Paint Your Basement Walls

Painting your basement walls can do more than just improve the look of your basement; it can protect your home from moisture damage. Basement walls are typically porous concrete. Moisture can accumulate behind the concrete, and lead to mold and mildew growth or structural damage. Use these tips to paint your basement walls.

Steps

Prepare the Basement Walls for Painting

  1. Remove existing paint from walls. Masonry paint bonds to porous wall surfaces, so you must remove the existing paint before repainting. If you apply basement paint over the existing paint, the newly painted surface may crack, develop air bubbles or flake off of the walls. Remove existing paint by rubbing the walls with sandpaper or a wire brush.
  2. Fill in all cracks and holes with a concrete repair product. To repair basement walls, use a fast setting hydraulic cement, which is available at most home improvement centers. Follow the manufacturer's directions for application.
  3. Remove mildew stains.
    • Mix 2 tbsp. (29.6 ml) of bleach with 1 quart (0.95 liters) of warm water. Using a sponge or cloth, blot the area with the solution until the stain disappears.
    • Use a commercial grade mold and mildew stain remover, which is available through most home improvement and paint suppliers.
  4. Clean the walls. The basement walls should be clear of dust, dirt and oil before painting them.
    • Remove loose dirt and debris with a broom. Clean the walls by wiping them down with a damp cloth.
    • Clean walls with an etcher, which is a product that consists of chemicals that clean and roughen the surface of basement walls. The rough surface enables paint to better adhere to the walls. Commercial grade etchers are available at home improvement and paint suppliers. Follow the manufacturer's directions for application.
    • Use trisodium phosphate (TSP) to clean the walls. TSP is an alkaline cleaning solution used for masonry surfaces. It is available at home improvement and paint suppliers. Follow the manufacturer's application instructions. TSP is highly toxic and is not permitted in some areas due to environmental concerns.
    • Contract to have the walls cleaned by a masonry cleaning service. Masonry professionals that specialize in cleaning basement walls utilize products with high toxicity, such as muriatic acid. Do not attempt to use muriatic acid on your own to clean your basement walls. Even mild contact can cause severe burns and blindness.
  5. Allow the walls to dry completely.

Prime the Basement Walls

  1. Choose a primer designed specifically for concrete and masonry. Concrete primers will adhere to the basement walls better than general primer, and will provide more durability and protection.
  2. Mix the primer. With the lid on, pick up the primer container and shake it vigorously to mix the contents.
  3. Pour the primer into a bucket or paint tray.
  4. Apply the primer. Generously coat the entire wall surface with the primer.
    • Use a wide polyester/nylon brush or roller to apply the primer. The brush should be between 2 and 3 inches (5 and 7.6 cm). Choose a 1/2-inch to 3/4-inch (1.3-cm to 1.9-cm) roller cover.
    • Cut in a 2- to 3-inch (5- to 7.6-cm) border around the top, bottom and sides of the walls. Start by applying primer in 1 corner and continue along the edge of the basement wall.
    • Paint the primer onto the walls in 4-foot by 2-foot (1.2-m by .6-m) sections. As you apply the paint, overlap into the previously applied areas, including the cut in areas, for consistent coverage.
  5. Allow the primer to dry completely, preferably for a minimum of 8 hours.

Paint the Basement Walls

  1. Choose a basement wall paint. Select a water-resistant masonry paint made specifically for porous concrete surfaces. A water-resistant paint will serve as a moisture barrier for your basement, and the alkali resistant coating will provide increased durability.
    • Select a paint color that complements your décor. Masonry paint is available in a wide range of colors at home improvement and paint stores.
  2. Mix the paint. With the lid on, pick up the paint container and shake it vigorously to mix the contents.
  3. Pour the paint into a paint tray.
  4. Apply the paint to the basement walls. For best results and increased moisture protection, apply 2 to 3 coats of paint.
    • Use a polyester/nylon brush or roller to apply the primer. The brush should be approximately 4 inches (10.2 cm), and the roller should have a 1/2-inch to 3/4-inch (1.3-cm to 1.9-cm) cover.
    • Cut in a 2- to 3-inch (5- to 7.6-cm) border around the top, bottom and sides of the walls. Start by applying paint in 1 corner and continue along the edge of the basement wall.
    • Paint the walls in 4-foot by 2-foot (1.2-m by .6-m) sections. As you apply the paint, overlap into the previously applied areas, including the cut in areas, for consistent coverage. To avoid paint drips, lightly tap the paintbrush against the inside of the bucket or tray to remove excess paint before applying to the walls.
    • Allow the paint to dry for at least 4 hours in between paint coats.
    • Evaluate the coverage after the second coat of paint. The walls may need a third coat of paint, or spot applications may be necessary.
  5. Allow the paint to dry completely.



Tips

  • Before you paint your basement walls, remove small pets and items in the room that could be damaged by paint or paint fumes. Move all furniture to the center of the basement so the painting areas are clear of any obstacles.
  • If you basement is newly poured, the concrete must cure for at least 30 days before you can paint it.
  • Paint basements walls in a ventilated environment with an air temperature between 50 to 90 degrees F (10 to 32 degrees C). If your basement has windows, open a few windows for extra ventilation or consider using a fan to increase air flow while painting.
  • Contact your local refuse collection service to dispose of unused paint or primer.

Warnings

  • Paint fumes can be toxic, especially for pregnant women or young children. Keep children, pets and pregnant women out of your basement while painting.
  • When washing your basement walls with chemical products, always wear protective gear, especially gloves and eye coverings. Chemical products may cause contact burns or blindness.
  • Existing paint on basement walls may contain lead, which is toxic and can cause serious illness. Always wear a face mask when scraping old paint from the walls. Clean up paint scrapings immediately with a HEPA vacuum or a wet mop.
  • Paint products can be harmful if swallowed. Keep all paint out of reach of children and pets.

Things You'll Need

  • Masking tape
  • Sandpaper
  • Wire brush
  • Hydraulic cement
  • Bleach
  • Water
  • Towel, rag or sponge
  • Commercial grade mold and mildew stain remover
  • Broom
  • Etcher or trisodium phosphate
  • Masonry primer
  • Masonry paint
  • Paint tray
  • Polyester/nylon paintbrushes and/or rollers

Sources and Citations

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