Cementing Basement Walls

[dmg1969]

pierce...I won't point out the fact that you shouldn't have painted the walls since others have. In the future, assuming this was for photography purposes, use painted 4x8 plywood sheets as a background. I digress.

I think the issue at hand is that we are dealing with paint. I can't see how he can push for having the whole basement cemented. There has to be a way to fix the problem to everyone's satisfaction without having to re-cement the basement. Make no mistake, it is up to you to make it right.

I would recommend having an estimate from at least 2 or 3 PROFESSIONAL painters. Get their opinions and estimates and take them to the landlord. Tell them the plan to get the property back to a satisfactory condition and tell him that YOU and your roommate(s) are the ones paying.

Finally, follow through with it.

[classicman]

Originally Posted by piercehawkeye45

My roommate last year used water soluble paint to decorate....
apparently the paint does not come off with water, soap, or paint remover.

Where is this roommate now? Was he on the lease when this happened?
Seems like he is culpable in this. After all his painting started the problem.

[tw]

Originally Posted by piercehawkeye45

So now our landlord wants to cement over the basement, most likely on our dime.

The cement (plaster) must have something to stick to. Cement will not stick to latex paint (assuming you meant latex interior wall paint). The process of 'sticking' involves a bonding of that cement to something that the cement can be absorbed into - cinder block, concrete, stone. That cement would just peal off the paint.

You might consider a sand blasting solution. Or (if you can address the flood and humidity problems) high pressure water hose.

What is the basement vintage and material? 1930 concrete? That was typically sandy. Often easier to remove paint from. And yes, you do have in interesting problem - ignoring the legal aspects.

[Aliantha]

The reason you couldn't get the graffiti off is because cement will absorb the colour. It's porus(sp?).

I agree with monster about your friend. Did you give him a swift kick up the arse?

I also agree that you shouldn't have to parge the whole thing but you should have to fix it by painting it. Surely painted walls will look better than bare cement anyway.

My other suggestion is to wait till he goes out next time and do a runner.

[classicman]

I was just wondering.
From what I gather, one tenant (Bob) decided to paint the walls (reason unknown) and is apparently no longer living there. After which you, and I assume other roommates, tried to cover what he did because it looked like crap. Just wasn't sure if he disappeared or not.

Thats about it.