Damp and Paint

Does anyone know what type of paint I should use on a damp wall, is there a particular paint here in Italy that I should use? Most of the paints I have seen are water based ?

Thanks in advance,

V

My husband had a damp-proofing company in the UK and I know what he'll say - no paint will ultimately work on a damp wall. You need to resolve the damp. However, he would recommend a paint that breathes i.e. lime-based which most paints are here. Some people will say paint over the damp with PVA and then pain over that but the PVA will just peel off again. You should remve all peeling paint and unsound plaster before painting or it will just peel off again pretty quickly.

I asked my husband (retired architect) and his answer confirms the above. Any paint applied over a damp surface will peel off. You have to investigate what causes the damp and solve the problem before attempting to repaint the area.

I have damp underground room and would like to know which is the best paint to use.
Also what and where to place vents etc. Any advice would be welcome

Mozza, any room below ground level will always be damp especially in winter, there are basically two options to obtain a relatively damp free room ; firstly 'tanking' where a new thickness of waterproofed plaster is applied to all walls or secondly to install a 'skin' whereby you baton the old wall and affix Waterproofed Boards (like they use in shower rooms) or laminated panels. Good luck with anything you try but painting will just peel off.

Mozza, as Flip says and also as it has been previously advised, paint is not an option, it will be a waste of time and money. Here is some further information on tanking and damp proofing http://www.diydoctor.org.uk/projects/tanking.htm

Thank you for that guys. Will see what I can do now