Waterproof painting is a great way to prepare your basement for renovations or to protect interior walls from water or dirt. The type of paint you want depends on the type of wall you want to paint and the existing problems on the wall. As with all types of painting, there are workarounds that can make the process smoother and easier. Finally, it is important to take care of the walls with waterproof paint to give them a fresh look.
The paint base can be oil-based or latex-based. Oil paint is the best choice for panels with laminate, wood-free or other unsightly walls. This type of paint will help cover wall problems and will not spread the grain of the wood. Latex paints are generally less expensive and easier to clean.
However, this type of paint will support all of the wood grain in the wall, making it highly visible. For stretched or smooth slat walls, latex is usually the best choice. A finished color is also an important option. Flat paint works best for covering rough walls, but it cannot be removed. An egg or semi-gloss finish will help hide imperfections on walls, but they’re also washable.
Gloss and high gloss finishes are the easiest to clean because they remove almost everything. However, the glossy or shiny finish makes the light more visible and makes the lighting less visible. When painting the exterior, a special waterproofing paint, usually in the form of epoxy, should be decided upon to complete the waterproofing surface. This type of paint can be very expensive and requires a special brush or applicator.
Before you start painting the walls, you should start by repairing any major scratches. This includes filling the screw holes with filler and sanding them smooth. After fixing the marks, the walls should be wiped with a dry cloth. For very dirty walls, a damp cloth will quickly help.
When painting cement walls, which often happens when waterproofing the basement, it is important to repair the cement walls first. High levels of alkali found in cement blocks can damage paint, but can be easily neutralized with special solutions available at paint or hardware stores. As with any painting project, the edges should be taped with special tape that will not damage the wall. Furniture or floors that cannot be removed from the room should be protected with a cloth or rag.
Water-repellent paints will help seal the walls, but they should not be exposed to too much water when not needed. To clean, use a clean sponge or cloth dampened with warm, soapy water to wipe down the walls from top to bottom. For coarse scratches, things like Magic Eraser can be removed without damaging the underlying paint.
Did you find this information on water-based paints effective? If so, find out about topics such as the cost of waterproofing your basement or the cost of completing your basement.