Floors

[mbthompson]

I recently had the nasty carpet in my basement pulled up and now I need to decide what to do with the concrete floors.  I am torn between refinishing the concrete and maybe painting them and putting down laminate.  Does anyone have any experience with concrete floors or know someone who does that?  Does anyone have someone they know that installs laminate?

[Flower Lady]

We hired The Floor Gallery to put our basement floors in. I DO NOT RECOMMEND THEM. They are very highly rated if you look at "rating" sites like Kudzu and Angie's list. I do not recommend they do basements.

What you probably need to have accessed is how much moisture your concrete wicks. That will help you decide how to proceed.

[J. Grouchy]

It's pretty likely there is no vapor barrier under the slab, so putting any coating or adhesive directly on the concrete will eventually lead to failure of that material.  Someone posted another thread in here recently about flooring on concrete and how to mitigate the moisture problem...

EDIT:  aha.  it was FL herself

[Flower Lady]

That was I, Grouchy.
I know what needs to be done, Floor Gallery won't do it. Manufacturer will not stand by product for incorrect installation.

AVOID AT ALL COSTS and find someone who will actually check the floor (and yes, we asked them all kinds of questions about this and yes, they said they did check everything. And they lied).

[georgian]

Just for curiosity, take a 12" square of Saran Wrap/Handi-Wrap and tape it to your basement floor on all four sides with duct tape. Leave it for 2-3 days and then remove it and inspect for moisture. Hoefully youmwill not see any. I owned Florida Stone & Epoxy for ten years and have seen just about every flooring problem around. When we bought our new house 6 years ago, I did this and found no moisture evident so I coated the basement floor with terra-cotta colored epoxy and it still looks like new.

[mbthompson]

Thanks for the tip!  I just went downstairs and did it.  Haven't had any flooding/moisture problems that I know of.  If there isn't a moisture problem, is laminate still out of the question for basements?

[angryuser]

Thanks for the tip!  I just went downstairs and did it.  Haven't had any flooding/moisture problems that I know of.  If there isn't a moisture problem, is laminate still out of the question for basements?

If I'm not mistaken, laminate allows for more moisture to be present (as opposed to straight coating the floor with paint/epoxy/whathaveyou). You lay a plastic barrier down under it to seal if off from the moisture and then put it down.

[Clue]

The idea of taping down the plastic wrap is really good.  A moisture meter reading should also wished to be done by whomever you do hire.  If you need a flooring contractor reference pm me as I can point in a direction.  They are my customers so I deal with them every day. 

If you are thinking about buying the laminate and doing it yourself I might also be able to help you get some material. 

[mbthompson]

Do you by chance know someone who just installs laminate?  I can get a pretty good deal from my parents membership at Direct Buy, but need someone to possibly measure and install it for me. 

[BIER]

Powerhouse Floors

Don Hasson

404-276-1522

Local hardwood/laminate guy. 

Highly Recommend

[Flower Lady]

Clue has tried to help me find someone who installs VCT, tile squares. It's hard because few places carry it. They no longer sell my color, I need entire floor replacement with a vapor barrier floor underlayment put in. Anyone know anyone who does this??

[lorelei]

If there is moisture, I remember seeing on one of those DIY shows a flooring system that looked like wood on top, but the underlayment was some sort of grid that allowed any water that accumulated to flow under the "wood" into a drain/sump pump. I'm sure it wasn't cheap, but it was spectacular.

aha! I think this was it. http://newton-membranes.co.uk/cavity-drain/newton-520/

(note, they have less "heavy duty" versions that might work better for just dampness)

[Flower Lady]

Yes, that is what I need done, Lorigami. Then I also need a drainage channel and sump pump hook up for our stairwell that seems to suck up water when it rains at least 3.5"!! I just want a mold and mildew free basement that flooring sticks to and is comfortable!!

[Clue]

FL, the dealer I sent you couldn't handle it or they wouldn't?  I don't think I ever heard the details.

[Flower Lady]

I did let you know about him, Clue. Nada. No handle it. Pleasant man, but clearly not intested in selling me anything.