An elderly neighbor has a concrete floor that is covered with carpet. The problem is that moisture is coming up through the floor and dampens the carpet. What could be done about this and is there another flooring option such as tile.
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Replies
Is this a slab or basement? If it is a basement, are you sure its coming through the basement slab vs. any below-grade walls?
How old is the floor, and how old is the problem? New concrete may give off moisture for quite some time. Check that it's the floor by duct taping a piece of plastic sheeting down tightly on the concrete for a day or two and see whether there's condensation under it.
This is in a addition that was added about 15 years ago. The moisture has been a problem for quite some time. Will check it out to more detail when I get the chance to rip out the carpet. Thanks!
Bostik make a moisture-proof membrane designed to seal concrete to take hardwood flooring.
I see no reason why it shouldn't work under carpet -- worth checking into, anyway.
IanDG
If the moisture problem is bad enough that thew carpet is damp, then it's serious and he needs to resolve the source of the moisture before replacing the carpet. You could installm tile or vinyl or whatever, but the moisture will still be there, and if it gets trapped under the floorcovering it will mold.
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
After all the drainage issues have been addressed, there are probably still going to be moisture problems. I suspect proper preparation wasn't done before the slab was poured, ie. gravel, drain tiles, vapor barrier, etc..
The Dri Core subfloor system will probably be her best economical solution. It lets the floor breath.
Cheers. Walker1