What Causes Peeling Paint On Basement Walls In Michigan?

Has the paint on your basement walls started to peel? This can make the space look uncared for and unfinished, even if you spent a lot of time painting. There are a few different reasons why paint peels on basement walls in Michigan, and most of them are easy to correct. Here are some tips to get you started.

Moisture Buildup

Moisture in the walls can cause paint to peel. If you do not have a vapor barrier or basement waterproofing systems in place, water will seep into the pores of your concrete. This gets behind the paint and loosens the adhesive holding it in place. Think about trying to put a sticker over a damp or wet surface. It’s not going to have anything to grip onto, so it won’t stick well to the area. The paint is trying to do the same thing.

You can correct this issue with basement waterproofing, like the services we provide at Tom’s Basement Waterproofing. We work with homes and businesses in many areas of Michigan, and we would be happy to give you a free quote.

Foundation Settling

Every building experiences settling. The ground below the building takes time to adjust to the weight of it, so the structure will slowly seep into the ground. This can cause some foundation shifting, which may result in peeled paint on your basement walls.

If the effects of settling are minor, you may be able to just apply new paint and go with it. For more significant issues though, you may need foundation repair and foundation leveling. The price range for foundation leveling varies depending on how bad the damage is. Tom’s Basement Waterproofing offers foundation piering and other foundation repair services for buildings in Michigan. We will let you know exactly what it will take to get your home the support it needs.

Improper Application

If the paint was applied when it was too cold or humid, it may not stick well. The best thing to do is to remove the paint and start over at that point because painting the patches will not result in a smooth finish. If you plan on adding sheetrock or something else to the basement walls, you could wait to paint when that happens. Just make sure the new paint is applied in the right environment so you don’t have to deal with this again in the future.