What kind of paint should I use on concrete basement walls?

Masonry paint (also called elastomeric paint or elastomeric wall coating) is a good choice for concrete painting because it contains binders that contract and expand with the concrete. Exterior house paint can crack and peel on concrete.

What is the best product for sealing basement walls?

When sealing basement floors and foundation walls the best concrete sealers to use are the Lithi-Tek 4500 primer followed by the Siloxa-Tek 8510 waterproofing sealer. If you are going to be installing flooring in the basement, it is best to use a moisture vapor barrier coating like the Vapor-Tek 440.

Should you paint basement concrete walls?

DO NOT PAINT YOUR WALLS, even with Drylok or waterproofing paint. Concrete does not support fungal (mold) growth. Also, do not attach insulation directly to the foundation walls. It behaves as a moisture trap and can also hide structural problems and cracks in the foundation.

Can you paint over concrete sealer?

A. You can’t apply paint over an acrylic concrete sealer and expect it to bond for very long. There aren’t any pores in the concrete for the paint to absorb into and stick to the concrete. The two sealers will bond to each other and give you the color you want without removing the sealer already on the concrete.

How do you seal a cement wall?

Seal the entire concrete wall with a waterproof masonry product. Paint a generous coating of this material onto the wall, working the product in all directions to completely seal any pinholes. The material is thick, much thicker than latex paint, but it brushes on with ordinary paint brushes.

Is Drylok bad for basement walls?

DO NOT PAINT YOUR WALLS, even with Drylok or waterproofing paint. Also, do not attach insulation directly to the foundation walls. It behaves as a moisture trap and can also hide structural problems and cracks in the foundation.

How can I make my concrete basement walls look better?

Attach wood furring strips, Z-shape channels, or 2×4 studs to flat, dry masonry walls, then add insulation and cover the strips or studs with drywall. Such treatments give basement walls a smooth, even surface that accepts finish materials such as paint, wallpaper, or paneling.

Does painted concrete need to be sealed?

Sealing a painted concrete floor is an important step because it adds an extra layer of protection on top of the painted surface. This is important because you can trap debris beneath the sealant and affect the way the sealant lays on the floor. Dust and dirt could cause the sealant to flake or discolor.

What kind of paint should I use on my basement walls?

If the basement walls are painted, then waterproof paint is the best option as concrete and silicate based sealers cannot be used on painted surfaces. Acrylic paint acts very similar to regular interior paint, only it goes on thicker.

How do you seal a concrete wall with no moisture?

If no moisture is present, the wall is already sealed. Seal the concrete wall. Roll on 1 coat of concrete sealer and allow it to dry overnight. Concrete sealer is available at most hardware or home improvement stores. Concrete sealer prevents water from absorbing into the concrete and helps prevent stains.

What kind of sealer do you use on concrete walls?

If the walls have not been painted and the bare cement is exposed, there are two options to choose from: concrete and silicate based sealers. Concrete sealers act like an additional layer of concrete and dry in thick layers. Concrete sealer should be painted on with a heavy brush.

Can I use silicate based sealant on basement walls?

Silicate based sealant, on the other hand, uses a chemical reaction to create a solid surface on the surface of the wall. If the basement walls are painted, then waterproof paint is the best option as concrete and silicate based sealers cannot be used on painted surfaces.