Doing a walk out basement for a gameroom/family room. Believe it or not, the basement is bone dry ….. it’s a house that’s one year old and despite the heavy rains this past spring and summer, not a drop of water or dampness to be seen. Customer wants to put carpeting down which seems like a good idea but I was wondering about what should be done with the concrete floors prior to carpet. Suggestions ????
Thanks!
JD
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Replies
We usually just put a coat of sealer on them. Are you gluing down carpet? Or Stretch with pad?
Thanks for the reply ...... it looks like it's gonna be a glue down although it will be a better grade of indoor/outdoor. I have priced the 2X2 blocks ..... it would add another $1500 to the project (approx. 1000 sq. ft.) The blocks are pretty cool but they cost nearly as much as the carpet. THe customer will go with what seems to make sense, however.
You have an idea what the cost would be if you bought the dimpled material and laid your own plywood on top?
That's what I did myself, bought a leftover roll of hotel lobby carpet with a heavy duty 1/4" thick felt backing. It really is nice carpet and is quite warm even glued to the concrete floor in my basement.
I have never been a fan of installing a subfloor over concrete just because of the moisture problems and lack of access afterwards, but these new products really look good, the fact that they are floating is nice, you could actually pull up a section and replace it at a later date if needed, with not too much effort, also...given the costs of plywood here nowadays, with a sheet of 1/2" standard sheathing being in the neighborhood of $30, anything else sounds good.
Edited 10/12/2003 1:07:03 PM ET by SledBC
Sleeper floor for warmth and ease on feet, 1x4 sleepers with 1/2 ply over.
eww not sleepers....there are new products that come in 2x2 squares out for that which can handle moisture and the occasional leaky toilet or hot water tank without having to rip out your entire floor.
have U priced those new products?
JeffBuck Construction Pittsburgh,PA
Fine Carpentery.....While U Waite
I've used the 2x2 blocks like SledBC, and I agree, it is horribly expensive. The smaller lumberyard I usually use has the plastic in sheets and you overlay the stuff with 5/8 ply subfloor, which is a lot cheaper.
Quality repairs for your home.
Aaron the Handyman
Vancouver, Canada