Basement Walls - Drylock Paint vs. Regular Paint

[Christopher Boggs]

I am doing a Rehab on a property I just purchased to turn into a rental.

The basement has been inspected by B-Dry and they said it is a dry basement, and there is no need for any kind of waterproofing system.

I am repainting the basement walls, and I have always heard that drylock, Kilz, or similar is the best kind of paint to use on concrete block walls. Then recently a contractor told me that drylock is horrible and will rot out your block since the water cannot come through. He suggested I use a regular paint so if water ever comes through I will see it.

I don't really have any experience here. What do you guys think?

[Steve Babiak]

To see if your block walls are full of water, you can drill a hole near the base into one of the "chambers" of the block (this is what the waterproofing companies will do to keep the water from filling the wall once they have installed the french drain system). Don't be surprised to see water gush out :)