Hello,
I've been reading the forum for quite a while and have gotten lots of great tips. Now I've mustered up the courage to create my own thread (and I hope it's in the right place).
Anyway.. We recently moved into a house, and we're now thinking of sprucing up a space in the basement that previously served as an oil/pellet storage.
I tore out the old pellet container and nearby there's an area where the plaster has come off. I started chipping away more loose pieces and discovered that the plaster that came off was partly black (see picture). Initially, I was a bit worried it was mold, but after a closer look, it seems more like the plaster itself is black. Almost a bit asphalt-like. I know asphalt is used externally on basements but haven't found anything about it being used internally.
The wall in question is an internal wall and generally, it's very dry in the space (only one exterior wall which is above ground and the adjacent boiler room heats it a bit). However, the concrete slab is uninsulated so moisture will likely come that way, of course.
So my initial questions are:
1. Does anyone know what the black plaster is? I'd like to ease my little worry about mold
2. Should I use special plaster when repairing what I've chipped away, considering it's a basement? Or can I use "anything," like house fix?
3. It's unclear what type of paint is on the walls, but I guess I should sand it off before repainting?
4. Should I paint with silicate paint? As mentioned, three out of four walls are internal and the exterior wall is mostly above ground. The moisture pressure through the walls should therefore be small, but the floor is uninsulated.
Let's start there... Apologies for the long post and maybe silly questions. But I'm incredibly grateful for any possible answers and input!
Thanks in advance!
// Art
I've been reading the forum for quite a while and have gotten lots of great tips. Now I've mustered up the courage to create my own thread (and I hope it's in the right place).
Anyway.. We recently moved into a house, and we're now thinking of sprucing up a space in the basement that previously served as an oil/pellet storage.
I tore out the old pellet container and nearby there's an area where the plaster has come off. I started chipping away more loose pieces and discovered that the plaster that came off was partly black (see picture). Initially, I was a bit worried it was mold, but after a closer look, it seems more like the plaster itself is black. Almost a bit asphalt-like. I know asphalt is used externally on basements but haven't found anything about it being used internally.
The wall in question is an internal wall and generally, it's very dry in the space (only one exterior wall which is above ground and the adjacent boiler room heats it a bit). However, the concrete slab is uninsulated so moisture will likely come that way, of course.
So my initial questions are:
1. Does anyone know what the black plaster is? I'd like to ease my little worry about mold
2. Should I use special plaster when repairing what I've chipped away, considering it's a basement? Or can I use "anything," like house fix?
3. It's unclear what type of paint is on the walls, but I guess I should sand it off before repainting?
4. Should I paint with silicate paint? As mentioned, three out of four walls are internal and the exterior wall is mostly above ground. The moisture pressure through the walls should therefore be small, but the floor is uninsulated.
Let's start there... Apologies for the long post and maybe silly questions. But I'm incredibly grateful for any possible answers and input!
Thanks in advance!
// Art
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