5 Things to Do Before Basement Floor Painting
A basement floor that’s little more than bare concrete isn’t all that appealing. Moreover, bare concrete floors are highly susceptible to damage from moisture intrusion, impact, and more. Sealing your basement floor with the proper coatings is an effective way to enhance your basement’s overall appearance and protect its foundation from harm. But before you start painting your basement floor, you’ll want to make sure you and your basement is fully prepared for the job. Here are five things to do before basement floor painting.
How to Prepare for Basement Painting
1. Gather the Right Supplies
If you’re not sure where to begin, a good place to start is by gathering the materials and tools you’ll need for the job. These supplies include:
- Mop and bucket
- Dehumidifier or fan
- Trowel
- Concrete patch compound
- Vacuum cleaner
- Grinder, power sander, and/or coarse sandpaper
- Painter's tape
- Paint tray
- Paintbrushes
- Painter roller and roller covers
- Concrete primer
- Polyurea floor coating or other basement floor coating
Generally speaking, Penntek polyurea floor coatings are the best type of coating out there for many reasons. They add a layer that is chemical and moisture resistive and come in many unique designs. They also offer a 15-year warranty, so proper installation and maintenance is essential.
2. Establish the Right Interior Climate
As is the case with any painting project, it’s important to work in the proper conditions. Otherwise, the paint might not properly bond/adhere or dry, which can cause further problems. When it comes to painting your basement floor, you want to first ensure that there is no present risk of flooding. Next, you’ll want to manage the room’s humidity levels so your basement floor paint cures and dries properly. Due to their underground locations, basements tend to be more humid than rooms on the main levels of your home. Install a dehumidifier and fans in strategic locations to remove some of this moisture from the air. And if your basement is particularly cold, adjust the temperature so it’s between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
3. Clean and Fix Up Your Floor
For proper floor sealing to take place, you’ll want to work with a smooth concrete floor. So, the next step is to clean your floor and repair any cracks or holes you come across. Use your trowel to apply the concrete patch compound, allow it to dry, and then sand the areas smooth. From there, sweep and/or suck up any dust, dirt, or other debris so nothing gets trapped underneath the floor paint. Finally, mop the floor with water and detergent and allow it to dry for at least 24 hours — keep your dehumidifiers and fans running during this process for efficient drying.
. Tape Your Edges
Now that your work environment is optimized for floor painting and your basement floor is smooth and clean, it’s time to apply painter’s tape to the bottoms of walls where they touch your floor. This is an important step for keeping the basement concrete floor paint off of your other surfaces and ensuring clean, straight edges.
5. Prime Your Basement Floor
Before applying your polyurea floor paint, be sure to prime your basement floor first. Primer achieves a few key things: 1) it provides an initial seal for your concrete flooring, 2) it facilitates the painting process by providing a smooth surface, and 3) it aids in paint adhesion/bonding. As you prime your floors, work your way from the farthest wall to the exit and be sure to smooth over any bubbles, puddles, or uneven areas. After you’re done, give your floors another full day to dry — then, you can paint.
If you were doing the math all this time, you would determine that basement floor painting can take about 3-5 days from start to finish. If you’re not up to the task or simply lack the time, let the experts at Anderson Painting tackle your basement floor painting project. To learn more about us and all we do, call today at 919-610-1855 or email us at info@andersonpaintingnc.com!
