Basement Mold Prevention?

Hi guys - I've got a couple different types of mold in my basement.

I have one dehumidifier but it may not be enough - I'm going to look up the model number and find out how many square feet it's supposed to be good for and possibly get another one.

My question is mostly about the flooring - whatever the previous owners painted on the concrete floor is rubbing off. I'm assuming it was some sort of basement-sealing paint. I've been looking around a bit and really like the epoxy floor sealing treatments (https://armorpoxy.com/interior/basements/). Anybody have any experience with this stuff? Is it something that would have to be professionally done? Seems like it would work a lot better and last a lot longer than just a coat or two of 'waterproof' paint.

Let me know your thoughts! Thanks!

Cynthia

 

It's unlikely, though possible, that it's epoxy. It's probably a more "normal" single part type of floor paint. No paint will stick well to a concrete floor with water vapor coming up from below and that includes epoxy. In some cases epoxy may fare worse than cheaper, traditional paints.

Really the only way to stop water vapor from coming up through a concrete slab is to install a vapor barrier prior to pouring the concrete. Most older homes did not have a vapor barrier installed. So, no floor coating will withstand the vapor pressure of water from below forever so I'd go with a traditional floor paint and spare the extreme floor prep requirements of epoxy.

The other option is to go with a flooring system intended for basements. There are systems with a plastic base that acts as a vapor barrier and have treated wood on the top. They come in squares and you cut them to shape and cover the entire floor then can put a pretty floor covering on top. It's best to be sitting down when you start checking pricing.

 

Aarrgg . . . ok . . . So I found this DryLok option that specifically says it's for concrete floors, but I'm not seeing any prep instructions. (https://www.globalindustrial.com/p/j...YaAifTEALw_wcB)

I also found this stuff (SEAL-KRETE® | How To Waterproof A Basement) but it says prep includes removing efflorescence?? By scrubbing with a wire brush and some sort of acid? Followed by neutralization? Would I have to do all of that no matter what type of paint I put down?

Cynthia

 

The other problem you have is the existing paint, water vapor aside the floor has to be virgin so all that existing paint has to be mechanically removed.

Had my garage done 2 years ago so it was ground down, big mess in a garage, wouldn't like to have that done in my basement!

 

Oh and all around the base of the walls there is this hard plastic 'lining'! What is this? It's not seamless (as you can tell in the pic) so it's not gonna keep water out! In fact, the folds just look like the perfect spot for moisture to collect! Especially between the plastic and the wall! I probably can't remove it, though - just paint over/around/behind it?

Cynthia

 

I know, Marq!! No matter what I do, I'm still going to have to somehow scrape up all the old paint!? There's nothing that can just go over the old paint? What a nightmare . . .

Cynthia

 

And here's some of the mold I've got, if anyone cares . . .

Cynthia

 

I'm not a pro, but I think that regardless of what you put down, the mold will come back if the conditions are right for it to grow. Mold spores are floating around in the air all the time. If you just want to get rid of the mold, getting the moisture down and scrubbing it off should take care of it.

 

Well I know all that - and I am in the process of scrubbing everything down with vinegar and getting a new/second dehumidifier, but the floor still needs re-painted (or whatever) and I want to use the right stuff and do it right . . .

Cynthia

 

Water is something that must be stopped from the outside. Once it gets into the slab or basement walls it's essentially inside your home. I have never found a paint or troweled on product that works reliably from the inside. All the paints and coatings that guarantee to stop water and water vapor that I have tried have failed. Some lasted several years but I've not found one that made it to 10 years without being a mess at that point. The killer is that once something has been applied it's a massive project to clean and prep for another try. Now I just go quick and easy with a more traditional paint for appearance but not as a water barrier.

 

That sucks, but I totally believe what you're saying. Ok I'll figure something out. Thanks for the input guys!

Cynthia