Basement Flooring

4/5/2013 at 6:26:29 PM

Polished concrete floor is your only real option.

Thanks

Douglas

The Reno men

4/5/2013 at 6:39:32 PM

Hi Rocanville Sask.?

Do you have a sump pump or a moisture sector and a simple pump that will empty it into your basement

sink automatically? I've replaced these pumps and simple system in basements plagued with water unexpected water issues. They work really well and last for years. You can buy the pump at Cdn Tire.

As for the floor you could go to synthetic carpet with under pad. In the event they get wet they can be easily dried with a fan running under the carpet for a day or so. It's quick and no mold or smell develops. Also you could use resilient tiles with construction glue. They won't detach if they get wet.

Good luck. Let us know if it works.

4/5/2013 at 6:40:21 PM

The Best Flooring for wet areas are Porcelain Tiles cemented directly to the concrete. Vinle tiles and vinyle Planks are no good because Mold and mildew grow and give everything a Moldy Damp smell.

Best regards,

Stewart

4/5/2013 at 6:55:44 PM

Dear flooding,

Before you start replacing material find the source of the flood. From what I am reading you could have a few issues check your sump lines including the city lines, second your foundation walls

should be inspected, if you have water coming through the ground have your base floor removed and replaced according to proper steps, and last check for leaks in walls from plumbing pipes that might have a leak which might be have slow leak where after extended time it becomes disaster.

It be a good idea to hire a license builder that will follow proper steps to prevent this from happening in the future. For the amount of cost you have incurred from this disaster stop and step back and allow a certified general contractor and yes make sure they have there credentials in place before hiring him/her.

4/5/2013 at 8:39:20 PM

Hi,

I think the best option is find the reason why the water keeps flooding your basement and fix the problem. Everytime your basement gets wet the carpet is not the only thing that gets wet. Therefore there must be mold in your basement if it is not dried properly every time it gets wet.

The only and best solution is find 'why' and fix it. It will cost you less in the long run and it will be better for your health.

Thank you

Pierre

4/5/2013 at 9:52:06 PM

You have a number of issues that need to be diagnosed, especially with repeat flooding:

1. Springs - that's a constant water source that will not stop. Your weeping tile sits at the base of your footings, and it sounds like they are sitting in water ... constantly. Weeping tile can not remove water if it is sitting in water. You likely need to add a sump pump and move the basement water to the outside and at least 10' horizontally from your foundation.

2. Other water sources - ensure that the house has positive drainage away from the house. Any low spot will act like a funnel and channel any surface water to your footings. Also, make sure all of your downspouts are terminated at least 6' from your house.

3. Sewer have you confirmed that the water is indeed springs and not sewer? If suspect, then consider a back-flow preventer in your main sewer line.

4. Anecdote I had a client that swore they had springs under their basement floor, AND their neighbor to one side agreed they both constantly had water in their clean outs. Upon investigation it turned out that my client's washing machine drain was tied into the floor drain bowl. Either over time or just poor concrete finishing, and with the laundry water coming down with such force, the concrete bowl was compromised. The water came in from one side and then shot right across the bowl and under the concrete floor. Voila self made spring for at least 10 years !! A simple repair to the bowl resolved the problem for both parties, and the neighbor was never the wiser.

Flooring

ONCE you have resolved your water problem I would highly recommend laying a DYI raised subfloor system on top of the concrete to allow any moisture to dissipate and dry out without impacting your flooring system. An excellent product that is available at all of the big box building centers is DRIcore - http://www.dricore.com/en/index.aspx or similar. Do not get the foam backed system, but only the rigid polyethylene dimpled panels. I am an independent licensed contractor and I swear by this type of product with nothing to gain but extremely happy clients.

These 2'x2' panels have a rigid dimpled membrane on the bottom that raises the OSB sheeting about 3/16' above the concrete. This allows the concrete to breath, but most importantly it provides protection to flooring materials from incidental levels of water from getting to your flooring.

You can also buy large 5' x 65' rolls called Delta-FL and then place 5/8' OSB tongue and groove sheeting on top. It sounds faster and cheaper but that's not quite so unless your concrete floor is perfectly level and smooth. www.cosella-dorken.com or Google Delta-FL.

The other huge benefit of this raised system is the comfort and warmth you will gain. I have never had a client regret spending the extra money to gain that much useable living space.

With the system in place your flooring options improve. You must first determine if you want to gamble that you have perfectly resolved the flooding issue. Truth be told, if you have moisture that could get higher than the raised dimpling (about 3/16' of standing water) then you haven't solved the problem.

With all this in mind, here's some suggestions:

1. Clay tile - the most durable but you will need to add 4x8 sheets of underlay. IF you have future moisture problems then EVERYTHING will need to come up and thrown out.

2. Lino - same as clay tile

3. Vinyl tiles - there are lay-down and self-stick styles available. Replacement is reasonably easy and you can repair only the sections that get wet

4. Laminate - wood based, not advisable until you are sure your moisture days are behind you.

5. Wood - same as laminate

6. Carpet - all carpets wick moisture and thus increase the area of damage. Ask a flooring store (not big box) what product they have for moisture prone areas.

As a wise old home builder always said, 'A house is not a boat'. The beauty is, it doesn't take much to keep it dry, just the right approach!! You can do it.

4/6/2013 at 9:55:10 PM

Hi how are you?

I would go with ceramic

Thanks

John

4/9/2013 at 6:56:20 PM

You have to install back flu preventer on main sewer line before do anything and after that you will not have a water from your drainage.