Appreciate any input on how to paint my basement walls. The walls were painted when we bought the house so I am not sure what type of paint was used. I do not get water in the basement but it does get a strong moldy smell which I am hoping to minimize.
Thanks
Tom.
Replies
Tom
Is the floor sealed?
The floor was painted although some has worn off. Also there are water stains on the wall with a very small amount of blistering.
Thanks
Tom
"small amount of blistering"...............
Where-corners, down low a bit off the floor?
Either of these locations signal concentrations of water trying to work it's way through-or at the least, keeping the foundation moist.
Any paint will be pushed off by this moisture. Minimal? then touchup is probably going to be in your future.
In these areas of blistering..............
near a downspout or low spot prone to collection of rain water?
the blistering is actually more towards the middle of the wall as well as the water stains. The house was getting a small amount of water in the basement (where the floor meets the wall) when we bought it but since then we graded a little and fixed the dounspouts I haven't had an issue again.
Thanks
You eliminate the musty smell with ventilation - fresh air in, moist air out.
There is definitely moisture passing through your walls; you'll want a porous paint that lets the moisture pass through. There's something to be said for old-fashioned 'white wash.' Or, a simple, cheap latex paint. Do not use Kilz, BIN, shellac, or oil based paint; these will block moisture - until they fail and flake off.
Thanks to you both for all the input.
Tom