Dimpled membrane for concrete floors
I have an unfinished basement with an open stairway to the living area above. With the installation of a new heating system, the basement has become more attractive to make ‘livable’. I have temporarily placed rigid insulation against the exterior walls to retain the heat generated by the boiler. I’d like to put down a floating, engineered (bamboo) floor. I know there has to be a moisture barrier put down first.
However, once in blue moon when the ground is saturated, I get water down there. I’m thinking of putting down a dimpled membrane rather than just a piece of poly. I have a dehumidifier that drains into the automatic pump on the boiler, so I should be able to maintain the humidity level.
So, I’m lookirig for some feedback in this as well as opinions as to which ‘brand’ to use. I’ve looked at Delta FL and Platon.
Oh, maybe some thoughts on installation would be helpful, too. Like do lay the membrane tight to the foundation walls and then put up insulated walls or leave air gaps or what?
Thanks,
Richard
Replies
Not Enough Headroom
Only on a very rare occassion has the amount of water been 'mopable'. There is not enough headroom to add a more conventional subfloor, thus the thinking of the membrane which allow the water to evaporate quicker.
U have a problem with your theory
"the thinking of the membrane which allow the water to evaporate quicker."
The dimpled is to allow the water to drain away. It needs to have a drain for the water to go to. It will not evaporate from under this stuff any more than it would evaporate from inside a plastic bag
The dimples will allow air to circulate to a minor degree, thus allowing moisture to slowly migrate away if the only problem is modest dampness. This effect could be enhanced with some sort of active ventilation, but I've never heard of that being done.
There is a reason you haven't seen that done Dan.
The amt of airflow possible in that tiny impacted space is so smal it would take a momoth air handler and fan system to move anything through it
Depends on how much impact you need to have.
Solve the water problem first
You need to determine what the water source is first. Then intercept the water before it enters the building envelope. Otherwise you will be building in a future problem. Membranes are not magic bandages.
Water
Well, over 1.5" of rain yesterday plus the melting snow around my house and the basement is dry as a bone. So I don't think water on a rare occassion should be the show stopper. I'm looking for advice on either product as well as installation advice, particularly around the perimeter. Thanks.
Research
I'd suggest you take care of the water before you do anything. Why risk having to tear up the bamboo floor later to address a problem that can be fixed now. Check out http://www.buildingscience.com to get a better idea about what you should be doing before sinking $$$ into finishing touches of a remodel. Good luck
Of course, the big problem here is that everyone's suddenly got to have bamboo or some such in their basement. So long as water problems aren't serious, just put down some decent quality synthetic carpet over foam pad and you're good. It'll stand the occasional soaking, so long as it gets a chance to dry thoroughly afterwards.