Your basement wall is probably concrete and since concrete paint will only stick to a porous surface you ll want to remove the prior layer of paint if you have one.
Should you paint concrete basement walls.
When it begins to show some signs of wear often the best choice will be to replace it altogether.
Once you ve ensured that your basement is water tight it s time to paint.
Before you begin make sure you know how to brush walls key cracks and apply liquid waterproofing agents.
Do pull a permit before making major changes.
Waterproof paints claim to withstand 8 12 pounds of pressure per square inch.
For concrete walls within weight rooms work rooms and kids play rooms choose a semi gloss latex paint that will resist stains.
While community building rules differ in general you will not need a permit just to seal or paint the concrete basement walls.
If you or a previous owner painted the basement walls you ll have to remove the paint before applying sealer which only adheres well.
Once dried on the walls they bond with the concrete coating the surface of the walls in a continuous layer.
Yes parging will break down over time because concrete does not have an unlimited lifespan but a properly applied parge coat will last for a very long time.
Get better protection from the elements with a higher pounds per square inch rating psi.
Use an eggshell or satin latex paint on concrete walls that aren t exposed to much duress.
If your basement is concrete like mine it s very porous and even if all of your ducks are in a row as far as drainage you can still see quite a bit of minor seepage during heavy rains without it.
Proper painting of these walls requires the removal of any water and mildew before beginning as well as patching the walls to prevent to growth of mold.
This is the primary benefit of waterproof paint.
Ordinary latex paint is well suited for interior concrete walls.
Expect to spend about an hour preparing and painting a 6x8 foot wall not counting drying time required for repairs.
If the home is old consider running a lead test before beginning removal and have a professional handle the task if the lead test is positive.
Painting your concrete basement walls not only helps protect your basement against mold water bacteria and mildew but also adds to the look of your basement especially if you use it as a work or rec room.
Don t apply sealer over painted walls or efflorescence.
These products are typically oil or latex based and they often claim to stop moisture penetration and to actually waterproof the basement.