Basement Flooring: Dos and Don'ts

 

Finishing your basement is a great way to add much needed space to your home, but to avoid headaches down the line, you have to do it right. Many traditional finishes just don’t work well below ground, where humidity is higher and water can pass through concrete walls. Today we’re going to discuss the dos and don’ts of basement flooring.

 

DO - Check for water

 

You didn’t think you’d get through one of our blogs without hearing about waterproofing, did you? That’s because it’s important to make sure your basement is dry before embarking on expensive renovations. 

 

Outside of a literal river running across it, signs of water problems include staining on the walls, floor, and even wooden support beams, white powder on a block wall (it’s called efflorescence), peeling paint on painted concrete, and a general musty smell. 

 

If you don’t notice any of those, you’re probably safe from an existing problem, but make sure you observe across at least one rainy season. If you do notice water, call us for a free inspection so we can get any problems taken care of and get you back on the path to finishing.

 

DON’T - Throw down carpet

 

Carpet is the most common choice for a basement; it’s also the worst choice. Even without huge water problems, the basement is naturally more humid than the rest of the house, and carpet loves to soak up that moisture. I bought a house with a finished basement this spring and, last month, a terrible smell started floating upstairs. The carpet had soaked up ambient moisture and was giving off not only a musty smell, but also releasing all of the smells ground into it by the three kids that used to live there. The carpet is being replaced. Which leads me to...

 

DO - Choose waterproof flooring

 

Our favorite words at Ayers are “waterproof” and “inorganic” - the combination is a surefire way to avoid mold and the problems that come with it. 

 

DON’T - Settle for less

 

Just because you should pick a waterproof flooring doesn’t mean that you’re going to be stuck with one or two ugly options. We offer flooring with finishes including parquet, carpet, and even wood-look plank. The variety of colors, shapes, and styles means that you’ll still get the look you want, but with added protection. And our ThermalDry line will even keep you warmer with its patented thermal deck, which keeps the temperature of the flooring warmer than the concrete floor.

 

Finishing a basement is the most economical and logistically easy way to add living space to your home, and it doesn’t have to be difficult. Just watch for water, pick finishes appropriate for the space, and get on with your life. Call us to schedule a free inspection and we’ll help you get there.