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MrWonka
02-05-05, 12:14 PM
Greetings.
My girlfriend recently bought a house so I am helping with some home improvements. The house is about 60 years old and the basement has block walls. The walls were painted at some point and now some of the paint is coming right off due to some mold and some of the blocks have a slightly crumbly surface. The rest of the paint is stuck really good. Also there are maybe 2 or 3 cracks in joints throughout the basement. So overall they are in good condition. I was recently told that i may want to first, use a stripper or sander to remove all of the paint. second, wire mesh and parge the walls with cement, and third, coat with a dry-lock or Thoroseal to keep mold out. This basement is not going to be finished so it doesn't have to look too pretty. I was wondering if this is an accurate course of action.
Also there is a bit of water coming in from the floor where a crack or hole had some cement ploped onto it, and where the floor was apparently dug up to place a pipe for a newer heating system. This pipe was covered with cement. Is there a way to prevent water from coming in from these spots.
Any advice and pointers are GREATLY APPRECIATED.. I thank you so much.

MrWonka :confused:

majakdragon
02-06-05, 04:19 AM
MrWonka, Welcome to the DIY Forums.
Stripping paint off of a concrete block wall is a LOT of work. Personally, I would concentrate on the moldy areas with a bleach and water solution. Then apply Dri-Loc or other product. See if this cures the water seepage in those areas. Where the pipe is in concrete, I would make a good size channel in the existing hole and fill with Hydraulic cement. This will swell up and should make a seal there. Good luck with your project.