Like most questions, the answer can be yes and no, depending on the extent of your problem. If you are going to leave a basement wall exposed (not finished with studs and drywall) and the only concern you have is increased humidity in the room, then yes, those products can help reduce the amount of humidity and make you less dependent upon dehumidifiers. When applied properly, waterproof paint can reduce the amount of water vapor passing through the wall and evaporating into the air inside the room.
If, on the other hand, your walls are damp to the touch, or if you plan to install drywall and studs, then you are far better off fixing the problem some other way. The problem is that paint will give way to the hydro-static pressure exerted by water that finds it’s way to the inside wall. In a finished basement, the wall must, out of necessity, stay “bone-dry”. That’s because building products can support mold growth when damp conditions exist behind the wall. That’s where the “damp basement” smell usually comes from.
What are the other ways of “fixing” the walls to prevent mold and mildew? Stay tuned!
