Several years ago you came by by home on Mississippi Lake for a home inspection shortly after it was completed. At that time, the basement had been painted (latex) and you had indicated that we probably should have waited. Unfortunately it had already been done by the contractor. As you correctly indicated, it still has not dried after more than four years. We were thinking of finishing part of the basement by gyprocking the walls and ceiling and carpeting the floors. How should we prepare the basement floor given this problem? I suppose the we could wash the floor down with hot soapy water or TSP and mop up the watery paint mix or get heavy duty heaters or driers and try to dry the floor before we carpet. Any thoughts?
Answer:
You won't like my thoughts. The paint has all to come off and how you do that will be dictated by the manufacturer of the paint that's there. The builder should be able to put you in touch with the people who did the job so you can arrange for a proper nuetralizer and removal of all of it. I fear covering it because the chemical reaction between paint and whatever you lay over it may cause more problems than just aesthetics. Some of these projects can give off gasses you and your family won't want to be ingesting. Once it has all been removed, the same manufacturer will be able to tell you how long to wait before you cover it again.
