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Brick is designed to absorb moisture, but it is also designed to let it evaporate as well. So in general, the goal shouldn’t necessarily be keeping moisture out but making sure it has the room to breathe. If you have excess moisture getting through your brick wall, it’s more likely that you have a crack or other issue at play that a typical sealant won’t fix. So, instead of investing in sealant, try repairing your brick wall instead.

Most houses will have vents in the crawl space. This allows for air passage and energy retention, which in many ways can help control the temperature inside the home. If you are able to consider the cost of a crawl space encapsulation, you may not need your crawl space vents at all. 

Living in a finished basement is acceptable, but only if the space has the proper points of egress and includes smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors to ensure the safety of the occupants. A good way to ensure your finished basement is suitable for use as living space is to get the basement finishing project properly permitted.

In most cases, it is safe to live in a home with minor foundation problems, but you should not let the issues persist. Virtually all foundations have small cracks from normal settlement, which are not a structural concern but should be sealed to prevent water intrusion. However, major damage—such as large structural cracks, sinking foundations, or bulging walls—can make a home unsafe. Other issues that can pose safety and health risks include poor indoor air quality from mold or pests, uneven floors, and rotten beams or joists. It is always best to have a foundation repair expert or structural engineer inspect any issues to determine if your home is safe to live in.