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Painting a Basement with Mold and Mildew-Resistant Paint

No matter how good a housekeeper dwells there, some homes are simply prone to mold and mildew growth, especially in basements. Paint alone is rarely a sufficient fix for a serious mildew/mold problem, but it can be a powerful part of the solution in many cases. Just make sure you take the proper steps for correct application, and you will find your home a healthier, happier place!

Here are the three steps to follow when painting your basement with mold and mildew-resistant paint.

Step 1: Address the moisture source

Mold and mildew thrive on dampness and moisture. In basements, that is often caused by water that seeps through the walls from the surrounding earth. In order to address this, have a professional examine your gutters and exterior water flow, and provide solutions to make sure rain water is sufficiently channeled away from your basement walls.

There can also be interior sources of moisture, such as water pipes, pressure tanks, water softeners, and toilets where water condensation collects on the outside. Finally, water leaks and simple humidity can also cause mold and mildew problems in your house. These need to be addressed before you use antimicrobial paint.

Step 2: Kill and remove the mold

Spray or scrub a generous amount of a mold-killing solution on the affected areas, and let it sit for a little while. Then, use a cloth or a soft-bristled scrub brush to clean the area, and finally, rinse it. It’s ok if the mold stains are not fully removed, as long as the mold spores are actually killed.

Blow a fan or run a dehumidifier in the area to get it thoroughly dry before you move on to the next steps.

Step 3: Prime and paint

Whether you are painting concrete, cinderblock, or drywall, you will want to use a mold-killing, stain-blocking primer as your first coat. You might as well use it on the whole wall, rather than just on the obviously affected area.

Once the primer has dried, use a high-quality anti-fungal/anti-microbial interior paint to coat the walls. Two coats are alway better than one, for more even coverage and superior durability.

Interior Painting for Connecticut and Beyond

If your basement is in need of a treatment with mold and mildew-resistant paint, Southington Painting would love to be a part of the solution! We are happy to come to your home and provide you with information on the best steps to take for your particular situation, and we will provide you with a free house-painting quote for the process.

Southington Painting serves Central Connecticut and the wider New England region, providing top-notch painting services at a fair price. You can always trust Southington Painting to do the job right, producing beautiful, long-lasting painting results.

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