Ask Dave your basement remodeling questions
Asked By: Ben C. Last Updated on: 17 December 2009
Question:
Dave -- thanks for the informative Web site. We're thinking of having the basement finished off in our 1920-1930s-era house. The contractor says he can't put in a sub-floor over the existing concrete floor because there is a "B-Dry" type system in it, whereby there is drainage piping around the perimeter leading to a sump pump. The piping is covered in concrete that slopes up toward the walls. He can't install a sub-floor because he says he would have to start at the "highest point" which would mean the floor would be too high in relation to a drop ceiling.
In your opinion, would leaving the concrete floor exposed and painted be Ok for a living space? Are there other alternatives when a sub-floor isn't possible? The existing floor also slopes down toward a drain hole in the middle.
Dave Answers:
First off, I agree with your contractor. I would stay away from the subfloor. It'll really serve just to lower your headroom. :)
Depending on the condition and slope(s) of your floor I would look at a few different scenarios.
(1) If there is VERY LITTLE pitch involved and the floor is in decent shape you could simply put carpeting over the floor area stretched as is normally done and anchored at the perimeter with tack strips.
(2) If you have a lot of wavy-ness associated with the floor, and I imagine there probably is, you could look to having glued down carpet. Any carpet person coming to measure your space could tell you which of the two above options would be best suitable for your space. Having carpet either glued down or stretched w/ a pad would be the warmest options.
(3) Consider a vinyl tile installation. These would be vinyl squares or rectangles. Just stay away from any sheet good product. Today there are lots and lots of vinyl tile choices and I'm sure you could find one you like. Also a vinyl floor would be very forgiving in terms of installation over wavy/slopey floors. I'd add some area rugs to warm the space up a bit as well.
Check out the online video in our article section where I'm speaking w/ Donna Teagle my carpet and flooring person. She has some great points/suggestions in regards to different flooring options.
Here's the link:
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