CEMENT BLOCK
4. Because the parging has no elasticity and because the blocks are made of a porous aggregate, the blocks draw moisture to the inside of the basement, permitting the walls to sweat and bleed.

5. Due to the expansion and contraction of the cement blocks, the parging, which has no elasticity - cracks with the temperature changes. This allows water to enter thru these cracks and in the mortar joints, filling the bottom course of blocks. This water penetration also causes the blocks to lose their insulating value.

Why
Basements Leak 

1. As the ground becomes saturated, the water table begins to rise, putting pressure against the basement floor, and seeks cracks which are caused by the expansion and contraction of the cement.

2. The footer is poured separately from the wall. The wall is then constructed upon the footer. Since it is impossible to get a perfect
seal between the footer and the wall, water is able to enter the basement at this junction (cove).

3. Exterior footer drains malfunction, forcing water to seek the path of least resistance, which is under the footer. This water seeks cracks in the floor, or moves over the footer, entering the basement at the cove.

POURED CONCRETE
4. Due to the expansion of the poured concrete wall, the parging - which has no elasticity - cracks with the temperature changes.

In addition, this expansion and contraction causes cracks to develope, allowing water to penetrate through the cracks.

5. Also poured concrete walls often contain voids which accumulate moisture, resulting in damp spots on the inner surface.