Laying Carpet in Basement

[dremmel]

I have a basement that I started to finish last year and never finished. Now is when I want to put down carpet. Should I be concerned about moisture problems under the padding and carpet? We don't currently have any moisture problems.

[Wgoodrich]

YOur question is a loaded question. If your basement slab floor was poured over a vapor barrier plastic sheet and no water problem then no special concern for your carpet.

If you have no vapor barrier and have a huge flooding occur you may have a wet basement that never was wet before.

This is one of those enter at your own risk or install indoor outdoor carpet using carpet strips stretching the carpet not glue. Then if worse happens you can vac up the moisture no damage or pull the carpet and hang on a clothes line to dry.

Wide open loaded question depending on how your basement was built and where considering soil report etc.

Good Luck

Wg

[Jacksnap]

I agree with Wg. Also, you can do a simple test of laying a 3 foot by 3 foot piece of poly film, 6 or 4 mil, on the slab in a couple of areas. Seal the pieces on all 4 sides to the floor with poly tape, so no air can enter or escape. Leave it for 24 hours, then check it for condensation on the concrete surface (concrete should appear dark) or on the underside of the film. If there is condensation, check with the carpet maker for the acceptable amount of moisture allowed for the product/pad. You can measure this level with a Calcium Chloride test to see if level is acceptable. Otherwise, if it is nice and dry, you should be good to go.
Of course, whenever you are dealing with anything below ground level, you have to consider the foundation walls and drainage; and placement of washing machine, water heater, water softner/treatment equipment, too, for leaks/overflows, etc.

[dremmel]

Thanks for the feedback wg. One hell of a good idea jacksnap. I'll do that.

[Wgoodrich]

Aw, Jacksnap you out shined me again. I was going to say that same thing you said but didn't have time. Ha Ha

Good reply

Wg

[Jacksnap]

I'll back down, Wg, if you would just admit the truth that the fish pictured on the left is mine :D

Go Colts!

[Wgoodrich]

OK, the fish on the left was really yours. I hid my big fish because it would have embarrassed your fish and then again my big fish that was hidden from the camera was so big it WOULDN'T FIT IN THE PICTURE. Ha Ha

Wg