Painting the Foundation Tips. Foundation painting can improve the appearances of a house. Rather than leaving the home setting on a boring gray foundation, the owner can pick virtually any color of the rainbow to coordinate with the remainder of the home. There are a few tips for the best results, so keep these in mind.
Wait for Concrete to Cure Before Foundation Painting
The concrete needs time to cure before the very first painting. Painting professionals recommend giving the material a minimum of two years of curing time prior to the first paint job. Newly poured concrete is very acidic in nature, but as time passes, the acid in the material reacts with carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to neutralize the concrete. Painting over the surface too early will only lead to blistering and peeling paint, offering the foundation an undesirable appearance.
Preparation for Foundation Painting
Prepare the foundation by using a shovel to pull dirt away where the concrete meets the ground. This allows you to paint without dirt entering the roller or brush. Weeds ought to additionally be removed as they can cause problems when applying paint.
Cleaning Prior to Foundation Painting
Some foundations may be grimy, have moss growing on them or have peeling paint. Most dirt can be washed away using a garden hose with an attached spray nozzle at an extremely hard pressure setting. In some instances it may be necessary to scrub the surface using a wire brush or broom. If using these tools provides, a pressure washer may be useful. The pressure washing machine is additionally useful at blasting away peeling paint and moss growth. Once the surface is clean, allow for drying of the concrete prior to applying paint. If you used a pressure washing machine, allow a minimum of one week for drying.
Applying the New Coat of Paint
Once the foundation has time to dry, start painting. On foundations made of concrete block, paint the joints first using a brush and then paint the rest of the foundation using a roller. On poured concrete foundations, start with the roller. If the foundation has never ever been painted before, the first coat may call for a significant amount of paint. Primer is readily available and can be used for the very first coat. Once the first coat has finished drying, apply the second coat and allow to dry. A brush can be used to cut in the edges and the top where the foundation meets the rest of the house.
Foundation painting can give a home a much more finished appearance. If the foundation is stained or made from stone that no longer match the rest of the residence, paint can quickly improve the property to make the house look much better with greater curb appeal.