What’s the best way to clean unpainted cement block walls
by
Amy
+1
My basement needs to be more user friendly so I need to wash down the block walls and cement floor also best product to repair small cracks and chips any tips to make it easier would be appreciated
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Suggested Project Book
To clean: "Since many basements contain high moisture levels, they are often installed with cement cinder block walls. Mold and mildew spores flourish in basements that are dim, warm, damp and poorly lit. Thin black and white fungi growth spreads over cement basement walls and leaves behind a musty odor. The walls also become accumulated with dirt and grime, which encourages bacteria and other contaminates. Cleaning and disinfecting is necessary to kill mold and bacteria, remove grime and improve a basement's overall appearance and safety." https://www.hunker.com/12002009/how-to-clean-cinder-block-basement-walls
To patch: "Cracks, chips and broken or flaking areas in concrete are not only unsightly, they can lead to further deterioration of the surface. Theresult is a costly replacement project as opposed to a simple repair." https://quikrete.com/pdfs/projects/repairingconcrete.pdf
Use a pressure washer
Pressure washer
I am not sure there is a really easy fix without some work. I would lay down a heavy plastic sheet or tarp and scrub with a solution of muriatic acid which is used to prep concrete. You could probably apply it with a sponge mop and then rinse if necessary. It is caustic so rubber gloves and safety glasses are a must. No bare skin. Do a section at a time and move the plastic along the floor as you work and when the walls are done then do the floor. It is a lot of work but will give you a much better end result no matter what you do after the cleaning. There is easy to use concrete patch available at the hardware store for filling in the cracks. I would fill the cracks after the cleaning so the acid does not spoil the repair job. Good Luck!!