QA

Quick Answer: How To Paint Cinder Block Foundation

Paint the entire wall with a thin coat of a concrete sealer or concrete primer. Apply an even coat with a wide paintbrush. Allow it to dry for four hours or for the time indicated on the sealer label. Paint a thin coat of exterior latex masonry paint or exterior acrylic house paint onto the prepared cinder blocks.

How do you paint exterior cinder block foundation?

For exterior foundations and walls, use exterior-grade block filler, such as Behr’s Concrete and Masonry Bonding Primer, which also is good for interior concrete ($17.98 per gallon). Primer dries in two hours; wait at least eight hours, but no more than 30 days, to paint.

What kind of paint do you use to paint cinder blocks?

Painting. Purchase high-quality acrylic latex paint. Cinder blocks require a durable paint to hold up to wear and tear. Latex paint with acrylic will provide the best coverage and the smoothest application for both smooth and split-face cinder blocks.

Should you paint cinder block basement walls?

Your basement will either have a concrete foundation or cinder block foundation. By painting the walls or foundation, you increase the appeal of the space, but also it improves the moisture control from the wall. By using a waterproofing paint, you prevent some of this transfer from happening.

How do you paint a cinder block basement wall?

Paint the cinder block wall with a thick coat of masonry waterproofing paint, pushing paint into cracks and crevices of block. A paint roller or brush made specifically for masonry is best. Allow to dry overnight or for a minimum of 12 hours between coats.

Should I paint my cinder block foundation?

Yes, you should paint your foundation walls. The primary benefit of the paint will be to provide aesthetic value for your home. Exterior masonry paint also provides a measure of protection against moisture and UV damage. Quality masonry paint can last from 10 – 15 years.

Can you paint an exterior cinder block wall?

Typical exterior house paints will never adhere to masonry surfaces, such as bricks or cinder blocks. Instead, you must begin with a block filler primer. This thick, goopy paint soaks into all the pores and seals them, so that you have a solid, durable surface that your exterior paint can adhere to.

What is the best paint for block walls?

Once again, elastomeric paint is the best type of paint to use for exterior concrete walls, though a premium 100% acrylic paint will also get the job done nicely.

Can you paint cinder blocks with latex paint?

Paint the area, using a quality interior latex paint or specialty masonry paint. Once your cinder block has been sealed and primed, you can use any type of interior wall paint, so you don’t necessarily have to purchase specialty paint. Apply two or more thin, even coats until the desired color is achieved.

How do you make cinder blocks look good?

Surface bonding cement, used to build dry-stack block walls in place of mortar, can be used to create a smooth surface on concrete block. It’s a waterproof, flexible Portland cement reinforced with fiberglass. One of the benefits is that you can add color to the cement, eliminating the need to paint over it.

Is it good to paint basement walls?

Remember, most foundation walls allow lots of moisture and humidity into your basement. Many paints are not strong enough to hold back the hydrostatic pressure. Even if they are able to stop the hydrostatic pressure, paint is mold food.

Is it safe to paint basement walls?

DO NOT PAINT YOUR WALLS, even with Drylok or waterproofing paint. Concrete does not support fungal (mold) growth. Also, do not attach insulation directly to the foundation walls. It behaves as a moisture trap and can also hide structural problems and cracks in the foundation.

How can I make my concrete basement walls look better?

If your concrete-block basement walls are dry and free of efflorescence or mold, you can seal them with a masonry sealer or all-purpose water-base primer-sealer and paint with a high-quality latex paint. Paint is an easy way to make the basement feel warmer, brighter, and more welcoming.

How do I prepare my basement walls for painting?

You’ll have to remove it before you paint a basement wall. Mix a solution of muriatic acid and water, strictly following the instructions on the label. Wearing old clothes, gloves, and eye protection, scrub the surface with a stiff-bristled brush.

Can I paint my block foundation?

Paint. Any high quality paint can be applied over Block Fill primer, but certain types perform better over time. The absolute best for exterior use is Elastomeric paint.

Should you paint the foundation of a house?

Always paint the foundation a color between earth and deep gray slate. The depth of color will ground the house, and make your eye drift up to the actual house, not the basement. And when it comes to utilities, downspouts and other things you don’t want to stare at, paint them whatever the background is.

Is painting foundation bad?

Why Not Paint Concrete? Applying parging to foundation walls helps to provide a first layer of defense against the exterior elements. Paint, and especially acrylic paint, does not have these moisture-transferring properties. That means if the paint cracks, and it will, water can seep behind it and has nowhere to go.

How do you cover a cinder block wall outside?

Concrete. The simplest way to cover a cinder block wall is by using surface bonding cement to create a concrete finish. Concrete helps insulate the building and keep moisture out. It creates a smooth, finished surface you can leave as is or paint.

Do I need to seal breeze blocks before painting?

The reason we have not suggested applying primer to interior breeze blocks is that we recommend using a mist coat. A mist coat will absorb into wall surface to act as a sealer and thus creates a base for subsequent coats of paint.

What does acrylic latex paint mean?

Acrylic latex paint is just latex paint (water-based) that uses 100% acrylic and no vinyl. All-acrylic latex paints are the highest quality of latex paint. Vinyl latex paints are much cheaper. The more acrylic resin in the paint, the better it tends to hold up and adhere to a surface.

Can you paint landscape blocks?

Paint Landscaping Bricks With Acrylic To color landscaping bricks with paint, use acrylic-based varieties. It’s longer lasting and resistant to the harsh weather outdoors. For a large area, the paint can be rolled on. If you have a pattern of small, interlocking bricks, you may need to paint each brick by hand.