The basement is usually the most neglected part of the house. But house painting in Concord can change your basement into an ideal livable space. Since most basement walls are made of porous concrete moisture is easily trapped behind the walls. This can lead to the growth and mold and mildew. That’s why painting the basement should be done for more than just aesthetic reasons — in fact, it’s a practical solution that will protect the walls from moisture.
Painting the basement can have its own challenges, but rest assured that it can also be a relatively quick and easy project. Here are the steps for painting the basement and some good tips as well:
1. If your basement walls have old paint that does not have flaws like peeling or cracking, you can remove the paint by using sandpaper, a metal scraper, or a wire brush. Older basements sometimes are built with wood as part of the foundation of the house, so the existing paint on the wood should also be removed.
2. Chances are, if the home is very old, some of the building materials may have eroded over time. You may see some flaws on the surface such as cracks or holes. If you find these on your basement walls, fill in all the cracks with fast-setting caulk or cement. Make sure you follow the manufacturer’s directions for application.
As the house ages, you may also see some crumbling concrete on the walls that may have gone unnoticed. To smooth out the edges of the rougher areas of the basement walls, use a sand blaster or disc grinder. Doing this will also reveal loose materials.
3. As implied before, since most basement walls are made of concrete they are more susceptible to moisture, leading to mold and mildew. They are potentially dangerous to your health, but these two harmful organic substances can also weaken your home’s stability. You can find several chemicals on the market that can kill both mold and mildew. Apply a base coat of paint — these add a layer of protection against mold and mildew — then finally apply a topcoat.
4. After preparing the surface, prime your basement walls. A primer helps the paint to stick better on the surface. Since basement walls are typically susceptible to mold and mildew, it’s better to buy a primer that is specially formulated with anti-mold and anti-mildew properties. After applying the primer, let it dry completely.
5. After the primer has been dried on the surface, it’s time to paint! You may also need to buy mold and mildew resistant paints to offer more protection against these two troublemakers. You may also want to use waterproofing paints to ensure that there is no water damage in the future. The best products for waterproofing the walls are epoxy or Rustoleum paints.
For the painting itself, you may be caught in a conundrum whether to paint with a brush, roller, or paint sprayer. A paint sprayer may be the fastest method, but if your walls are especially textured, it cannot fill the tiny holes. You will need to do back rolling to make the coverage look more even. Using rollers also presents some problems; furthermore, as you roll the paint on the textured walls, you can create a lot of splatter. Paint brushes will do well on the first attempt as they enable you to control how much paint you apply to an area, as well as where the paint is applied. You can also cut in corners using nothing but paint brushes.
Depending upon the size of your basement, you may actually choose any two of the three methods to apply the paint. The important thing is that you find them suitable and convenient. For instance, use the roller for painting the wider areas then use the paintbrush for cutting in the corners.
6. When it is time to choose a paint color for the basement, what color you use depends on the atmosphere you want in your space. Decide whether you want the space to look and feel cozy or look spacious. For instance, if you decide to convert your basement into an exercise room, you need brighter colors; or if you want to build a small bar, use more rustic colors. If you decide to turn your basement into a kid’s playroom, you will want a more colorful color scheme. Really, it all depends on the size of the basement and what you would like to turn your basement into.
A basement can turn a neglected subterranean area of your home into an ideal habitable space. You will be able to achieve this with simple house painting in Concord. When you are done, you will definitely enjoy the brand-new look of your basement.
