Flooring Ideas to Choose From When You Want Durable One for Wet Basement

May 21

07:37

2012

Ma. Theresa Galan

Basement can prove to be a very functional and useful area in a home for recreational as well as storage purposes. But, there are so many people who cannot use the space in the basement because it remains wet for most of the time. However, there are ways in which the problem of wet basement can be overcome and once that is done the finished space can be utilized in myriad ways.

Using an appropriate basement flooring option after waterproofing your basement is the correct way of finishing your basement. Normal wood floor is not the solution for basement since water and wood are a bad combination. The floor has to be changed a number of times as it starts rotting if exposed to water for a period of time. Flooring for wet basement is a tough decision to make, if you are not aware of the many flooring options available to you. Why is Finding a Flooring for Wet Basement So Difficult? Unless you live in an arid desert, problem of underwater seepage is something that is encountered in most parts of the country. The problem only aggravates in areas of heavy rainfall. The moisture that creeps through basement walls and flooring can play havoc with your basement flooring. It can weaken the adhesive used in floor tiles, thereby leading to heaving and crumpling of tiles. Besides, the problem of mold and mildew which results from moisture can virtually make a basement uninhabitable. So, this is the problem that has to be solved before flooring can be finalized. The simplest way to find if you basement has moisture problem or not is to cover your floor with a sheet of impermeable material by sticking it end to end and keeping it overnight or so. If you find dampness under the sheet, it means that the basement floor has a moisture problem. To solve the problem, the source of the problem has to be found out. It could be anything ranging from standing water to cracks in the foundation. Whatever the source may be, the seeping of moisture has to be stopped first and then the flooring has to be done. Basement waterproofing can take care of most of your problems resulting from water seepage.

Basement Flooring Options There are various types of flooring options available for wet basements. You can choose any material for your basement flooring that is resistant to moisture. While installing hardwood flooring may not be the wisest idea for basement flooring, you can explore several options in other materials that render the same effect as hardwood flooring. Given below are a few flooring options for basements with water problems.

Engineered Hardwood Floor

This is a potential alternative to normal wooden floors and are constructed in three to five layers of various hardwood materials. This layered structure provides more resistance towards the changes in the humidity and the moisture problems in general.

Laminate Floor

Basically, this kind of flooring is made of wood that is moisture resistant. They also have a backing which helps the flooring to adhere to the sub-floor. On top, there is melamine or aluminum oxide coating which gives it a decorative look and also keeps the floor dry besides preventing it from scratching and staining.

Ceramic Floor or Porcelain Tile

These are also a good option if the moisture problem is solved completely and successfully. You can first put an impermeable layer and then a layer of hardwood or cement. Ceramic or porcelain tiles are to be installed on this surface. These tiles are aesthetically good and serve the purpose really well.