This is the primary benefit of waterproof paint.
Should you paint concrete basement walls.
It will help prevent the diffusion of water into your basement.
Once dried on the walls they bond with the concrete coating the surface of the walls in a continuous layer.
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.
While community building rules differ in general you will not need a permit just to seal or paint the concrete basement walls.
If you re going to.
Do pull a permit before making major changes.
If you or a previous owner painted the basement walls you ll have to remove the paint before applying sealer which only adheres well.
Before you begin make sure you know how to brush walls key cracks and apply liquid waterproofing agents.
Expect to spend about an hour preparing and painting a 6x8 foot wall not counting drying time required for repairs.
Shield your concrete surfaces from water damage.
Use an eggshell or satin latex paint on concrete walls that aren t exposed to much duress.
Get better protection from the elements with a higher pounds per square inch rating psi.
Waterproof paints claim to withstand 8 12 pounds of pressure per square inch.
Once you ve ensured that your basement is water tight it s time to paint.
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.
Ordinary latex paint is well suited for interior concrete walls.
When it begins to show some signs of wear often the best choice will be to replace it altogether.
Don t apply sealer over painted walls or efflorescence.
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.
These products are typically oil or latex based and they often claim to stop moisture penetration and to actually waterproof the basement.
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.