How do I smooth over an old, rough, cement wall?

Katie Hix
by Katie Hix
The previous owner put a "cement" (not sure what it is for sure) over the original cement walls in our basement. It looks horrible, and I would really like to make them all smooth.

  5 answers
  • Mogie Mogie on May 19, 2018

    https://www.hometalk.com/diy/repair/drywall/q-how-do-you-smooth-a-rough-concrete-wall-29268612

    How do you smooth a rough concrete wall?
  • Laura Cooper Laura Cooper on May 19, 2018

    Yikes! I'm not sure what he would have used. You can use furring strips over the concrete and then drywall it or use mdf board

  • Landsharkinnc Landsharkinnc on May 19, 2018

    if the surface is 'sound' -- not chipped, broken, cracked/falling off, you might be able to sand it ( try in an inconspicuous area ) and see what happens ... if it's trowel marks that you object to a hand held belt sander should knock the ridges off -- then prime/seal, and paint.

  • Ruth Ruth on May 19, 2018

    Try Henry’s light weight concrete, it is used for leveling out counters floors etc. super fine grain and you can troll it on wet. When it dries it will only take a light sand to knock down imperfections.

  • William William on May 19, 2018

    Probably either to smooth out the walls or a waterproofing cement. Never heard of sanding cement. If it's sound then all you can do is put on another skim coat of cement over it to smooth it out.