Basement Flooring Guide

Basements floors are open to quite many options. You should keep in mind the purpose and the physical condition of the floor and then choose the most appropriate way of utilizing the space.

Basements have some typical issues that you shouldn’t ignore while deciding the kind of flooring you would like to have. Here are the four important features which you must consider while arriving at the final decision:

1. Is the area mostly dry or does it have some element of moisture? Here is a simple and economical way of finding if you have moisture there. Just lay a large number of trash bags in different parts of the basement, especially in corners, next to the walls and in the middle of the basement. Apply tape all around these bags. After a gap of 24 hours check the bottom of the bag for any moisture. Dampness on the bag or presence of water drops signifies moisture. Depending on the level of moisture, you may need to consult a specialist. Slight moisture can be taken care of by applying linoleum or paint on the subfloor. The other flooring option is to include some vapor guard item in between the flooring and concrete.
2. Is there any variation of the level of humidity with changing seasons? Keep a check on the humidity level of the basement. Do you find moisture getting accumulated on the walls and windows, signifying high level of humidity? If you feel the air is dry with the accompanied problem of static charge, you are having low humidity. There are many ways of correcting humidity levels.
3. Check the kind of existing subfloor and its condition. Examine the present floor. Usually, homes with basement comprise of concrete subfloor. Examine the concrete closely to see if there are any cracks or damages and unevenness. Before you cover you floor with any other material it should be properly repaired.
4. How you intend using the basement and for what purpose? You may plan to have a workshop there or just place for entertainment or exercising. In case you plan to put the same space to different uses, think of dividing the space into different zones and provide different kinds of floor covering to various zones.

Having answered the above questions, here are some of the common options:

Concrete Floor
You can improve the looks and quality of your floor by painting, polishing, staining, stamping or stenciling. You can have the looks of wood, tile or a faux throw rug by using stencils or stampings on the floor. The maintenance is easy, using a mop or broom. Moisture resistant materials are recommendable for basements. Explore the possibility of plastic subfloor, thus providing a barrier for vapors.

Carpet or Carpet Tiles
Families wanting to have a cozy atmosphere in the basement could opt to have a wall to wall carpet by including a vapor barrier and a padding of high quality. Carpet tiles can easily be installed and dismantled too, if needed.

Linoleum
Vinyl kind of flooring like Linoleum can be installed above a cement floor. This is convenient to maintain and remains durable.

Ceramic or Porcelain Tile
Their ability to resist stains and moisture makes them a good choice for having them in the basement.

Bamboo or Cork Flooring
These are environment friendly materials that are appropriate for a lot of basements. Available in a variety of finishes and colors these are conveniently maintained.

One can’t ignore the fact that a home with finished basement is better valued. Selection of appropriate flooring surely improves the looks and gives a nice feeling to your place.

Whatever material you may opt to go ahead with, you must first check the floor for any cracks. Here are some useful tips to help you take care of any cracks:

Cracks in concrete or cement by themselves are not a problem, but if left unattended they can harm in due course.
It’s quite common to have unfinished basements with cement or concrete floor. Even if it’s properly installed and reinforced, water beneath the floor could cause small cracks to appear on its surface over a period of time, which certainly are not pleasing to the eye.

As water starts leaking from the cracks, the cracks begin to get wider and become a breeding place for mold and mildew, causing a big problem for the homeowner. But the good thing is that such cracks can easily be repaired by the homeowner without any professional help before the problem takes an alarming position, and thus save a lot of money and time.

Examine the Crack

Cracks appearing in the basement vary in size and shape. Before undertaking its repair one should examine the cracks. Ascertain that there is no moisture around the crack and there is no water seeping through that. You can seal a thin hairline crack with a little moisture but can’t seal one from which water is coming out. If water is leaking out from a crack, you have a serious problem at hand and should certainly seek the opinion of a professional.

If it’s a dry crack, check how wide it is. The treatment required for hairline cracks is different from what you may need to do in case of larger cracks. First step is to get rid of the crumbling or loose concrete. Examine all the cracks to know their status. This will help you buying the right materials for repairing the same.

Repairing a Hairline Crack

It’s not unusual for basements to develop small and thin cracks after a couple of years. Before you undertake repairing of any thin crack, wash the floor thoroughly to get rid of dirt and grease or oils as the filler will not adhere properly to the floor if it’s dirty or moist and greasy. This is the most important step in your effort to fill thin gaps.

In case of dry cracks, buy concrete filler that comes in tubes and is latex, epoxy or vinyl based and available at most of the home improvements stores. You will also need a thin trowel and a caulking gun to evenly spread the filler. Directly apply the filler to the crack and using a trowel work it in thoroughly to get an even patch.
If you find moisture around the crack you’ll need to use hydraulic cement. This comes in the form of a dry powder and needs to be mixed with water as recommended by the manufacturer. Using a trowel spread over the mixture on the crack, ensuring that it completely covers the crack and goes deep inside of that to prevent any water infiltration.

Repairing a Larger Crack

Homeowners can also repair larger but dry cracks that appear due house settling or frost heaves. Repair of such cracks requires a hammer and chisel to take out any crumbling or loose concrete from around the edges of the crack. Holding the chisel at an angle of about forty-five degrees to the crack, hammer it down to remove loose concrete. You need to do it on either side of the crack along its entire length to ensure proper adhesion.
Now, you fill the crack using a trowel and concrete filler. You are likely to need a second application of filler for larger and deeper cracks so that they get completely filled up. Squeeze the filler in the crack, followed by trowel to make it smooth. Let it settle and on noticing any sagging pour in more filler till you get an even surface.

Sealing the Floor

Any repairs carried in the basement should be allowed to cure for twenty-four hours. In case of bigger cracks check after a gap of eight to twelve hours and on noticing any sagging, just add more filler.

After the filler gets cured, it’s necessary to seal the patches. With the help of a roller or brush apply two or three coats of a polyurethane sealer. Apply the next coat only after the first coat has dried up completely. This prevents further moisture from entering and also hinders staining.

Repair of cracks should not be delayed, lest additional damage is caused in future. Once in a while the entire floor should be resealed. It helps to prevent stains as well damage that may be caused by water. It’s desirable to make it as a part of maintenance program for your house.

Remain vigilant and seek professional help if required to retain the basement floor in good shape and prolong its life.