As a first-time homeowner, I'm feeling a bit lost on how to tackle refinishing my basement floor. The house is from the early '50s, and I recently had professionals handle some mold issues, so the ceiling and walls are freshly painted and looking good. However, the concrete floor is in bad shape, with old paint that's flaking off. The basement has a French drain around the edge. I've heard a mix of advice: the mold remediation team suggested using porch paint, while a store employee urged me to go with epoxy. But applying epoxy seems tricky. I've read mixed things about preparing the surface, especially with etching and whether I can do it over painted concrete. Plus, I'm worried about using a power washer in the basement. Wouldn't that create a moisture problem? I'm also considering just covering the floor with foam pads, but I want to avoid trapping moisture around the drain. Any tips on what I should do?
2 Answers
When it comes to painting or coating concrete, be careful—moisture can ruin the job no matter how you prepare it. I dealt with some water issues in my 1927 basement and used "deck tiles" to build a DIY floor. They're great because they let air circulate underneath and keep moisture at bay; it's a bit of an investment, but I think it’s worth it! Just remember, anything flat on concrete can trap vapor and lead to mold problems, so be mindful of that if you decide to go the foam route.
I had epoxy applied to my basement and I love it! There's no way I could’ve achieved the same results if I’d DIY’d it. You might find it expensive, but considering the right equipment and time, it probably won’t cost much more than doing it yourself. If you want to strip the old paint, a power washer could work if you're really careful about drying the area afterward. Just so you know, paint on concrete usually lasts only 3-5 years whereas epoxy can last around 15-20 years. If funds are tight now, you might just want to paint and save for the epoxy later.