we have a house that needs new flooring and i am at a loss as to what flooring to use in it, it has a slab floor on the ground level and it sweats alot in the spring and summer when bad weather fronts move in because the air is at or near 100 percent rel humidity alot here and at night all the time too and then in the winter it gets below zero degrees F too

how should i floor this house ?

should i seal the slab with some kind of product ?

it is currently raw bare concrete,

that wouldnt solve any of the condensating issue would it though?


thanks for anything

 

Need to fix condesation problem first.

 

Humidity level inside home should be maintained year round between 35-55%. This is measured with a hygrometer (sold where thermometers are sold). Running air conditioner in summer helps condition the air. Dehumidifiers are used to reduce high humidity. Fans improve air circulation. Keeping windows and doors closed keeps outdoor humidity outdoors. In winter, household heat tends to reduce levels of humidity inside the home.

When warm humid air contacts cold surfaces, it condenses and forms moisture. High humidity inside homes can cause mold and mildew problems which can cause health problems like allergies and respiratory problems.

Concrete slab should have had a vapor retarder installed beneath it. Concrete can be tested for moisture content with moisture meter. You can tape a 2' x 2' piece of clear plastic on all four sides to the concrete floor. If condensation forms beneath the plastic, moisture is being emitted from concrete.

There are penetrating concrete sealers available. Sealing floor may, however, impact the type of floor covering you choose. For instance, ceramic tile would require removal of sealer. There are special carpet cushions that have a vapor retarder. Installation of floating laminate or engineered wood requires a vapor retarder. If installing vinyl, one with a mildew warranty is recommended.

No matter what your floor covering choice, humidity issues need to be addressed. In addition to the above suggestions for reducing humidity levels inside the home, you can control the amount of humidity that is produced by cooking and bathing. Run vent fan above kitchen stove during and after cooking. Fan vented to outdoors is best because it carries humidity outdoors. In bathrooms run vent fan during and after bathing for at least 20 minutes to exhaust humidity. Vent fan should be exhausted through the roof and not into the attic. Make sure doors and windows are properly closed and sealed.

Also, make sure gutters and downspouts are clear and water is carried away from the house. Splash guards do not carry water far enough away from the slab. It is best that downspouts attach to drains that carry water away. Make sure soil around slab is sloped so that when it rains that water drains away. The best way to know how water impacts your home is to go outside during a heavy rain and check it out.