Flooring for Wet Basement

There are so many people who cannot use their space in the basement because it remains wet for most of the times but there are ways in which the problem of wet basement can be overcome and once that is done with the help of basement waterproofing floor, this finished space can be used for if not anything else but storage. Normal wood floor is not the solution since water and wood are a bad combination since one or the other day the floor has to be changed as it starts rotting if exposed to water for a period of time. Flooring for wet basement is tough decision to make.

Why is flooring for wet basement so difficult?

Wet basement flooring is difficult because there is a problem if there is moisture that is unwanted which leaks in to the concrete and weakens the adhesive which is used in the floors and tiles as a result of which the floor starts heaving and crumpling. So this is the problem that has to be solved before flooring can be finalized. The way to find if you basement has the moisture problem or not is to cover your floor with a sheet of impermeable material by sticking it from end to end and keep it so overnight or if possible a full 24 hours.

If you find damp under the sheet that means that the basement floor has a moisture problem. To solve the problem, the source of the problem has to be found out. Which can 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. There are various types of flooring for wet basements like:

• 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 stricture provides more resistance towards the changes in the humidity and the moisture problems in general.
• Laminate Floor- This kind of flooring is made of wood basically but that kind of wood which is moisture resistant. They also have a backing and on top there is this melamine or aluminum oxide coating that gives it a decorative look and also keep the floor dry besides preventing it from scratching and staining.
• Ceramic Floor or Porcelain Tile- These are also good options if the moisture problem is solved completely and successfully. You can put an impermeable layer and then a layer of hardwood or cement and then put ceramic or porcelain tiles, which are aesthetically good and serve the purpose as well.
• Cement- The simplest of all the methods is the cement flooring which is cheapest and the best. For the look you can paint it or stain it which would also act as concealers.

Out of all these laminate floors also at times have the problem of warping like wooden floors. Still if you want a laminate floor, you can do it by installing some of the other equipments as well like the vapor guard or the basement dehumidifier. The basic thing that has to be checked before you can decide on the flooring of the basement is the sub floor and the severity of the moisture problem. Get professional help if required.