I'm looking for effective methods to clean the soil off my concrete basement walls. I've already tried using a brush, but it takes a lot of effort and creates way too much dust. I'd love to hear any suggestions! I'm considering priming and painting them with concrete paint, but I can't use a power washer because it would flood the basement. Any ideas?
3 Answers
Just wet the walls with a garden hose and give it about 10 minutes. Then, blast it again with the hose and use a shop vac to get rid of the excess water. It might make the process a bit easier without kicking up too much dust!
If you’ve dug out the basement to lower the floor, you really should be focused on underpinning instead of just cleaning it! But if you want to clean it, a power washer followed by a shop vac, plus running fans and a dehumidifier, is a solid strategy to ensure everything is dried thoroughly.
Surface preparation is critical! If your walls are covered in dust or dirt, any paint you use will struggle to stick. Try using small amounts of water mixed with dish soap while scrubbing with a bristle brush attached to a drill. An air pressure tool could also work, although it might create a lot of dust, so be prepared for that!
Absolutely! Proper surface prep can't be overlooked. Also, if you decide to use a pressure washer, remember it releases just a small stream under pressure, so it shouldn't flood the area. Follow up with a wet vac and a dehumidifier to manage moisture later.