I am looking to finish/remodel my below grade basement. I am worried about moisture issues. I have owned the house for 2 years and there is no evidence of standing water in the basement. The floor is currently covered with very old (maybe 40 years) vinyl tile. How do I know if it the basement is dry enough to be able to refinish?
Basement – How to know if a basement is dry enough to finish
basementmoisture
Related Solutions
In the end, I ended up using DRYLOK® LATEX CONCRETE FLOOR PAINT
It's holding up well so far, we'll see how it does over the next few years.
From a comfort and water protection perspective, I think you'll find it beneficial to install a sub floor. I'd recommend one which allows for ventilation beneath it such as these 2x2 panels you can buy at Home Depot/Lowes
This will give you a nice, warm "softer" surface to put your carpet pad on, and help protect from any condensation issues with the cold floor beneath by allowing it a place to form, and then with the proper ventilation openings cut into the subfloor (standard floor vent in the carpet to allow airflow) it'll dry out on its own.
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Best Answer
It's not clear what you're asking exactly, but the bigger question is probably whether you'll be able to manage moisture once the basement is finished. If you can run a dehumidifier during the summer months and prevent extreme humidity, and if all drainage issues are handled, you should be fine.
Be cognizant of the right way to install vapor barriers and other moisture-handling mechanisms in your area. The best approach depends on a number of factors, such as climate, soil conditions, foundation type, etc. Speaking with local builders and inspectors would be wise.