Painting your basement can be somewhat of a challenging task; however it is completely do-able. Concrete walls are common for most basements and before you begin, there are certain steps that need to be done before the paint meets the wall. In honor of Preparedness Month, Glenview painters have put together these tips will help you get your basement ready for a fresh coat of paint.

• Remove any furniture. The first step to preparing a room for a paint job is to make sure that it is clear of any furniture and other items that can create obstacles. Removing items from the space will make painting easier and help protect these items from any splatters or accidental spills. For larger pieces that may be permanent fixtures in your basement, like a bar or entertainment center, use a covering to help protect these items during the painting process. The same type of covering can be used to protect flooring as well.
• Tape around the edges. Painters tape will help you make clean, precise lines when you paint. If you plan to paint only one wall, it’s a good idea to tape the corner where the walls meet to ensure the paint only makes it on the desired area. If you have floor trimmings that you want to protect, use the tape to secure the plastic floor covering to the top edge of the floor trim. Tape can also be used to achieve crisp lines, so before you begin taping, come up with a plan as to which areas need to be taped off.
• Repair any damage. If your basement walls are made of concrete, it’s important to repair any holes and deep scratches in the walls prior to adding coats of paint. Holes and cracks will allow some moisture back in, and must be filled in to prevent problems with mold. You can simply fill in holes using the traditional spackling method, and then sand the area down once the spackle dries.
• Clean the walls. In order for the paint to adhere properly to your basement walls, whether they are concrete or drywall, they’ll need to be cleaned off first. If not properly wiped clean of dust and debris, a new coat of paint runs the risk of peeling, cracking, and bubbling. To avoid this issue, strip the walls of old paint, glue, and other debris, then wipe with a damp cloth to remove dust. Once the wall is dry, you can begin the painting process.
• Prime, then paint. The last step to prep your basement for a new coat of paint it to prime. This is especially important for concrete walls, as there may be some staining that needs covering. Once the primer has been applied and allowed time to dry, you can begin the painting process with the color of your choice.

With these tips, your basement will be ready to be transformed with a new coat of paint. Remember that having the walls painted in your basement is a good way to keep moisture out, especially with concrete walls, so it’s important to properly prepare prior to painting!