What should I finish my basement with, its gross cinderblock walls and mildewy and very very old?

Answer 1

Clean, then water proof with Thero-seal and then paint with a mason paint semi gloss, if you wish for a nicer look, in place of the paint there are overlays that come in many colors and textures, contact a concrete contractor that does stamp work and overlays, but use the thero-seal first no matter what, 2 thin coats would be best nothing will bleed through.

Answer 2

If the wall has mildew, then you have moisture. You need to locate the source of the moisture before you do anything else. The most likely cause is from storm water run off from your roof. Make sure the water from the roof is routed at least 18" (check local codes to make sure) by using gutters and downspouts.

If storm water run off is not the problem, you may need a professional to come in and give you an estimate on stopping the seepage.

Once you stop the moisture seepage, put several coats of a water sealer made for basements. Some of them allow you to paint over the moist wall. Do not do this until you locate the source of the seepage!! Once you get the wall adequately sealed, then you may choose how to finish it.

Another option on sealing is acid dye techniques commonly used on floors. The dye sprays on with a garden sprayer. Allow it to dry for the time printed on the label. Add more if you want the wall darker, or move on to the sealing process. Choose a sealer that gives you a bit of a glossy finish and that should seal the wall from moisture seepage. When you finish you may have a marbled looking cement block wall. Choose the right color combinations and you may have one with a pretty granite-slab-like look. If you do this process yourself, the cost is not that much different from sealing the wall and then painting it with a quality paint.

Consider that same type of finish on the cement slap floor. Once you have it all finished, you may want to move your living room to the basement! This acid dye technique works great on all cement slab floors. For those with allergies, this is the ticket, as the upkeep only requires reapplying the sealer/finish every 3 to 5 years. More often if this is a high traffic area. If you get tired of the look, spread the plastic sheets for flooring and then install your carpet with a quality pad. When you get tired of the carpet, you have an instant floor under the plastic. The most you might need for it to look good again is a refinish of the sealer.

Good luck!

Will D
Enterprise AL
http://www.notagz.com

Answer 3

Clean with a bleach solution and then dry with fans blowing on the wall. Next apply Dryloc to the walls give them a good coating and apply according to the directions.

Good Luck
http://www.atlantiswaterproofing.com/wpqa.cfm

Answer 4

At the very least, put up drywall

Answer 5

Call a professional..