Paint a CMU Building
Project Scenario
Polly, a property manager has on old cinderblock building downtown that she would like to get painted and address a water issue coming through the walls.
Preparation
- Pressure wash all bare block surfaces until all dirt and efflorescense are removed.
- Pressure wash painted surface of building and remove as much peeling paint as possible.
- Use mildew retardant solution if necessary. Rinse and let dry thoroughly.
- Hand scrape painted wall until no more paint will come off.
- Patch all cracks that are more than 1/16 inch with knife grade elastomeric caulking.
- Caulk all windows, doors, and joins.
- Check walls for moisture before coating. Determine and correct the source of moisture before painting.
Caution! Things to consider
- Metal flashing should extend 6 inches from the roof cap and be snug against the building. Paint top section of wall before re-installation.
- Caulk the cap with Dap Dynaflex 230 caulking to make sure no water can get underneath and into the wall.
- Keep in mind that for every 10 mph that rain is driven into a wall, it can climb 1 inch. A 30 mph wind can drive rain 3 inches under a cap.
- When using heavy bodies materials, make sure you use a pump big enough to move the material. Use a large diameter hose and remove all your pump filters and gun filters before you begin.
- For waterproofing, a "pin-hole" free film is crucial.
- Check coverage rates and dry film thickness requirements carefully.
- Textured elastomeric is available.
- Correct mortar issues with Rockite.
