How To Complete The Interior Side Of A Reinforced Masonry Concrete Wall?

Attach drywall or gypsum wallboard panels to interior exposed ICF walls using drywall screws. Cover the panels with three thin coats of joint compound, letting each coat dry for 24 hours before applying the next. Paint the walls 24 hours after applying the last coat of compound. Remove mortar and debris from the cores so they are free to be grouted. Form the interior side of the core using a piece of plywood held in place against the wall with masonry screws. Pump a fluid grout into the core in 2-foot lifts.

To finish exposed ICF walls, there are three main ways: painting, pargeting, and wood paneling and drywall. Reinforcing a block masonry wall from the ground up includes reinforcing steal, grouting a block wall with concrete, and join. Prime the concrete wall by spreading cement onto the wall, removing excess cement, and applying a thick enough coat to cover the surface.

Reinforced masonry can be fully or partially grouted, with the exterior face being treated as the weathering side of the wall or a drainage side. The main/primary layer of reinforcement should be placed on the face of the wall that the load is acting on. External walls are joined in places by cross ribs, with a larger steel flat used as vertical reinforcement.

Prepare the wall surface by removing debris and applying a bonding agent. Secure reinforcing mesh or bars firmly in place before installing. For reinforced masonry construction, the reinforcing bars must be properly located to be fully functional. This section provides specifications, design tables, and typical details for a range of reinforced concrete masonry retaining walls and their associated details.

How to finish interior concrete walls?

Concrete block interior walls can be finished using three main methods: painting, pargeting, and wood paneling/drywall. However, these methods can be improved using different Semco applications to create a faster, more efficient, more waterproof, and more convenient method. Painting is the simplest method, ideal for those who prefer a colorful coat on the concrete without worrying about exposed concrete or visible joints. Priming is the only slightly complex step, and using a water-based latex primer and finishing paint is recommended.

Once primed, the wall can be treated like a blank canvas, providing a more visually appealing and functional finish. By incorporating different Semco applications, concrete block interior walls can be treated as a blank canvas, enhancing their overall aesthetic appeal.

How to finish an interior wall?

To complete the installation of drywall, it is necessary to inspect the walls, mix the joint compound if required, spread a thin layer over screw holes, tape seams between sheets, apply the first coat of compound, sand the first coat, apply the second coat, and finally apply the finish coat.

How do you fix an interior concrete wall?

To repair a broken or cracked concrete wall, first remove loose or flaky pieces of concrete with a trowel. Level out irregularities with a high-grit sanding pad. Apply a thin layer of mortar to fill in any cracks or rough spots. Clean the surface with a broom or a garden hose to remove any loose dirt, dust, or debris. Once all exposed areas are cleaned, use a trowel to complete the repair process.

What is the best finish for concrete walls?

Concrete wall finishes offer a wide range of aesthetic possibilities, from the classic smooth finish for a sleek and contemporary look, to the more modern and decorative options like exposed aggregate finish, stamped concrete finish, broom finish, polished concrete finish, stained concrete finish, and salt finish. The choice of the right concrete wall finish can significantly impact the visual appeal of a space, whether indoors or outdoors.

Smooth finishes, achieved by troweling the concrete during the finishing process, are popular for interior floors, countertops, and decorative concrete applications, providing a clean and sophisticated appearance.

How do you waterproof a concrete wall from the inside?

To waterproof concrete walls from the interior, follow these steps:

1. Prepare the substrate by ensuring it is clean, dry, and free of previous products, foreign matter, and loose or crumbling material.
2. Prime the substrate by applying a coat of PermaFlex® (240 sq ft per gal).
3. Patch the surface with a coat of PermaFlex®, then apply a topcoat of 1 coat.
4. Topcoat the wall with 1 coat of PermaFlex®, covering 240 sq ft per gal.

In summary, waterproofing concrete walls from the interior requires a thorough preparation process, including preparing the substrate, priming the surface, patching, and applying a topcoat.

Should you seal interior concrete walls?

To waterproof basement walls, apply a high-quality waterproof paint like DRYLOK White Extreme Waterproofer to the interior of the walls. This product comes premixed and is applied like a coat of paint, filling all surface holes and allowing it to dry completely before applying a second coat. A 5-gallon container covers about 500 square feet of wall.

Do not apply sealer over painted walls or efflorescence. If you or a previous owner painted the basement walls, remove the paint before applying sealer, which only adheres well to bare masonry. Effluence, or white deposits on concrete walls subject to constant moisture, should also be removed before applying sealer with muriatic acid.

To keep water away from your basement, remove foundation plantings and flowerbeds that require watering, inspect and repair gutters and downspouts, and grade your yard away from the foundation at a minimum of a 2 percent slope. Consider having an exterior drain tile system installed, which can cost $10, 000 or more and requires excavating soil around the outside of the basement to install a perforated drain at the footing level. A waterproof membrane is often installed on the outside of the basement wall, and a buried sump pump is pumped to the surface.

Additionally, consider installing a drainage channel beneath the floor inside the basement. This drain is similar to the exterior drain tile but located just inside the basement walls. New walls are built on the inside of the drain, preventing residual water from seeping through the old basement walls. This job is typically done by a foundation contractor and costs around $5, 000.

How do you cover concrete walls inside?

Concrete block walls are often used in construction, but their appearance can diminish curb appeal and resale value. Covering them can improve outdoor space appeal and prevent cracking, rot, mold, and structural failures due to moisture infiltration. Permeable concrete absorbs water, expanding pores, and damages the concrete. Oil settlement and hydrostatic pressure can lead to hairline cracks and leaks.

To protect the concrete block wall, contractors can use decorative stucco, vinyl siding, artificial stone panels, natural stone, and natural green coverings. Polyguard recommends using a quality sealant like Airlok Flex® VP to maximize moisture resistance.

How do you fix a crumbling interior concrete wall?

To patch a concrete surface, first remove loose material and dust with a paint scraper. Use masonry or concrete repair mixes or buy concrete bonding agent and mortar. Brush the bonding agent onto the old concrete and let it sit until tacky. Mix the mortar or patching concrete with water until it’s peanut butter-like consistency. Spread it on with a trowel and smooth the surface. For extensive patch jobs, thin the mortar to create slurry and brush it on. Once dry, seal the patch with a coat of waterproofing compound or paint.

How to plaster interior concrete walls?

When plastering concrete, use mixtures like flint aggregate, apply a chemical release agent instead of mold oils, check for contaminants, clean dense surfaces, apply plaster with forceful pressure, and inspect for hollowness when the plaster dries out and when heating the building. Gradually increase the temperature instead of abruptly heating. Take precautions like ventilation, wearing an EN 149 Class FFP1 half-face mask if dust cannot be managed, using waterproof gloves, protective overalls, and safety footwear, applying barrier cream to hands, and using safety eyewear if plaster powder or splashes are expected. Meoded, an industry leader in Lime-based Venetian plastering, offers products for commercial and residential clients.

Can you waterproof a concrete wall from the inside?

If a foil test confirms water seepage in basement walls, remove existing paint and seal the interior with a waterproof product. This creates a watertight bond, preventing water seepage. Gutters and downspouts channel water away from the house, maintaining structural health. If you lack gutters or sump pumps, consider adding them. If already installed, fasten metal or plastic extensions to capture runoff or excess water and drain it away from the base.