Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Apr 02, 1999 09:39pm | #1

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   Greg,

   Not a fan of carpet in the basement.

   If your committed to this project, put 1/2" cork under the carpet instead of the normal underlay. At least this way you won't have mold in 1/2 of your project and it will be much warmer.

2. 
   AndyElman | Apr 09, 1999 07:29am | #2

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   Make sure you basement is dry. We are getting a little of "that mildew smell" in ours. My fear is water on the floor rotting the framing. The previous owners put down 2x4 on the flat with 3/4 ply and carpet/vynl. I noticed one or two spots that are spongy and one corner where the studs at the base of the wall and the ends I can see of the floor are rotted. Good thing we were planning on redoing the layout down there. A bucket of prevention...
   
   -Andy

1. 
   David_Pybas | Apr 09, 1999 05:10pm | #3

   *Greg,At one point I was searching for safe methods of putting carpet in my basement (at my wife's request.) I gave up. There is just too much moisture below grade. I ended up letting her put carpet on the stairs. The only method that appealed to me was to raise the floor off the slab. Start with 6mil poly of Tu-Tuff (see this months Fine Homebuilding, look for Lugano.) Then find something hard, but a little giving, along the lines of a hockey puck, say. Frame 2x4 (I assume you want to keep as much clearance as possible for the ceiling) on their side 16"oc on the pucks, which are also spaced every16". Then get the foam board insulation with foil on both sides (Celotex makes one brand.) Then subfloor.This method has worked for a friend who wanted to put a recording studio in a basement that wasn't the dryest place in the world. He also framed the walls 1" back from the basement walls and continued the poly up to the sill, using Tyvek tape to seal the joints.He did not put carpet down, however. Nor would I let him. I'm doing the same now in my basement to use as an office. good luck,dave

3. 
   Greg_Kurey | Apr 16, 1999 12:54am | #4

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   Any recommendations for insulating and "cushioning" a concrete basement floor before installing the carpet padding and carpet? I was considering a sheet goods product like homosote? Anybody know of any better products?

4. 
   Guest_ | Apr 16, 1999 12:54am | #5

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   Gabe,

   Is there such a thing as a completely dry basement? I've tested with sealed squares of poly and after 48 ours, there's no moisture. We've always assumed that we would lay carpet when we finish what is now our rollerblading/hockey basement. What do you suggest?

   Beatrix