Hi,
My house has living space below-grade with concrete block walls. Currently covered with drywall.
The concrete block wall probably isn't leaking or cracking. At least, looking at part of that wall which is not covered with drywall, I don't see any sign of leaking or cracks.
But, moisture comes in at the bottom of the wall when it rains. It's not wet like a shower, but the grout in the tile floor is darkened from moisture seeping in. And every few years when there's a very heavy rain, water can literally come up through the tile floor.
I don't think the basic dampness problem is going to be fixed. That wall is not going to be safe for drywall, whatever I do.
So I'm inclined to take the drywall off and plaster the concrete blocks.
It's super-important that the wall not grow mold, because I'm allergic. I have a dehumidifier in there, and that discourages mold on exposed surfaces.
So what kind of plaster should I use for this? I saw online a waterproofing additive that can be added to cement plaster. They say that with the additive it won't grow mold. And I read that lime plasters like Tadelakt can be waterproof. If the Izonil waterproof plaster that I linked to is available from other sources, please let me know.
I'm a totally new at plaster. But I'm patient. The area I'd be plastering is roughly 100 sq ft. I'd like the wall to be nice and flat, but if it doesn't come out good enough I could tile over the plaster.
thanks
Laura
My house has living space below-grade with concrete block walls. Currently covered with drywall.
The concrete block wall probably isn't leaking or cracking. At least, looking at part of that wall which is not covered with drywall, I don't see any sign of leaking or cracks.
But, moisture comes in at the bottom of the wall when it rains. It's not wet like a shower, but the grout in the tile floor is darkened from moisture seeping in. And every few years when there's a very heavy rain, water can literally come up through the tile floor.
I don't think the basic dampness problem is going to be fixed. That wall is not going to be safe for drywall, whatever I do.
So I'm inclined to take the drywall off and plaster the concrete blocks.
It's super-important that the wall not grow mold, because I'm allergic. I have a dehumidifier in there, and that discourages mold on exposed surfaces.
So what kind of plaster should I use for this? I saw online a waterproofing additive that can be added to cement plaster. They say that with the additive it won't grow mold. And I read that lime plasters like Tadelakt can be waterproof. If the Izonil waterproof plaster that I linked to is available from other sources, please let me know.
I'm a totally new at plaster. But I'm patient. The area I'd be plastering is roughly 100 sq ft. I'd like the wall to be nice and flat, but if it doesn't come out good enough I could tile over the plaster.
thanks
Laura