How do I paint my basement walls?

Mike mac
by Mike mac

the walls look faded light grey and dark grey. do they need a sealant before painting? they are cement. Also what kind of paint do I use on the floor? Something for wear and tear?

  6 answers
  • Mogie Mogie on May 17, 2019

    I have had really good luck with Drylok - you should be able to find it just about anywhere. It has some great waterproofing properties. I believe you can get that at the Home Depot.

  • Emery Mojica Emery Mojica on May 17, 2019

    I agree with Mogie.

  • Dmotan Dmotan on May 17, 2019

    Don't get the oil base Drylock as it will fry your brain. My son was going to use it in his basement and when we were in line to purchase it God sent a painter who struck up a conversation with my son. He ask him what he was going to use the Drylock for and my son said basement. He said no way. He said after the last hurricane one of his friends used it and she is now brain fried. There is no way to get enough ventilation to help. My son wouldn't listen to me but he sure listened to the painter.

    Thank you Jesus!!!!

  • Seth Seth on May 17, 2019

    If your walls are already painted, don't waste your money on DryLoK. it will not be able to penetrate the existing paint and you will not get any of the water resistant features of it. Any moisture coming through will eventually just push it off. If you have areas of efflorescence, you need to clean them thoroughly before painting. Efflorescence means water is coming through even if it is not an active leak. You may have old tie rods that have rusted away and now let moisture soak through. No paint or sealer will cure that. It requires a different type of repair and should be addressed before you paint. Use any good masonry latex paint. No need for a separate sealer. If the walls have never been treated or painted, then you can clean them and give DryLoK a shot.

  • Mike mac Mike mac on May 18, 2019

    Again, I heard drylok is bad on the lungs and brain. What is in it that makes it so bad? What a good floor paint for the basement?

  • Seth Seth on May 19, 2019

    You several different options for painting the floor like latex based paint, concrete stain, or an epoxy finish. Each have advantages and disadvantages based on your needs. I have used DryLok on walls and did not find the vapors to be overwhelming. As always, have good ventilation while working with paint. Both DryLok and Kilz make concrete floor paints.