I have a 1920’s house in Minneapolis with a basement laundry room that I am going to re-do soon. I can’t decide what to do about the flooring, however. It currently is just the cement (was obviously painted quite some time ago, but that is almost completely worn off) in decent shape with some small cracking. The floor is significantly pitched towards a large floor drain located about ½ way along one wall and about 1/4 of the way out into the room.
I have considered 2-part epoxy paint with a lot of flakes to hide imperfections, but am concerned about adhesion without a vapor barrier in the floor.
Don’t want to spend the money on a tile job, and don’t want to DIY either, given the pitched floor (I would do it myself If the floor were flat).
What about some sort of sheet vinyl? Also something I probably wouldn’t do myself given the pitched floor, but perhaps getting this installed by pro’s wouldn’t be too spendy?
Any opinions or other ideas?
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Thanks,
Erik
Replies
the epoxy paint is probably your best bet, and if the old paint lasted to wear out instead of blistering off, water is apparently not a problem
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I don't see how the floor being pitched should make a difference in the installation. Any of the options you mentioned seems like a DIY kind of job or could be hired out. I would only suggest if you went with the epoxy paint, you should make sure the floor is completely clean first.
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From what I hear, the floor should be acid etched and thoroughly washed afterwords for the epoxy to really hold good. If the old paint is sticking well, I'd just paint it again with regular oil based floor paint. I don't know if those chips would work with it, but it's likely so. For what it's worth, I did everything according to directions and painted a business floor with latex floor paint, it would not hold at all. Ended up covering it with carpet.
Good point about the previous paint wearing off as opposed to being forced off by vapor pressure (I think... it looks like it was done a LONG time ago, there is not much left).
As far as DIY difficulty for the other options, it just seems like it would be somewhat difficult to get a sheet of vinyl to fit the "bowl" shape of the floor... wouldn't you need some sort of cuts in the material to make that work?
Thanks,Erik
I would not want to try putting vinyl down on a floor like that. It won't stretch so it would have to be seamed somehow. If you want vinyl I would level out the floor somewhat, but keep the drain lower than the rest of the floor.
thats the kind of info I was looking for, thanks!
Seems that floor coverings will be difficult, so the paint is probably the easiest, cheepest option.
So, opinions on regular floor paint vs 2-part epoxy for this application? I like the idea of flakes to hide imperfections and add some "grit" to the floor for traction (especially if it gets wet).
Thanks
Erik
I would use alkyd or polyurethane floor paint myself. Epoxy may be better, but alkyd is easier, and will last many years on a basement floor. The advantage of epoxy is that it is tough, and more adhesive. I don't see the advantage to using it in a basement, but there is definitely no reason not to. The problems with epoxy are that it is usually mixed one gallon or more at a time, has to be thoroughly mixed, and constantly mixed to make sure it stays mixed. It has a short time span to use before it starts to kick, so you can't just stop, you have to use up all the paint or throw out what is left. It is also more hazardous to breathe so you will be working with a NIOSH-approved respirator.
Hmm... polyurethane paint- haven't heard of that. Can you name a specific product?
Can you do the color chips thing in alkyd or poly like you can with epoxy?
Thanks,Erik
The Valspar oil porch and floor paint at LOWES is a polyurethane based product. I think the flakes would work with it just fine, but haven't tried that. I'd coat them with clear poly.Lowes also sells a rustoleum garage floor system kit with everything included.Word of warning, NO PILOT LIGHTS AND HAVE GOOD VENTILATION.
I would go to LOWES to see what flooring options they offer. Paint would be cheap and easy. LOWES also sells 2x2 subflooring made specifically for basement floors.
Also LOWES offers very reasonable installation on all their sheet flooring.
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