Basecrete Foundation Wall Coating in Portland & Wilsonville

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At Foundations First Northwest, we apply Basecrete coating to protect foundation walls in crawl spaces and basements. This waterproofing skim coat creates a moisture barrier that prevents water infiltration and protects your home’s structural integrity.

What Is Basecrete?

Basecrete is a specialized coating applied directly to concrete foundation walls. It comes in two parts—a liquid component and a dry mix—that blend together to form a protective layer over your walls.

Think of it as a waterproof skin for your foundation. The coating seals porous concrete and creates a barrier against moisture, mold, and deterioration. Unlike plastic vapor barriers that hang on walls, Basecrete bonds directly to the concrete surface.

Foundation walls face constant exposure to moisture from the soil. Water seeps through concrete pores and brings problems with it—mold growth, musty smells, wood rot, and structural damage.

Unprotected concrete absorbs water like a sponge. In Oregon’s wet climate, this moisture creates ideal conditions for mold and mildew. The dampness also weakens concrete over time and can damage wooden floor joists and support posts.

Basecrete stops moisture at the source. By sealing the wall surface, water can’t penetrate into your crawl space or basement. This keeps your foundation dry and your home healthy.

• Crawl Space Foundation Walls Crawl space walls are especially vulnerable to moisture. These walls sit below grade, surrounded by damp soil. Basecrete coating protects them from water infiltration and prevents the musty smells that often come from wet crawl spaces. We clean the walls thoroughly before application. Any debris, dirt, or loose material gets removed. The wall surface needs to be moist but not soaked—this helps the Basecrete bond properly.
• Basement Stem Walls Basement walls benefit from Basecrete coating too. Whether you have a finished or unfinished basement, protecting the foundation walls prevents moisture problems before they start. The coating works particularly well on older concrete that shows signs of dampness or minor deterioration. It seals small cracks and creates a uniform, waterproof surface.

Our application process ensures proper coverage and long-lasting protection.

Preparation

We start by preparing the wall surface. This means removing any loose paint, efflorescence, or debris. The walls get cleaned and dampened to the right moisture level—not too wet, not too dry.

Mixing

Basecrete requires precise mixing. We pour the liquid component into our mixing container first, then add the dry mix on top. No additional water goes in. The mixture should reach a milkshake-like consistency.

The standard ratio is one gallon of liquid Basecrete per 50-pound bag of dry mix. This covers 40-50 square feet at 1/8 inch thickness. After initial mixing, we let it sit for four minutes, then re-mix for one minute.

Application Methods

We can apply Basecrete three ways:

• Troweling: This method gives the thickest coverage at 1/8 inch per coat. We spread the mixture evenly across the wall using a trowel. This works well for rough surfaces.
• Spraying: With a sprayer, we apply thinner coats at 1/16 inch. This method covers large areas quickly and creates a smooth finish.
• Rolling: A roller applies 1/16 inch coats. We make two passes—one vertical, one horizontal. This ensures even coverage.

Benefits of Basecrete Coating

Foundation wall coating provides several advantages:

• Moisture Barrier: The coating blocks water from seeping through concrete pores. This keeps your crawl space or basement dry.
• Mold Prevention: By stopping moisture, Basecrete prevents the damp conditions where mold thrives. No moisture means no mold growth.
• Surface Protection: The coating protects concrete from deterioration caused by constant moisture exposure. This extends your foundation’s lifespan.
• Improved Air Quality: A dry foundation means better air quality in your home. You won’t deal with musty odors from damp concrete.

Post-Application Care

Basecrete needs time to cure properly. If you plan to paint over the coating later, wait four weeks. Before painting, saturate the surface with water and neutralize it using a 1:8 solution of muriatic acid. Rinse thoroughly with clean water.

For standard applications without painting, the coating cures naturally and requires no special maintenance.