paint block basement walls

happyface · 10-01-2012, 06:14 PM

My 1954 house has block foundation. The whole basement feels dingy and I finally decided to paint it

. The walls get wet from heavy rains and finishing the basement does not seem to be possible. What is the best thing I can do to make my basement look better? I don't know what kind of paint I can use. Should I dry the walls completely first? Any advice is very much appreciated

joecaption · 10-01-2012, 06:23 PM

Paint is never ever going to work on walls that get wet.
You need to be addressing the outside of that area not inside.
Sealing the block with foundation seal on the outside below grade.
Working gutters,
Grade that runs away from the foundation.
French drains.
No mulch pilled up againt the foundation.
No flower beds forming ponds.

happyface · 10-01-2012, 06:28 PM

I am trying to do all of it and hope that the water will stop entering the basement... I am not trying to seal the walls with paint but I just want the basement to look brighter

Is it possible, or the paint is not going to stick?

joecaption · 10-01-2012, 06:31 PM

Not going to work and would be peeling off within a year then your stuck with trying to get it off.
And no Dri-Loc is not the anserwer.

happyface · 10-02-2012, 08:57 AM

I've seen floors painted grey. May be I can do at least that?

CoconutPete · 10-03-2012, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joecaption

Not going to work and would be peeling off within a year then your stuck with trying to get it off.
And no Dri-Loc is not the anserwer.

But Joe, in the commercial it looks sooo good and they say it keeps the water out completely

sdoerr2 · 10-06-2012, 02:34 AM

I had a little moisture issue in my basement, and I used Drylok. People either love or hate Dry-Lok... it does not fully solve the problem, but it all depends on you and what you want. Drylok is a good band-aid for me for now, as I do not plan to be in the house beyond a decade. It did the trick as well - dry as can be. Other than that, as others have said - get that drainage - grading and gutters

10-01-2012, 06:14 PM	#1
happyface Newbie Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 11	paint block basement walls My 1954 house has block foundation. The whole basement feels dingy and I finally decided to paint it . The walls get wet from heavy rains and finishing the basement does not seem to be possible. What is the best thing I can do to make my basement look better? I don't know what kind of paint I can use. Should I dry the walls completely first? Any advice is very much appreciated

10-01-2012, 06:23 PM	#2
joecaption Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Hartfield VA Posts: 18,822	paint block basement walls Paint is never ever going to work on walls that get wet. You need to be addressing the outside of that area not inside. Sealing the block with foundation seal on the outside below grade. Working gutters, Grade that runs away from the foundation. French drains. No mulch pilled up againt the foundation. No flower beds forming ponds.

10-01-2012, 06:28 PM	#3
happyface Newbie Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 11	paint block basement walls I am trying to do all of it and hope that the water will stop entering the basement... I am not trying to seal the walls with paint but I just want the basement to look brighter Is it possible, or the paint is not going to stick?

10-01-2012, 06:31 PM	#4
joecaption Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Hartfield VA Posts: 18,822	paint block basement walls Not going to work and would be peeling off within a year then your stuck with trying to get it off. And no Dri-Loc is not the anserwer.

10-02-2012, 08:57 AM	#5
happyface Newbie Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 11	paint block basement walls I've seen floors painted grey. May be I can do at least that?

paint block basement walls