Padding and Carpet help!!

My basement is in the process of being sheetrocked. How do I prepare the floor for carpet and how what type of tack strips do I put on the floor and do they get shot in or glued? I would like to use a heavy padding also. The basement floor is concrete (no water).
Is there a method to putting padding and carpet over concrete?

 

do not put c arpet on basement floor. floor will transfer moisture to pad backing causes spores which leads to mold.
put a vapor barrier on floor then overlay with 1/2 plywood.

vapor barrier will stop moisture and wood non conductor will be warmer than concrete floor and more comfortable to walk on.

JoeW Certified Waterproofer

 

Good idea on plywood sheathing, but use 3/4" instead of 1/2"
on top of vapor barrier, it will be more stable.
Use a nail gun to attach sheathing to concrete floor.

 

I will be encountering this same situation soon.

What if plywood sheathing is not an option? For example, I can not raise the level of the floor.
Would the vapor barrier and 8# carpet pad be sufficent?
What about concrete sealer? Is this a good idea? Or is this just another harmful chemical introduced to a living environment.

To answer the question about the tack strips: Use the ones specifically for concreate on top of the vapor barrier. From what I have learned so far, they go about 3/4" (thumb width) from the wall with the angle tacks pointing toward the wall.

 

I have 8# commercial pad under berber carpet for 3 years and no problems so far. I did not use a sealer.

Yopu can always try a moisture test. Tape a piece of plastic to the floor, taping down all edges. Check it in a few days. If there is moisture between the plastic and the floor, you have a moisture issue to deal with.

If its dry, you don't need the subfloor.

As for warmth - my basement floor is as warm and comfortable as any in the house.

 

My floor gathers moisture under plastics I leave on it. I have several small rugs on the floor and they do not get wet. The only issue is where I have plastic on the floor. I was told I only need to install a De-Humidifier. I have also heard of a padding made for basements. Should I be safe using the combination of De-humidifier and "basement" padding?

 

Braynx,

I also cannot add the plywood. It will arise the floor and take the last step into the basement out of code. Am I correct that the rise of all steps must be equal? I don't see this addresed often especially when people talk sbout a 2x4 subfloor.

Aaron

 

I too, have the same issue.

I purchased a Concrete Sealer to apply over the cleaned concrete slab prior to carpet installation.

My carpet will have a #10 pad (1/2") that is treated to be mildew resistant.

I built the house and have lived in it for 5 years with no water problems yet. My sump pump goes off rarely, usually only after a big rain.

Hope this waterproofing is sufficient.

Please comment.

 

I have read all of your messages. Just wanted to let you know what we did.

We purchased an inexpensive carpet that already had the padding attached!. Our basement is dry. We layed the carpet, we did not secure it. It is even with the walls and you cannot tell it is not secured. (In this instance, just incase we would ever have a water problem, all we have to do is roll the carpet up).

We also purchased a dehumidifyer. It only has to be run on the humid days..........taking the moisture out of the air........and keeping the basement dry smelling.

We have had this working for us now for 7 years........with absolutely no problem!.

We also have furniture in the basement, a T.V. , and video games for the kids. It is a nice extra room for everyone to enjoy!.

Good Luck with whatever is that you decide to do!.

 

Attn: Guys with the same bsmt carpet dilemna,

I'm sure PDE's own experience was accurate, but I would not feel comfortable not coating the concrete prior to carpet install, and merely "laying" down the carpet on the concrete.

This process might work in some situations, but maybe not others.

I did the same thing (letting carpet just lie there with no attachment) in my last house, and it worked OK, but I wouldn't do it again.

I did the following:

1.) Purchased one gallon of UGL Drylock and brushed a "swath" over all basement floor cracks. Now, moisture/water won't have a physical path up through the floor.

2.) Purchased Kilz Sealer/Primer Paint and painted the entire floor with a roller. Now, the Sealer covers the floor, preventing water vapor from permeating the concrete, and eliminates concrete dusting. Both actions should help prevent the carpet pad from mildewing and molding.

I also bought a specially treated mold-resistant pad that is applied to the carpet.

Of course, I have a sump pump and dehumidifier. I've been in plenty of basements where a huge rainstorm caused damage to the carpet. Hopefully, my measures will prevent water or water vapor from ever getting in.