Is Waterproof Paint a Good Option For Basements?

By Christopher W Smith

We all want a dry basement, especially if we're using it for storage or as a finished part of our home. If you've ever had water in your basement, you know how much damage it can do and how it lowers the value of your property. You don't have to live with the problem, though, because there are a number of ways in which you can waterproof your basement to keep the space dry and usable.

One very popular way to waterproof a basement is by using paint that is made especially for that purpose. Although the paint may not provide the entire answer to the problem, it will definitely help. You can buy this paint in both interior and exterior grades. Before you start painting, though, you need to keep reading to find out a few things you need to know about waterproofing.

If your house had the foundations waterproofed while it was being built, this will usually keep you from having water problems. Exterior grade paint has a petroleum base, and it usually only comes in black. That's why it's used on the exterior of a foundation while it's being built. It just wouldn't be very attractive used as an interior color.

Interior waterproof paint is used to provide a barrier between the moisture outside and the dry space inside. You can find different types of paint in stores, and you'll discover that this is one of the cheapest ways of waterproofing your basement. The paint will help to stop water from condensing on your walls and then seeping into your basement.

Before starting to paint your basement, you need to look at a few other issues. If you have large holes or cracks in the walls, the paint alone won't be able to stop water from coming through. Therefore, prior to painting you need to repair the cracks and holes with cement or epoxy and allow the areas to dry completely. After they're dry, you'll be ready to paint over them.

If you're after the cheapest way possible of stopping water problems in your basement, waterproof basement paint can be a great option. If the only problem you have is seepage through pores in the walls, this paint will probably be very effective. Of course, if you have other problems, such as ground water, you'll need to combine the paint with other methods of water control.

Are you looking for more information on waterproofing your home and under deck waterproofing?

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