Is It Okay to Paint Basement Walls? 4 Insights To Help You Make The Right Choice

To paint basement walls or not to paint basement walls? It's a question endlessly debated by contractors, builders and homeowners grappling with basement seepage, moisture and humidity. Before taking a deep dive into searching for the right answers to "Is it OK to paint basement walls?", it helps to understand why basements are often prone to water seepage, mold growth and musty odors.

Hydrostatic Pressure

Groundwater can saturate the soil, force the water table to rise and cause the development of hydrostatic pressure. When this occurs, water will seep through even the tiniest cracks in basement floors and walls. Homes near large lakes and rivers are prone to having constantly moist basements. How much rain a location receives annually will also influence the water table level.

Too Many Small Cracks

Although concrete looks and feels solid, it's actually porous. Over time, moisture will penetrate concrete and cause pressure cracks to appear. Extreme seasonal climate changes may accelerate cracking as well.

Unfortunately, you can't prevent basement walls from developing tiny cracks due to aging or hydrostatic pressure. On the other hand, there's an affordable, effective method for combating basement seepage that you can easily do yourself with basement concrete paint.

What Is the Best Paint for Basement Walls?

These paints can be applied to concrete or wood.

Latex Paint

Pros:

• Cheaper than other paint types
• Quick to dry (in normal to dry humidity)
• Minimal paint fumes

Cons:

• May fade or yellow over time
• Tends to peel when painted on concrete
• Not considered a sealant

Epoxy Paint

Pros:

• Good stain resistance
• Durable (won't fade or peel as quickly as latex paint)
• Easy to clean

Cons:

• Walls must be completely clean and dry before applying epoxy paint or paint will not adhere properly
• Does not stick well to rough or bumpy concrete walls

Acrylic Paint

Pros:

• Durable, low maintenance
• Has a glossy finish like oil-based paints
• Available in bright colors

Cons:

• Won't stick to walls previous painted with an oil-based paint
• Dries quicker than other paints (color mixing or blending can be almost impossible)
• May crack or flake over time in moist basements

Although you can paint concrete or cinder block basement walls with just about any kind of paint, the best paint for basement walls is waterproof Liquid Rubber Sealant and Coating available in a variety of colors.

So, Is It OK to Paint Basement Walls?

You bet it is! And we've got the perfect product to seal concrete wall cracks, stop water seepage and transform your basement from damp and dull to comfortable and cool.

Here are great insights into why Liquid Rubber Color Sealant and Coating should be your first choice when selecting a basement concrete paint:

• Controls moisture buildup and adds a protective barrier to reduce the risk of flooding. When you employ additional measures to decrease basement humidity (sump pumps, dehumidifiers, ventilation fans, extending rain gutters), Liquid Rubber Color Sealant and Coating can help prevent growth of mold and mildew.
• Seals small and medium-sized cracks. This coating will also penetrate into concrete to seal cracks just underneath the surface of the wall.
• Treats water seepage problems where the floor meets the wall. Extreme contraction and expansion occur primarily at the floor-wall conjunction. Liquid Rubber Color Sealant and Coating is highly elastic and expands/contracts with walls and floors to reduce cracks

There are even more benefits to waterproofing your basement with Liquid Rubber:

• Can be applied over standard wall paint
• Environmentally friendly (water-based, no VOCs or solvents, safe to use around children and pets)
• No preparations are needed to start applying--you can use a paint roller, brush or paint sprayer
• Resistant to ultraviolet (sun) light degradation

After applying one coat, you can apply the second coat as soon as the first one is dry or slightly tacky. The best temperature at which to apply Liquid Rubber Color Sealant and Coating is around 50F (10C). Any painter's tape used can be removed while the coating is still wet.

If your basement has deep cracks, seams or bridge joints that can't be sealed with Liquid Rubber, we recommend using Liquid Rubber Geo-Textile.

Basement Concrete Paint Colors, What Works, What Doesn't

No matter if you are painting a basement, living room or bedroom, colors do more than make walls look brand new. Colors influence mood, establish a certain ambience to a room and help personalize a decor style you've always wanted. Some things to consider when choosing a color for your basement walls:

• Windowless basements that rely on artificial lighting can appear brighter if walls are painted antique white, cream or pastel hues. If you really want basement walls that are a medium shade of blue, green or beige, consider adjusting or adding to the artificial lighting in your basement.
• Basements with windows allow more flexibility when choosing basement concrete paint. Windows that allow plenty of natural illumination look great with dark or light-colored walls.
• If a basement has cinder block or stone decor features, the color of wall paint should offset the gray shades to avoid a dungeon-like ambience. Blues and greens work well to counteract yet enhance cinder block or stone items.
• Large, one-room basements with walls painted the same color can overwhelm decor features and even make the room appear smaller. If your basement is large enough, consider dividing up areas by painting walls with different (but coordinating) colors.

Now that you know it is OK to paint basement walls and which paint is the best paint for basement walls, what's stopping you from getting started? Liquid Rubber USA has everything you need to waterproof your basement, seal cracks and turn your basement into the coziest, most popular room in your home. For more assistance, call us today!