have to cut out a "V" groove so the hydraulic cement will have something to grasp onto. You can use the same procedure for repairing holes. Using your wire brush, brush down the area. Mix the hydraulic cement by following the instructions on the container. Using a masonry trowel or putty knife, fill the crack or hole. Make sure you wash with water any tools you used with the hydraulic cement. This product will cure hard as a rock in less than 1/2 an hour. Therefore, once it is mixed, you have to work with it quickly. Once mixed it will feel warm as it generates heat. Wear your rubber gloves when handling this material.
There are also masonry caulks in tubs and
bottles on the market that you can use to repair small cracks.
Once these repaired areas have dried you can apply paint.
Eliminating Dampness in the Basement:
Tools and Materials: Rubber or latex gloves, wear older clothes, wire brush, 4 inch or larger paint brush, roller and roller pan, drop cloths, waterproof paint.
Possible appliance: Dehumidifier
If you have a "finished basement"
where the walls are covered in drywall or paneling, you will first have to
remove this wall covering material to determine your problem and make your
repairs. Are the basement walls damp? Are there any signs of 
efflorescence on the walls?
Take your wire brush and scrub the walls to be painted. Knock off any efflorescence and other loose material. Open basement windows and doors to provide proper ventilation while you are painting. Using a brush or roller, paint on the waterproof paint. This type of paint is thick and heavy. Therefore, it will go on thick. Make sure you calculate the number of gallons you will need. You do not want to get half way through painting, run out, and have to run up to the hardware store for a few more gallons. Make sure you paint over any new wall repairs.
If the basement is constantly damp with condensation you may need to also purchase a dehumidifier for the basement. This is a free standing appliance that constantly removes moisture from the air.
Upon completion of any basement repair you may need to reinstall the drywall or paneling. Make sure the paneling or drywall is installed up off the floor (not touching the floor). This will not allow any moisture on the floor to wick up into the wall material causing further damage.
