Basements are naturally damp which leads to a musty odor and the possibility of mold and mildew. Most homeowners wish to keep dampness to a minimum to avoid these issues. One of the best ways to rid yourself of a leaking basement is to choose a good basement wall waterproofing paint. Before you make a decision on the right basement waterproofing paint, it is a good idea to know what to look for.
Basement Wall Waterproofing Paint
Drylok Basement Paint
Drylok paint is highly lauded as one of the best basement waterproofing paints available. If you ask a contractor what they would use to seal basement walls, it is likely Drylok will be the answer. Drylok basement paint comes with a bit of sticker shock. It is extremely high priced, but with good reason. Do not walk away from it because you think it is overpriced. The adage that you get what you pay for is true in this instance.
Types of Drylok Basement Paint Available
UGL Drylok White Latex Base Masonry Waterproofing Paint- UGL drylok white latex base masonry waterproofing paint is a low odor paint. That is a very important point to consider. Regular basement waterproofing paints have an extremely strong odor to it. That makes it difficult to be in the room for long periods of time while painting and for days afterwards. In addition to being low odor, this paint can stand up to 10 pounds of hydrostatic pressure. In other words, a wall of water 22 feet high would not break through basement walls painted with it. This particular paint easily cleans up with soap and water. White is a nice bright color for the basement, but it comes in three other colors that will please the homeowner. This formula comes with a ten year guarantee.
Designer Drylok Latex Base Masonry Waterproofing Paint- There are two colors to choose from with this waterproofing paint. It is more decorative than all the other paints. The paint gives a speckled look to the basement walls. It is great for jobs where the walls have a number of imperfections the homeowner would like to cover up. It looks nicer but is better used for a second coat to a tougher Drylok paint. It is comes ready mixed so it is easy to get started.
Drylok Powdered Masonry Waterproofing Paint- Powdered Drylok is the economical way to waterproof the basement. It is only recommended to use this paint after a heavier Drylok is used for the base coat. It only comes in the color white and is not as superior as the other types of Drylok available.
Drylok Extreme Latex Base Masonry Waterproofer- The extreme version of Drylok is supreme to all others. It is guaranteed for a full 15 years. It is the strongest Drylok obtainable, which means it is the most expensive. The question is¸ do you want to take the chance on purchasing the cheaper Drylok paints when there is one that promises to keep the basement the driest? The extreme version is definitely the way to go when choosing basement waterproofing paint for extremely damp basements.
Zinsser Waterproofing Paint
Zinsser Watertite paint is a product from the same makers of RustOleum. RustOleum has been a trusted product for years to keep rust away, but does Zinsser waterproofing paint for basement walls do the same to keep water out of the basement? This company is known for strong products that work hard, giving the purchaser more peace of mind.
Types of Zinsser Waterproofing Paint
Zinsser Flexible Primer and Finish- This paint acts as a primer and a finishing paint. The first coat gets the wall ready for the final coat. You do not have to purchase two different types of paint in order to finish the walls if you choose this particular paint. It comes with a 10 year guarantee against moisture and mildew.
Watertite LV Waterproofing Concrete Masonry Paint- This paint is specifically for concrete (although it can be used on other surfaces). It is also backed by a 10 year warranty against water. There is a little texture to this particular paint, which homeowners should be aware of before purchasing. It is a low odor paint, which makes it desirable.
Watertite Mold and Mildew Proof Waterproofing Paint- This paint is guaranteed to keep mold and mildew away for five years. It has a lifetime guarantee against water. That is the best guarantee offered on waterproofing paint. It contains a cement to help seal out water. It is also a low odor paint. In fact, the odor is lower in this paint than in latex paint.
Watertite LX Mold and Mildew Proof Waterproofing Paint- This paint has a 5 year mold and mildew guarantee and 15 year water guarantee. It is a low odor latex paint which is great for closed in areas like the basement.
There are four ways to choose a waterproofing paint for the basement. There may be some restrictions for homeowners, for instance, financially; some paints are much more expensive than others. If money is no object, the paint can be chosen with other things in mind.
Which basement waterproofing paint works best for your situation?
Cost- Drylok is a bit more expensive than Zinsser. Drylok is well worth the price of the paint though. It is recommended by most professionals as the best brand when it comes to sealing water out of the basement. Even slight dampness equals mold and mildew eventually. Since Drylok keeps water out so effectively, mold and mildew will not be an issue. Always take time to calculate your basement waterproofing cost. If the homeowner does not have the funds to purchase Drylok products, Zinsser does a good job and is much better than leaving the basement walls unprotected.
Guarantee- Both Drylok and Zinsser have great guarantees. Drylok’s highest guarantee is fifteen years. One of the Zinsser paints has a lifetime guarantee against water. Both brands are trusted names. The paint can be counted on to get the job done right. A guarantee proves that a company is willing to stand behind their product which goes a long way in gaining the trust of customers.
Recommendations- Drylok wins hands down in this area. People who have used the product give it glowing reports for keeping the basement dry. Reviews for Zinsser are difficult to find. Professionals suggest Drylok nearly every time. In fact, some professionals say Drylok is the only brand to use.
Appearance- Depending on what the basement is used for, the homeowner may wish to use a paint that looks nice as well as functions as a waterproofer. Drylok, once again, wins hands down. Drylok has several different colors available, including a speckled version. Zinsser is very limited on choices. If the basement is to be finished for living space, Drylok may be the best choice.
Now that you have had a good look at the different paints that could be used to shut out the dampness in the basement, it is time to narrow down the choices and come to a decision. Consider all of the above factors when making the final decision on basement wall waterproofing paint. Having a clear goal as to what role the basement will play in the home can seal the deal.
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