I own a 1940s home with a basement. The walls in some areas of the basement were bowing, which is common here in western Pennsylvania due to wet soil and collapse of the terra cota exterior footer drainpipe. SO we all get interior french drains...
I want to furnish the basement again by framing, hanging drywall and placing an engineered wood floor.
I now have an interior french drain with only a few inches of concrete over the drain trough. The drain was installed 2.5 years ago and there has never been water in the sump. The concrete floor was painted in the past but much of that pain is no longer present. The floor is a very smooth concrete, with no cracks, no flaking, and no evidence of moisture.
1. Should I use concrete sealer on the entire floor?
2. If so, should I use a sealer or a dryloc-type paint product?
3. Do I need to remove all of the existing paint, or can I leave and seal over any intact paint?
4. Any feelings on engineered hardwood? I don't think that it is a truly wet location.
I want to furnish the basement again by framing, hanging drywall and placing an engineered wood floor.
I now have an interior french drain with only a few inches of concrete over the drain trough. The drain was installed 2.5 years ago and there has never been water in the sump. The concrete floor was painted in the past but much of that pain is no longer present. The floor is a very smooth concrete, with no cracks, no flaking, and no evidence of moisture.
1. Should I use concrete sealer on the entire floor?
2. If so, should I use a sealer or a dryloc-type paint product?
3. Do I need to remove all of the existing paint, or can I leave and seal over any intact paint?
4. Any feelings on engineered hardwood? I don't think that it is a truly wet location.