| Page
1 Page
2 Page
3
Page
4
|
 Click
to go to page 1
to find out repairing a subfloor
Click to go to page 2
for information on installing a basement subfloor
Click to go to page 3
for information on installing subfloors
Click to go to page 4
to read about subfloor leak detection
|
Concrete Subfloors & Moisture |
 |
|
"Even though a floor may look good on the surface, the reality underneath may be entirely different."
Concrete floors will always contain moisture and are notorious for being cold. Floor coverings without adequate subfloors will be affected and damaged by moisture. Design ideas for finishing a basement generally have little consideration for moisture levels. Basements usually have a higher relative humidity than the rest of the house, which attracts high levels of moisture. Moisture can come from a variety of sources such as:
- Soil moisture
- Surface water (mopping)
- Air vapor moisture
- Internal moisture
|
|
Benefits of a Subfloor
If you're using poor quality subfloors that do not prevent moisture seepage and are not resistant to alkaline salts, moisture can cause several problems to your home such as: |
- Mold and mildew
- Bacteria
- Efflorescence
- Rusting metals
- Wood decay
- Discoloration of ceilings or masonry
- Surface discoloration,
staining,
texture changes
- Crusty, powdery, chipping,
concrete and masonry
|
Musty odors
Dust mites
Dripping pipes
Allergic reactions
Structural failure
Deformed wood surfaces
Damp sticky floors
Peeling, blistering, cracking paint
|
|
| Testing Concrete Subfloors for Moisture |
|
How do you know if you have a moisture problem? Tape a piece of plastic (2feet by 2feet) to your concrete floor before installing your subfloors. Make sure that the plastic is sealed to the concrete floor for a few days. Inspect and monitor for moisture or the darkening of the concrete floor. If you have any of these signs they need to be fixed before you start.  subfloors are required to help prevent moisture from entering and damaging your flooring materials.
|
| Moisture Protection for Concrete Subfloors |
|
Using  subfloors can help reduce or remove problems related to excessive moisture levels in concrete subfloors.  provides a drainage space and helps moisture to escape.  subfloors can help lower the relative humidity, prevent mold, mildew and bacterial growth which can eliminate musty smells and create a less hospitable climate for bugs including dustmites, centipedes, silver fish and spiders.
Your basement will have fewer creepy crawlers and more importantly, your basement won't smell like a basement.
|
for more information on
a concrete foundation
click next
|
|
|
