by: GabriellePosted on:

How To Finish Concrete Basement Walls

How To Finish Concrete Basement Walls

Do you want to give an exquisite look to your concrete basement walls? If you have already figured out the necessity but are confused about how to finish your concrete basement walls and improve their aesthetic, you are in the right place.

It is a lot easier to finish the walls than it sounds. Follow the steps below, and you will be successful and satisfied with the result!

Start With Fixing Moisture Problem

Rainwater, pipe leakage or faulty window creates moisture on the concrete wall. Therefore, you need to check the wall how much moisture it soaks. If you want to fix this problem, you can call for an expert or solve it yourself. What you need is to do some exterior drain tiling or waterproofing. However, if you think that the moisture is caused by pipe leakage, fix that as soon as possible.

Besides, if your basement has window wells, try to caulk them with silicone. We suggest you use silicone caulk because it is water-resistant and provides a firm hold against adverse weather. You can also check the cheapest way of leveling a concrete floor. 

Fill The Holes

If there are any holes in your concrete basement walls, you need to fix that too. Hydraulic cement is the most effective material to fill in the holes. This task is easy, and you can do it yourself. All you need is to purchase a bag of hydraulic cement and make a paste with water.

The proportion should be 4 part cement with 1 part water. Then, spray water on the place where you will apply the cement. Now, use a trowel to paste the thick mixture against the wall, press it firmly and let it dry hard. Make sure to fill the holes with the trowel and spread the scrape on the wall.

However, if your basement wall does not have any holes, you can skip this step.

Apply Masonry Sealer

After the hydraulic cement is entirely dry, apply a sealer. You will find it available in any hardware store. You can easily use a sealer using a paintbrush or roller as it comes in a paint-like liquid formula. You need to dip the paintbrush or roller in the sealer and brush it vertically against the wall. Keep doing it till you cover the entire wall.

While working with the sealer, do not forget to wear a facemask, and hand gloves and cover your eyes with eyeglasses to avoid accidents. Once you are done covering the wall, let it dry completely. Generally, it takes 3 to 4 hours to dry. But if the wall feels tacky, give it a long time to rest.

Read more about building a subfloor over an uneven concrete floor.

Install Foam Board

After the sealer is completely dry, it is time to install the foam insulation on your wall. Measure the entire wall and buy waterproof XPS foam insulation according to your need. Now apply a foam adhesive on the whole back of the foam and start applying it on the wall.

You can start on one end of the wall and gradually cover the entire wall. Make sure to press the insulation against the wall and hold it for 1 or 2 minutes until it sticks.

Construct Wall Frame

Now, build a wall frame with wood and place it against the wall. To make this work more manageable, you can construct the structure on the ground and pin it on the wall.

Then, make a hole through the frame using a drilling machine and ensure the holes go at the end of the foam board. Keep on making holes in each 15-20 inches down the board length and attach spring spikes. In this way, you will be able to secure the foam board to the wall.

Apply Drywall

Now, apply adhesive to the frame and stick drywall. Make sure to use enough glue and hold the drywall against the frame for 1 or 2 minutes till it sticks properly. After the bond is wholly set, screw the wall with the wood structure.

After completing all the steps above, you can paint the wall or stick a wallpaper according to your preference.

Final Words

A concrete basement finish is an essential aspect of your interior. If you know the entire finishing steps of concrete basement walls, you will be able to prevent the wall from damaging or growing mildew.

If you follow the above steps carefully, you will definitely be proud of whatever you have done.