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Painting basement walls

Basements are uniquely prone to damp and require more attention when painting. Read our guide below.

Basements offer homeowners extra space, whether for storage or an additional living area.

However, basements come with their own issues, and damp is a commonly experienced one. As a result, it’s important you take the right steps when painting the walls to ensure they can handle these conditions and stand the test of time.

Tools required for the job:

  • Sponge
  • Bristled brush
  • Soapy water
  • Bucket
  • Cement
  • Trowel
  • Chisel
  • Primer
  • Masonry paint/brick paint
  • Masonry roller and tray
  • Protective mask and goggles

How to prep basement walls for painting

It’s very important to prep your basements walls before painting them. If not, mould and mildew will grow and damp will emerge.

prepping basement walls

Step 1: Clean the walls and remove and debris

Use a bristled brush soaked in soapy water to scrub the basement walls. Getting rid of any loose bits of debris before you pick up your paintbrush is key for a smooth finish.

Step 2: Fix any cracks

If there are any cracks in your basement walls, it’s better to fix them before painting rather than dealing with them down the line.

Depending on what your walls are built from, you can either use regular filler, or if they’re brick or concrete, mix some cement and use this to fill the cracks is the best option.

Step 3: Prime your walls

Using a waterproof primer before you paint is an important step. Priming is unnecessary when it comes to standard interior walls, but we really recommend it for your basement.

An oil-based primer will prevent the growth of mould. We suggest applying two coats, letting it dry for a few hours in-between coats to make sure your walls are fully prepped.

If you discover significant mould on your basement walls, we recommend speaking to a professional before you paint to come up with the best solution.

How to paint basement walls

Here are some steps you can follow when painting your basement walls:

Step 1: Prepare the area

First, check the area you want to paint for water damage. If you do detect any, it’s best to consult a professional who can help you resolve the issue.

If there’s no damp or water damage, you’re ready to prepare the area. Make sure you open the windows for ventilation, and you may want to wear a protective mask and goggles.

Step 2: Create a smooth surface

Creating a smooth surface is key before painting basement walls. This can involve scraping away any rough or jagged pieces of brick or concrete, as well as filling in any cracks.

Thoroughly clean your walls with a stiff brush and let it dry completely.

Step 3: Prime and paint basement walls

Apply a layer or two of primer to ensure that the wall is fully protected and the paint has an even stronger surface to adhere to.

Use a paint roller suited to masonry paint to roll on your desire whitewash or paint colour.

Step 4: Apply a second coat

Leave the first coat to dry for a few hours and proceed to generously apply a second coat.

How to paint basement brick walls

Exposed brick is desirable for a modern industrial-inspired home, but if you’d like to change the colour or tone of your basement brick walls, then there are certain steps you need to take to ensure a good finish.

basement that needs renovating

Step 1: Prepare the brick

Scrub the walls and chisel off any loose, jagged bits of brick so your paint applies smoothly.

Step 2: Apply watered down bleach

To make sure the walls are fully cleaned and free of mould, we suggest applying watered down bleach.

Use rubber gloves to mix your bleach solution. We suggest using one part bleach to five parts water.

Step 3: Prime the brick wall

Proceed to prime your brick wall as you would with any other type of basement wall.

Step 4: Paint the brick wall

It’s time to paint your brick wall. If there are areas you don’t want to paint, make sure to use masking tape to help you stick within the lines.

The best tool to use is a roller, but you can also use a dense paintbrush to get in any pesky nooks and crannies.

How to paint concrete basement walls

Choosing the right type of paint for basement walls is key. When it comes to painting concrete walls, masonry paint is what you’ll need.

concrete basement walls

You need to follow the same steps as above, but be aware of a few key points:

  • Concrete is much less likely to harbour mould, but it’s not unheard of, so using a strong primer beforehand is still important.
  • Use a chisel to key the cracks. Make sure the crack in the inside is bigger than the outside. This will make sure that once you’ve filled them in with cement, the cement will stay firmly in place.
  • Choose a paint that has concrete sealing properties that will help shield your wall against any damage or erosion.

Hire a professional if you don’t want to tackle this project yourself…

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