
Whether you’re planning to install carpet, or any other type of flooring in your basement, it’s important to properly prep your concrete basement floor. Without the right protection, you risk dealing with mold growth and higher humidity levels in your home. Vapor barriers for basement floors not only block the moisture that causes these problems, but also keep harmful gasses like radon from seeping into your home from the soil beneath it.
What Is A Vapor Barrier?
A vapor barrier is a type of vapor retarder with a vapor permeance rating of 0.1 perms or less. Vapor barriers stop water vapor from traveling upward through your concrete surfaces. Without them, you will almost certainly end up with excess moisture build-up that can lead to expensive structural damage down the road.
How Can A Vapor Barrier Help Protect My Basement Floor?
A vapor barrier in your basement is like a shield against moisture damage, keeping things dry and comfortable by reducing the amount of water that seeps through the foundation underneath. Basements, being below ground, tend to be the perfect place for all of this moisture to collect, leading to mold growth and other headaches.
Starting your flooring installation project with a vapor barrier over your foundation isn’t just a smart move – it’s essential.
How To Properly Install Basement Flooring
You are only a few steps away from having the basement floor you always dreamed of. Now that you know what a vapor barrier is, let’s get down to business:
Related Article: Under Slab Vapor Barrier: What Happens To Concrete Without One?
Clean Your Starting Surface
Before you start laying down any flooring, it’s important to clean your basement floor as best you can. Remove any dirt and debris that may get caught underneath your vapor barrier, and make sure to wipe down all surfaces in order to get rid of any moisture or mildew that may have already built up.
Lay Down Your Vapor Barrier
Next, lay a sheet of vapor barrier over your basement’s concrete foundation, making sure to overlap its edges. Don’t forget to use vapor barrier tape to cover up all of the seams. This will make sure that you have a watertight seal across the entire surface. If you live in a particularly damp or humid area, you should also consider adding an extra layer of high-density polyethylene sheeting above your vapor barrier. This can help create air pockets that keep the layers above nice and dry.
Add Your Secondary Layer
The secondary layer helps prepare your basement floor to handle years of wear and tear, and will also work to protect the integrity of your vapor barrier by mitigating any damage that may come from above. Plywood is the widely-accepted material of choice for this part of the installation. Place your plywood on top of the vapor barrier and/or poly sheeting, and anchor it to the concrete using concrete screws to keep it firmly in place.
Install Your Floor Padding
Once your protective layers are set, you can get focused on the comfort aspect. Choose the thickness of floor padding that best suits your needs, and install it directly on top of the plywood layer using a tack strip. It’s important that you have a secure fit, or else the flooring you add above it will likely feel very loose.
Finishing Touches
The final step is to lay down the material you’ll be walking on. Roll out your carpet on top of the padding, and use seam tape to secure it to the padding layer. Once it’s good to go, trim off the excess to ensure it’s the perfect fit for your space.
Make Sure You Have The Right Protection
Not all basements are the same. Depending on your humidity levels and the size of your space, you might need additional protection to ensure the longevity of your new floor. Before getting started with your project, make sure you connect with a local building inspector to check for any necessary building codes that must be addressed and always follow the instructions of the flooring manufacturer to avoid any warranty issues.
Related Article: Why Should I Install an Under Slab Vapor Barrier?
Get Started On Your Vapor Barrier Flooring Installation With Americover
As an Americover customer, you will receive the personalized support of a dedicated account manager to simplify the ordering process and ensure the best solution for every one of your projects.
Our friendly, knowledgeable staff is here to answer your questions and fulfill orders Monday-Friday from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. For more information or a free sample, call us at 760-388-6294 or visit our Contact Us page.