Waterproofing Basement Areas Using Paint
Posted on January 2, 2010 by Samuel Cheeseman ----- Advertisement
There are many options available when trying to deal with wet or damp basements. Basement waterproofing can be handled either internally or externally. The method you use will depend on the current state of the basement in your property and what problems you have had with water up until now. Waterproofing basement areas will sometimes require the hiring of professional contractors if the problems are serious. A basement which is or has been flooded will often only be waterproof after extensive excavation and construction work has been carried out and an exterior drainage system installed. No amount of internal water proofing will keep out large amounts of water if the problem lies with faulty or inadequate drainage outside of a building. If this is the case then basement waterproofing contractors will need to be hired in order to assess the situation and carry out any repairs and construction work. In these cases it is likely that a full basement waterproofing system will need to be installed and some excavation work will need to be completed in order to achieve this. If you are thinking of purchasing a new home then you should be sure to carry out an inspection to check for any existing water damage. Home Inspection report Software can help with this.
Interior Waterproofing
Small problems with moisture, damp and mold can often be remedied with the use of basement waterproofing products which are used inside the basement itself. Paint is commonly used to deal with some of these issues and can prove to be very effective if the moisture levels are low. Basement waterproofing paint can be purchased cheaply and applied by the homeowner. It is available in many colours and so should suit most properties. Before applying the paint to the walls of your basement you should ensure that any cracks or small gaps in the walls are filled. Water proof filler from your local DIY outlet will be able to provide this. Members of staff there should be able to advise you how to waterproof a basement using the filler and some paint.
Any paint that is currently on the walls should be removed before applying the new paint. A wire brush can help you with this. A spray bottle containing a bleach and water mix should now be used to spray any areas of the basement that show evidence of mold in order to kill it. The mold should then be cleaned from the walls prior to painting them. It will be best to use two coats of paint to ensure a nicer finish and a more waterproof basement. While painting it will be a good idea to open as many windows as possible as ventilation will typically be poor in the basement area. A mask should also be work which covers your nose and mouth to prevent the inhalation of any harmful particles when removing mold. This is especially important where toxic black mold is present. Waterproofing a basement will be a safe procedure if these rules are followed.
As we know these paints and sealers will not provide any kind of solutions to a larger problem with damaged or inadequate drainage. They are only to be used when waterproofing basements with small moisture and mold related problems. If their use is limited to dealing with these issues then paints can be very effective in waterproofing basement walls and floors.