Homeowners have different uses for their basement. Some of us use it as a storage area for furniture, decorations, and other items they don’t have room for in their main living spaces. On the other hand, some of us transform our basement into the perfect hangout space, complete with a comfy couch and large television.
Regardless of what you use it for, you may want to avoid painting the basement walls if you don’t have them drywalled. This is because you’d be painting the concrete, which can create various issues that we’ll discuss in this article.
Reasons To Avoid Painting
While painting your basement can be tempting, this isn’t a task you should jump right into without analyzing the area first. Below, we’ve outlined a few reasons to think twice before painting.
Increased Mold Growth
Many advise against painting this area because it’s so open to moisture, and paint hydrates the walls. So this can increase the risk of mold growth, especially in the areas of the home you painted. While that paint job will look great at first, it’s also the perfect environment for mold to flourish.
It’s Not a Sealant
While paint can cover marks on the wall, it won’t do anything for cracks. If you try covering hairline cracks with a fresh coat of paint, you’ll soon have a bigger problem. Vapors and water can still seep into the area, and that moist paint supplies some nourishment!
Tips for Painting
While there are reasons to avoid painting the basement walls, think of this as more of a caution sign than a stop sign. If you take the appropriate measures, you can paint your concrete basement walls. For example, many foundation experts recommended homeowners begin the process by evaluating the area for cracks and damage.
Call an expert even if you spot the slightest crack within the paint area. They can make the necessary repair and ensure nothing else is wrong. No homeowner wants to spend hours painting the basement, only for it to go to waste if the basement floods due to a foundational issue.
Many also recommend waterproofing the area before you paint to lessen the risk of future water damage. Waterproofing techniques, such as encapsulating, help seal off the site. This means you don’t have to worry about water vapors sneaking inside.
Pro-Tip
Inspect the area for all potential signs of water damage, including:
- Puddles
- Musty smell
- Current paint peeling
- Cracks
All these indicate a problem you’ll need to correct before you can paint.
Call the Crack Guys
Call the Crack Guys to prevent the risk of water damage in your basement! We do basement waterproofing to avoid these types of issues from occurring. Once you’ve waterproofed your home, you can use waterproof wall paint to add some personality to your basement walls.
