I would like to put some sort of flooring over part of my basement. Something with the look and simple installation of an interlocking garage tile (example) would fit the bill — this isn't a living space, but a cleaner, smoother floor would be nicer than dusty uneven concrete.
However, I'm concerned that this might cause problems with mold growth or moisture buildup. The floor in my basement is about 100 years old, and if there ever was a drainage system, it probably isn't functional anymore. If you tape a sheet of plastic down on the floor for a day or two, moisture does accumulate underneath it, and we run a dehumidifier during the humid/wet seasons. The basement has never flooded but it can get a little humid/musty if the dehumidifier isn't running.
So, can I install some flooring without causing bigger problems? I could imagine that any of these applies:
- It's just a bad idea, and I should stick with small area mats
- It's an OK idea as long as the floor is properly designed with vents
- It's fine, doesn't matter if the concrete floor is a little moist under the tiles
- It's fine, but I should apply some sort of sealer to the floor first
- It's actually good, the vinyl tile layer will reduce how much moisture gets into the air and take a load off of the dehumidifier
So… Which of these is right? Is there a particular type of flooring or installation process that's designed to handle not-100%-dry basement floors?
Best Answer
I agree with Steven about Dricore. I have used it and it is terrific for
However, I would seal the floor first (which I did) with a wateproofing product like Drylok.
One caution - do not seal the floor under a water pressure tank or filter system that sweats in the summer. Condensation from these systems often drip down and dissipate through raw concrete, but will pool if you seal it.
Keep the dehumidifier going. The moisture is still in the soil surrounding the foundation and will probably still percolate through the walls.