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I have an ugly concrete wall in my basement. It is painted but has all this hard bumps and the paint isn't even. I propose to put those "stick on tiles" directly on the concrete next to the stairs. My sister however says that if I do that mold will grow under it.
Is that true? I have never seen any sign of mold on this wall before and, in general, the basement is very dry.
I don't know about mold, but if you put stick-on tiles (vinyl?) over a rough surface every little irregularity will show through. It's also likely the tiles won't stay stuck for very long. If you're talking about ceramic or porcelain tiles, the paint could be an issue. The bond will only be as strong as the weakest link.
You might need to make this a bigger project. Apply pressure treated furring strips to the wall with concrete anchors, then screw moisture resistant drywall or cement board to the furring. This will give you a solid backing for the tiles.
I don't know about mold, but if you put stick-on tiles (vinyl?) over a rough surface every little irregularity will show through. It's also likely the tiles won't stay stuck for very long. If you're talking about ceramic or porcelain tiles, the paint could be an issue. The bond will only be as strong as the weakest link.
You might need to make this a bigger project. Apply pressure treated furring strips to the wall with concrete anchors, then screw moisture resistant drywall or cement board to the furring. This will give you a solid backing for the tiles.
When I said tiles I think that gave the wrong impression. These are tiles that look like stone. They have a sponge / foam like backing. So even if you put them up and they stick out it just looks like the stone. But the sponge like backing makes it so the imperfections are drastically reduced. Sort of like a floating floor for the wall. I have put up about 1/2 already and it looks good. Also.. weirdly they stick insanely. If I had to take these down -- I just don't know that I could. Once up they are impossible to get off. I am hopeful they loosen up a little.
I tried the furring strips thing but multiple contractors refused to do the job. Citing that it couldn't be done in that particular space. I think due to the fact that there was stairs. I now worry mold was an issue.
I understand that concrete can have slight moisture come out of it. For instance I have a closet in the basement that tends to smell if I shut the door. I have been told this is due to moisture coming from the walls. But I am not sure about that because I got the "damp rid" and in months I haven't seen any moisture in the package. Also this covering is only over a very small part of the wall.. about 1/8th of it. The rest of the wall is covered by dry wall with about an inch distance between the studs and the concrete.
ETA, previously I did try the "flat" stick on tiles. I only put up four to see how they looked but they were up for 2 months. They were easy to take down. But I saw no sign of mold. When they came down the paint was the only think they took with them.
So I might have solved this myself. It occurred to me the other day that most "homes" have all four concrete walls with soil and ground on the other side. Thus the potential for water.
But this particular wall is shared with another townhome. So I can't see where moisture could come from. In fact, in my basement there is only ONE wall with soil on the other side of it.
So I think my sister is thinking of the dangers of concrete in a regular house not a condo situation where the wall I talking about has another unit on the other side.
So I might have solved this myself. It occurred to me the other day that most "homes" have all four concrete walls with soil and ground on the other side. Thus the potential for water.
But this particular wall is shared with another townhome. So I can't see where moisture could come from. In fact, in my basement there is only ONE wall with soil on the other side of it.
So I think my sister is thinking of the dangers of concrete in a regular house not a condo situation where the wall I talking about has another unit on the other side.
You are correct. What is it you want to do? Pics would help.
Pics should be on the review along with the product.
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