Painting Basement Concrete Walls

Painting Basement Concrete Walls

Overview:

Painting basement concrete walls can be a difficult task. The concrete foundation is make from either poured concrete or it is constructed of concrete blocks. Both of these surfaces are difficult to paint. Choosing the right paint and application roller can make the task easy for most DIY homeowners. I recommend a latex enamel paint which dries to a hard finish that can withstand heavy scrubbing.
The best paint for painting basement concrete walls is latex enamel paint although some homeowners prefer concrete epoxy paint. I prefer the latex enamel because it is easy to work with and easy to clean up using tap water. There are two basic ways to apply paint to concrete; with a brush and / or a roller.
The brush is used to paint around the edges of what you are painting. The size of the brush depends on the detail of what you are painting and the area. As there are latex brushes and oil brushes, choose the right brush for the type paint you are using. Rollers come in different sizes from nine inches to three inches.

The pile on a roller is called the nap. Although the thicker the nap the rougher the finish will be and it also determines the amount of paint you want to put on the wall. Concrete walls have a rough surface and are very porous. A high nap roller is required to insure that the pours are full of paint.

Concrete walls should be thoroughly washed before painting to remove any dust, dirt, or concrete residue; otherwise you will be just painting dirt. Any residue on the wall will prevent the paint form sticking to the concrete.
If the foundation is cracked or damaged, it will require a cement repair before painting.

It isn’t necessary to apply a primer before painting concrete walls. Concrete block walls are more difficult to paint than a poured concrete foundation and will require more than one coat to fill the pores.

As most basements are damp a dehumidifier should be placed in the room to reduce the moisture content before painting.

Apply the paint using a high nap roller. Roll the paint using both horizontal and vertical strokes to ensure that all the pores are full of paint and the rough surface is covered. Apply a second coat after the first coat is dry for the best results. In some cases a third coat may be necessary to achieve a professional looking job.

Related articles:

Latex Enamel Paint

Framing a Finished Basement

Insulating Finished Basements

Basement Moisture Problems

Pealing Concrete Floor Paint

Polishing Concrete Floors