Stripping and sealing basement block foundation.


  #1  
Old 07-07-15, 10:07 AM
M
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: USA
Posts: 136
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes on 0 Posts
Stripping and sealing basement block foundation.

Any good ways to strip the paint to bare block besides power was or sandblast? This is an unfinished part of a basement, no ventilation other than HVAC and don’t want sand/dust in that. Ive been using a wire brush and scraper. Would a wire brush attached to a drill be better?
The white is the latest layer of paint, with the tan the underneath. The dark spot bottom right is bare block. I want to put a fresh layer of dry-lok on, and make it last.

Name:  IMG_6601.jpg
Views: 639
Size:  39.6 KB
 
  #2  
Old 07-07-15, 12:19 PM
M
Forum Topic Moderator
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: USA - N.E.Tn
Posts: 45,659
Received 835 Upvotes on 732 Posts
Usually a wire brush will clean unpainted block up good enough for drylok. You do know that waterproofing foundation walls is best addressed on the exterior side!
 
  #3  
Old 07-07-15, 12:32 PM
C
Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: USA
Posts: 3,168
Received 169 Upvotes on 137 Posts
A knotted wire brush in an angle grinder will really do the job....but it makes a heck of a mess and dust will fill the room, so you need eye protection and a respirator. Tape off any HVAC inlets/outlets.
 
  #4  
Old 07-10-15, 07:03 PM
M
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: USA
Posts: 136
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes on 0 Posts
Yes, I know exterior side is best. But that also includes a new deck and new driveway! That’s gotta be $20K!
 
  #5  
Old 07-11-15, 03:09 AM
B
Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: New England
Posts: 9,460
Received 47 Upvotes on 43 Posts
Just to add some emphasis, if you can't address the water and moisture issues from outside, then they are not being addressed. Drylock is an attempt at slowing water penetration which will never be perfect, BUT, it doesn't block moisture vapor which, when finishing a basement or just controlling the mold issues, moisture vapor can be just as bad as water.

Blocks are another problem in that they provide a horizontal connection for most of the walls. A leak from the outside can travel 20 feet before you see it on the inside.

If you are just trying to reduce the humidity, the drylock is probably worth a try. The bigger problem would be covering those walls as part of a finished basement. That is when the moisture vapor slowly accumulates to become water which then feeds the mold.

Bud
 
  #6  
Old 07-11-15, 07:53 AM
C
Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: usa
Posts: 389
Upvotes: 0
Received 1 Upvote on 1 Post
Maybe, if you get the block cleaned enough you could do a few applications of whitewash. The lime is much more a deterrent to mold and mildew. You can find plenty of online recipes for brewing a batch and it is cheap to make. If you have a real water issue, then, as stated, the best solution lies outside.
 
  #7  
Old 07-12-15, 12:38 PM
S
Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: usa
Posts: 1,239
Received 1 Upvote on 1 Post
a 4K psi pressure washer w/sand injection would work the best however you'll need water control + have a bunch of wet sand to clean up
 
 

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
 
Ask a Question
Question Title:
Description:
Your question will be posted in: