I recently remodeled my basement after some water issues due to heavy rain. The previous fake wood laminate floors were removed to prevent mold growth, and I cleaned the concrete slab with a diamond grinder. Now, I've regraded around the house to improve drainage, but I'm unsure if I should apply a seal or epoxy coating to the concrete floor or if it's fine to leave it as is. What do you think?
3 Answers
You can technically leave the concrete as is, but sealing it with epoxy or a concrete sealer can significantly reduce dust and make maintenance easier. Plus, I found that even a couple of coats of concrete floor paint can make a big difference!
I usually recommend addressing moisture from the outside first, then tackling humidity inside. Using a product like Drylok concrete paint on the floor can really help with dust and humidity. Since you’ve already regraded, ensure your gutters are diverting water at least 10 feet away from your house. If you're up for it, digging around the foundation and applying a waterproofing product could really enhance protection.
We went all out and coated our concrete with epoxy designed for garage floors, which really helps with moisture issues. Before that, we made sure to grade the exterior for drainage, updated the gutters, and installed drain tiles and a sump pump. Honestly, our basement has stayed completely dry for over a decade!