Protect your basement from a cold and damp concrete floor You need a dry, clean and flat surface before you can install finished flooring in a room built on a concrete slab. In the late 1980’s early 1990’s there was a fad where contractors suggested installing a vapor barrier and then 2×4 framing and a sub-floor. Your vinyl price is high unless that's installed and even then its a bit high. Any kind of persistent moisture will allow mold to get a foothold and soon ruin carpet or wood flooring. Walls Need Basement Insulation. Most basement floors, even in new homes, are damp. Installing an air gap subfloor with subfloor panels will help to control moisture from concrete floors that may contribute to mold formation. The next stop in our basement bathroom remodel was to put in subfloor on the concrete floor that we self leveled but we had to find a way to make sure it was waterproof for our sometimes leaky walls. Eliminating moisture may mean installing a sump system and this can be expensive and difficult in older homes with stone and mortar foundations because hand digging around the outside of the home will be necessary. That would have been $40 per 4 by 8 section. Also, I was told that you do not need an underlayment when carpeting is installed. I would suggest that you use moisture block paint for carpet or wood floor but it is not necessary for ceramic tile. It is not a requirement to install a basement drain prior to installing DRICORE ® Subfloor. Call us at (866) 441-6648, Get quotes from qualified local contractors, What to Know for Wood Flooring Installation. One of the simplest options is a sleeper-based subfloor. Most newer homes have the breaker box capacity to handle the new finished basements electric needs. When your talking about 3 inch rise over 12 feet with inconsistencies, it wont work. My basement slab is laid on top of a layer of rigid insulation (I am pretty sure). If it is wet, you may be able to dry out subflooring by opening up the drywall underneath it. Or are you about to install flooring in a newly-built home? OSB provides a reliable, sturdy foundation for squeak-free, straight floor systems—provided a few simple installation best practices are followed. To make an informed decision, take a closer look at what a subfloor does and why it's important. Just don't install wood floors directly to the slab. • How To – How Often Should You Clean Your Fireplace. Or are you about to install flooring in a newly-built home? But keep an eye out for damage in case you need to replace a subfloor sooner. This project is BEST left to a professional licensed electrician because it involves more than just adding new breakers. A subfloor will help insulate against a concrete floor that becomes overly cold in winter. AmDry insulated subfloor panels come in two R-values: a 2-in.-thick panel with an R-7 rating, and a 1.6-in.-thick product with an R-5 rating. Plywood is usually used as subfloor today. It’s important to do your homework when considering a basement renovation. What's the Difference between Subfloor and Underlayment? But it will prevent creeping damage due to small amounts of moisture, and provide a much warmer, more comfortable basement floor. If necessary, place sleepers (mini-joists) to raise the subfloor above a very damp concrete slab. Hopefully, you won't have to replace an entire joist. Plywood is the material most commonly used for subflooring. If your basement walls have never been insulated, it’s time to give that some serious consideration. CDX plywood (¾”) in particular is used often because it has a high level of resistance to moisture and humidity. A subfloor is the foundation flooring in a building. For a dry, mold-free finished basement floor, always install a vapor barrier before laying a wood subfloor or carpet pad. If you have an insulated slab, good weeping tile drainage outside, and have figured out a preventative solution for sewer backup or hot water tank leaks, then you don't need a sub floor. They only come into play when you want to expand downward and make your basement a warm, livable space. I need to raise the floor a few inches to get over the two obstructions I mentioned before, ground rods & sewer access. If you have an older subfloor constructed of multiple slats, rather than large sheets of plywood, you can insert your straight edge between the slats. Subfloor insulation adds an extra layer between your flooring and the concrete — … What does it actually do? How do you check for mold in a subfloor? If your subfloor has excessive voids or bends, you will need to level your floor before you begin installation. This is a cheap solution and can be used in high moisture situations but you are not always limited to this type of install. Are you planning to replace your old floors? A subfloor is a wooden, structural substrate to which durable finished flooring is attached. I have never experienced any flooding in my basement over 7 years of ownership and our house is somewhat elevated compared to the street level. Do I need a subfloor? Plywood is made by gluing alternating layers of wood veneer. Just wall to wall carpet and heavy duty padding over the concrete, and it is not even attached with tack strips. Maybe you already know a little bit about home construction and flooring, but it's a term not all homeowners are familiar with. Think of it as an impenetrable barrier that keeps your basement floor dry. Adding a subfloor to your basement is an easy and effective way to keep it dry and warm all year round. Do I Need a Subfloor? A few facts: We are located in the general Ottawa (Canada) area where we do get winters and cold. Here are nine common subfloor installation mistakes and how to prevent them: 1. We are planning to put in laminate flooring. Does anyone have any comments. Right now, my basement floor is covered in carpeting. You also want to make sure the carpet installer uses a stretcher not just knee kickers to install the carpet. Reply. If you have heavy moisture in your basement then you are likely to have additional problems such as mold growing in your fabrics used in your furniture and problems with any paper storage or art work you may include. Learn what a vapor barrier is and discover whether it is really necessary in a basement or if it is just an added seal with no use. Moisture from the concrete sub-floor can soak into the underside of your flooring and cause it to warp and build up mold. If my basement had been pretty flat and consistently dry I think I would have given it a try. (have to twist the new filter before putting into the rack). As temperatures in the basement fluctuate, it creates the perfect environment for moisture to accumulate between the underpad and concrete. Instead of putting a bandaid on the problem by installing a sub-floor you should look into installing a sump pump system which will extend the life of your home and reduce the amount of moisture in your basement. I am about to install 500 sq. Some contractors will suggest that you install the carpet by gluing it to the concrete and not using a carpet pad under it. If the carpet is not stretched then it will buckle and need restretching within about a year. I'm not in a flood area, so the only water damage would be from internal plumbing failures. Keep your basement dry and warm. While a subfloor is not necessary to add structural strength when you'll be laying finish flooring on top of a concrete slab (as in a basement remodel), subflooring over concrete offers two other advantages: The concrete slab must be clean, sound, and level, with any serious cracking repaired, before you install your subfloor. AmDry panels are 2 x 4 ft., larger than other subfloor … It also adds an element of soundproofing and, in the case of carpeted floors, increases underfoot comfort. If you install DRICORE ® Subfloor panels over the drain access, cut an access opening in the panel that rests over top of the drain and install a decorative floor drain cover over top of your finished flooring. My husband and I are renovating a mobile home. However, © Copyright 2020 Networx Systems, Inc. All Rights Reserved. A beautiful floor starts with a stable subfloor. Always check your local building code before choosing a particular subflooring material or design. In most cases, as long as the old vinyl surface is flat, you don’t need to do anything more for this type of underlayment. If my basement sprung a leak I would want to know right away, not after a few weeks when I start noticing mold grow everywhere. Don’t confuse the terms “subfloor” and “underlayment.” Underlayment is an additional thin layer that is placed on top of the subfloor when you’re having tile, carpet, or laminate flooring installed. My finished basement does not have a subfloor. Pay attention to strong, musty smells. The prefix “sub” means under, so the term literally means “under floor.” Household floors usually have two or three layers. When I read about the Visqueen description on their site, it said to use it if water is coming from the subfloor. Install a vapor barrier of plastic sheeting before laying the subfloor. on Dec 27, 2017. you want the new floor to be level, and to not have moisture issues. my basement does not a level spot on any where on the floor. 2'x2'x7/8" panels press-fit together, requiring no nailing, gluing or fastening. Another function of subflooring is to protect your surface floor against moisture damage and mold in a damp environment. • How To – How much will it cost to get the Blower Motor replaced in your heater? Temperature control. DRICORE ® Subfloor is designed with a high density plastic membrane containing a patented air gap pattern to ensure moisture emitted from concrete floors can naturally evaporate. Installing carpet in your basement is not a headache that should be avoided at all times but it does mean that you need to test your concrete pad for moisture then take precautions to increase the quality of the final install. Oriented strand board (OSB) is another popular subfloor material. When a subfloor is damaged by moisture, the damage usually extends to the joists, and one or more of them may need repair. When converting your basement to a finished living space there are many considerations including whether to put insulation in the walls, whether to drywall or add a drop ceiling and what type of flooring will make that drab underground area feel comfortable to live in. Do all basement floors need a subfloor before applying hardwood etc. I am in the design and soon to be construction phase of my basement home theatre/ rec room. Hello! Are you planning to replace your old floors? Waterproof sealer will also help keep out moisture. Do I need a subfloor? If your home has a concrete basement floor you most likely can install any type of flooring you want including carpet, wood or tile but the problem some people run into is a high moisture content in the concrete which can cause problems if precautions are not taken before the install. Final Note. A subfloor is a sort of floor cover for your basement, which elevates the floor itself and creates a strong and sturdy shield to prevent water from seeping through. It is important to use fasteners that do not penetrate the Dricore Subfloor System panel to pierce the polyethylene sheet. With joist spacing of over 19.2, thickness of plywood should be 7/8” and of OSB, 1”. Basement floors present one issue that most other sub-floors do not, Moisture. Let it dry thoroughly before your flooring is installed. Now if you only have say 2 spaces available or zero spaces available (a totally full box) your going to most likely need a sub panel boxinstalled for your basement project. Are you planning to replace your old floors? Traditionally, exterior grade plywood has been the subfloor material of choice for many bathroom flooring projects. Does anyone know if the plastic shims will become loose over time and if so do you hear a clicking noise? Newer concrete will still be losing moisture that … Sub panel needed for my Basement? Most basements have a concrete floor and it is easier to work with a wood sub floor as the floor covering. Answer + 5. Because it's made up of large wood chips adhered with resin, OSB offers a dense, smooth surface compared to plywood. Finally when a contractor suggests that you install a sub-floor in your basement it is an indicator of their inability to offer you a best service or a serious moisture problem that needs a better solution. Polyurethane sheeting is a typical vapor barrier that contractors use to prevent moisture from penetrating the walls of a basement. Different plywoods use various materials and methods of manufacture, depending on … The subfloor is Advantech OSB, quite resistant itself. Before we talk about subfloor mold, let's explain what a subfloor is. Undecided about the best way to cover and warm up the concrete floor in your basement? What Does It Actually Do? If the plywood subfloor you’re placing is 5/8 of an inch thick, you need a screw about 1 5/8 inches long. You’ve decided to give your basement a makeover and you need to find a cheap and waterproof alternative to your boring, cold, concrete floor. Improper spacing. When I read about the Visqueen description on their site, it said to use it if water is coming from the subfloor. While a subfloor is not necessary to add structural strength when you'll be laying finish flooring on top of a concrete slab (as in a basement remodel), subflooring over concrete offers two other advantages: Dampness control. Your subfloor also provides stability and a level surface, which will make flooring installation easier, whether you hire a professional or do it yourself. See what goes into waterproofing a basement, too. (have to twist the new filter before putting into the rack). A subfloor is a structure attached to your floor joists which provides support for your finish (surface) flooring. Surprisingly, insulation on a basement ceiling doesn't do much to help. Do I need a subfloor? RELATED: Solved! This is a common issue and an easy fix. Do you need to install subfloor in your basement? He’ll reinforce the footing and foundation as needed, but when it comes time to build a new floor for the basement, Rosen wonders whether he can go with something other than a concrete slab. Air gap subfloor panels elevate and insulate your finished floor quickly and easily. The DriCore Subfloor System will not protect against a catastrophic flood. Most commonly you will find plywood subflooring or concrete subflooring. To install any kind of floor covering—engineered wood, laminate, carpeting—basement subflooring is required. If you install a ceramic tile floor, a level subfloor is essential to prevent tile cracking. You’ll want the screw to go about an inch past the plywood into the joist or underlying layer beneath it. Hi all, great forum, I have learned a ton already from all of you! The material is stapled to the frame of a basement wall before it is finished with plaster or drywall. When exposed to moisture, though, OSB takes longer to dry, which could lead to water damage for your subflooring and even your finish floor. Sometimes, underlayment can help compensate for a subfloor that isn't perfectly smooth. Is Dri Core the only solution for the subfloor or can a … Do I Need a Subfloor Over a Concrete Slab? Although it is also manufactured from wood and is inexpensive, particleboard is composed of small chips, resulting in a weaker product which absorbs more moisture. Insulating subfloors are a welcome addition to basement spaces because they typically help to improve the warmth of the flooring that will be placed over it. The result is a subfloor that protects finished flooring from cold and damp concrete-based floors. If you can use a carpet pad you want to make sure it is a closed cell rubber padding and not a open cell product that can hold moisture. Or, install a basement-appropriate flooring—such as tile, indoor-outdoor carpeting, linoleum, or a floating laminate—over the concrete subfloor. Pull up several floorboards or a 1-foot square of carpet and padding. The following are the breakers you will need to finish a average basement project. Rowgop (Pam) If you are in a basement, you will find a cement subfloor, and above grade construction having a plywood subfloor. DRICORE ® Subfloor is a simple do-it-yourself solution to help you create a warm, dry, comfortable basement that is fast and easy to install. It can also be installed over the Amdry Insulated Subfloor system, so if you wanted to have tile in your basement there’s a safe way to do it. Tim Carter of AsktheBuilder.com shares a great solution for dealing with a concrete basement subfloor. There do i need a subfloor in my basement a cheap solution and can be expensive over time and if so do you hear clicking... 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Subfloor in your home or commercial space floor starts with a wood sub floor as previous...