Hey guys, I'm looking for some advice on a tough basement question.

Here's the background: Our house was built in 1928 and believe it or
not, the concrete floor is in great shape. There are no cracks
whatsoever, and it is 99.9% of the time dry. The basement is split in
half, one half is the workroom and the other half is a finished part
that used to have wall to wall carpet with an underpad.

Well, living in NH, we experienced a couple week's worth of constant
rain in May that caused a ton of flooding statewide in parts of the
state that are not prone to flooding. In our case, I'm sure the
problem was that the water table rose too quickly and submerged the
basement. The water seemed to seep up from the floor, not come in
through walls or anything. It only ever accumulated to about 1/4"
though, nothing too crazy.

Anyway, our carpet was ruined and now we need to figure out how we
want to resurface the finished part of the basement. The trouble with
the concrete is that it is painted in spots and very very rough
(although no cracks). Also, it has a few (very few) spots that bulge
upwards (less than 1/2" though).

We've decided that we want to lay FLOR carpet tiles
(http://www.interfaceflor.com) in the basement. They can be laid on
wood, sealed concrete, tiles, etc.... Now the concrete itself is too
rough to accept these tiles so we're going to need something put on
top of the concrete.

I was first thinking of laying Ditra down using thinset, but now I'm
shying away from the idea... .first, it is a horribly tedious job
trying to clean up the paint which I'm assuming needs to be removed
for the thinset to adhere properly. Also, I'm not sure if you'd be
able to "feel" the Ditra underneath the carpet tiles since Ditra has
those square "bubbles"...

Our latest eureka idea was to just lay down pressure treated plywood
directly to the concrete and attach the carpet tile to the plywood. I
know it would be better to have 2x4 spacers fastened to the concrete
and the plywood attached to the spacers, but this is not an option as
our current headspace is hovering around 6.25'.

Do you guys think it would be ok just laying down the plywood directly
to the concrete, shimming where necessary? Or should I use 1x3 furring
strips instead of the 2x4s just so I have SOMETHING (I have a feeling
they won't be solid enough, though), or should I definitely go with
the Ditra and not worry about the thinset on painted concrete since
the paint is old and doesn't seem to be sealing anything anyway?

I assume the plywood would have to be fastened using a powder gun, right?

And finally what about this crazy idea.... just spread out some sort
of skim coat of cement to even out the concrete, seal it and apply the
carpet pads directly?

Again, this basement seems to only get water in record rainfall
incidents, and even then less than 1/2" of water... would it be ok for
the plywood to just sop that up since it's pressure treated, and we
can temporarily remove the carpet tile in the affected area to let the
plywood dry out.

Any advice is welcome,.. .thanks guys.

G

Wow I was tiard just reading this post......Forget about the wood on
the floor you have the clearnce issue and I just dont think it is
necessary for you, nor a good idea given your possiable water problem.
If the floor is painted "in places" try to remove as much of this as
you can then acid wash the entire floor with a muratic acid solution
(wear a respirator and open the doors and use a fan) after cleaning the
floor (moping with a vinegar and water solution) several times you are
now ready to apply your top coat of cement product. There are several
products for the available at most home stores..to insure as best bond
as possiable paint the floor with a concrete bonding agent ( 1 gallon
containers looks like elmers glue in the area with masonry products)
before you place the material. This process will cost you avout 1/10 of
your other method and be a much more stable floor.
With the wood you have alkinds of high andlow spot issues you would
never get it right..nobody could i dont think unless you use fir
strips, shims ......just to much work Why not resurface the concrete
and stain it? Have you seen the price for the carpet tiles wholey &*^%
that money could go into some pretty nece area rugs and your
pocket....just a thought


Gino F. wrote:
Hey guys, I'm looking for some advice on a tough basement question.

Here's the background: Our house was built in 1928 and believe it or
not, the concrete floor is in great shape. There are no cracks
whatsoever, and it is 99.9% of the time dry. The basement is split in
half, one half is the workroom and the other half is a finished part
that used to have wall to wall carpet with an underpad.

Well, living in NH, we experienced a couple week's worth of constant
rain in May that caused a ton of flooding statewide in parts of the
state that are not prone to flooding. In our case, I'm sure the
problem was that the water table rose too quickly and submerged the
basement. The water seemed to seep up from the floor, not come in
through walls or anything. It only ever accumulated to about 1/4"
though, nothing too crazy.

Anyway, our carpet was ruined and now we need to figure out how we
want to resurface the finished part of the basement. The trouble with
the concrete is that it is painted in spots and very very rough
(although no cracks). Also, it has a few (very few) spots that bulge
upwards (less than 1/2" though).

We've decided that we want to lay FLOR carpet tiles
(http://www.interfaceflor.com) in the basement. They can be laid on
wood, sealed concrete, tiles, etc.... Now the concrete itself is too
rough to accept these tiles so we're going to need something put on
top of the concrete.

I was first thinking of laying Ditra down using thinset, but now I'm
shying away from the idea... .first, it is a horribly tedious job
trying to clean up the paint which I'm assuming needs to be removed
for the thinset to adhere properly. Also, I'm not sure if you'd be
able to "feel" the Ditra underneath the carpet tiles since Ditra has
those square "bubbles"...

Our latest eureka idea was to just lay down pressure treated plywood
directly to the concrete and attach the carpet tile to the plywood. I
know it would be better to have 2x4 spacers fastened to the concrete
and the plywood attached to the spacers, but this is not an option as
our current headspace is hovering around 6.25'.

Do you guys think it would be ok just laying down the plywood directly
to the concrete, shimming where necessary? Or should I use 1x3 furring
strips instead of the 2x4s just so I have SOMETHING (I have a feeling
they won't be solid enough, though), or should I definitely go with
the Ditra and not worry about the thinset on painted concrete since
the paint is old and doesn't seem to be sealing anything anyway?

I assume the plywood would have to be fastened using a powder gun, right?

And finally what about this crazy idea.... just spread out some sort
of skim coat of cement to even out the concrete, seal it and apply the
carpet pads directly?

Again, this basement seems to only get water in record rainfall
incidents, and even then less than 1/2" of water... would it be ok for
the plywood to just sop that up since it's pressure treated, and we
can temporarily remove the carpet tile in the affected area to let the
plywood dry out.

Any advice is welcome,.. .thanks guys.

G

FIRST FIX THE WATER PROBLEM IT WILL CERTINALLY REOCCUR!

Inside french drain with sump pump.......

doing ANYTHING to pretty up a area thats had water infiltration is a
terrible idea.

the next flood might be worse.

FIX THE WATER!

And finally what about this crazy idea.... just spread out some sort
of skim coat of cement to even out the concrete, seal it and apply the
carpet pads directly?

No offence, but the above is the only potentially viable approach
I find in your query.

And that -only- after installing at minimum a sump system (pit,
pump, etc).

I, also, have had to discard a basement rug or 2 ...

Cheers,
Puddin'

On Sun, 20 Aug 2006 13:39:30 -0400, "Gino F."
wrote:

Hey guys, I'm looking for some advice on a tough basement question.

Here's the background: Our house was built in 1928 and believe it or
not, the concrete floor is in great shape. There are no cracks
whatsoever, and it is 99.9% of the time dry. The basement is split in
half, one half is the workroom and the other half is a finished part
that used to have wall to wall carpet with an underpad.

Well, living in NH, we experienced a couple week's worth of constant
rain in May that caused a ton of flooding statewide in parts of the
state that are not prone to flooding. In our case, I'm sure the
problem was that the water table rose too quickly and submerged the
basement. The water seemed to seep up from the floor, not come in
through walls or anything. It only ever accumulated to about 1/4"
though, nothing too crazy.

Anyway, our carpet was ruined and now we need to figure out how we
want to resurface the finished part of the basement. The trouble with
the concrete is that it is painted in spots and very very rough
(although no cracks). Also, it has a few (very few) spots that bulge
upwards (less than 1/2" though).

We've decided that we want to lay FLOR carpet tiles
(http://www.interfaceflor.com) in the basement. They can be laid on
wood, sealed concrete, tiles, etc.... Now the concrete itself is too
rough to accept these tiles so we're going to need something put on
top of the concrete.

I was first thinking of laying Ditra down using thinset, but now I'm
shying away from the idea... .first, it is a horribly tedious job
trying to clean up the paint which I'm assuming needs to be removed
for the thinset to adhere properly. Also, I'm not sure if you'd be
able to "feel" the Ditra underneath the carpet tiles since Ditra has
those square "bubbles"...

Our latest eureka idea was to just lay down pressure treated plywood
directly to the concrete and attach the carpet tile to the plywood. I
know it would be better to have 2x4 spacers fastened to the concrete
and the plywood attached to the spacers, but this is not an option as
our current headspace is hovering around 6.25'.

Do you guys think it would be ok just laying down the plywood directly
to the concrete, shimming where necessary? Or should I use 1x3 furring
strips instead of the 2x4s just so I have SOMETHING (I have a feeling
they won't be solid enough, though), or should I definitely go with
the Ditra and not worry about the thinset on painted concrete since
the paint is old and doesn't seem to be sealing anything anyway?

I assume the plywood would have to be fastened using a powder gun, right?

And finally what about this crazy idea.... just spread out some sort
of skim coat of cement to even out the concrete, seal it and apply the
carpet pads directly?

Again, this basement seems to only get water in record rainfall
incidents, and even then less than 1/2" of water... would it be ok for
the plywood to just sop that up since it's pressure treated, and we
can temporarily remove the carpet tile in the affected area to let the
plywood dry out.

Any advice is welcome,.. .thanks guys.

G

Pease pudding hot,
Pease pudding cold,
Pease pudding in the pot
Nine days old.

Gino F. wrote:
Hey guys, I'm looking for some advice on a tough basement question.

Hey Gino

Exactly the same trouble encountered here. I recommend to use what is
locally sold as FL flooring. 4 feet wide and up to 300 ft long sheets.
Its a bubbled plastic and works well under 3/8 plywood subfloor, then
top with whatever.

wrote in message
ups.com...
FIRST FIX THE WATER PROBLEM IT WILL CERTINALLY REOCCUR!

Inside french drain with sump pump.......

doing ANYTHING to pretty up a area thats had water infiltration is a
terrible idea.

the next flood might be worse.

FIX THE WATER!


I agree - get the water problem fixed or you will be replacing again. Check
out whoever you use in your area, even check the company with the BBB. We
had several contractors quote us, some appeared to be real dirtbags when you
checked them out. One was even recommended by a neighbor. Well this past
spring the neighbor had a flood in the basement with their contractor, ours
was still dry using a well known 'franchised' contractor.

Gino F. wrote:
Hey guys, I'm looking for some advice on a tough basement question.

Here's the background: Our house was built in 1928 and believe it or
not, the concrete floor is in great shape. There are no cracks
whatsoever, and it is 99.9% of the time dry. The basement is split in
half, one half is the workroom and the other half is a finished part
that used to have wall to wall carpet with an underpad.

Well, living in NH, we experienced a couple week's worth of constant
rain in May that caused a ton of flooding statewide in parts of the
state that are not prone to flooding. In our case, I'm sure the problem
was that the water table rose too quickly and submerged the basement.
The water seemed to seep up from the floor, not come in through walls or
anything. It only ever accumulated to about 1/4" though, nothing too crazy.

Anyway, our carpet was ruined and now we need to figure out how we want
to resurface the finished part of the basement. The trouble with the
concrete is that it is painted in spots and very very rough (although no
cracks). Also, it has a few (very few) spots that bulge upwards (less
than 1/2" though).

We've decided that we want to lay FLOR carpet tiles
(http://www.interfaceflor.com) in the basement. They can be laid on
wood, sealed concrete, tiles, etc.... Now the concrete itself is too
rough to accept these tiles so we're going to need something put on top
of the concrete.

I was first thinking of laying Ditra down using thinset, but now I'm
shying away from the idea... .first, it is a horribly tedious job trying
to clean up the paint which I'm assuming needs to be removed for the
thinset to adhere properly. Also, I'm not sure if you'd be able to
"feel" the Ditra underneath the carpet tiles since Ditra has those
square "bubbles"...

Our latest eureka idea was to just lay down pressure treated plywood
directly to the concrete and attach the carpet tile to the plywood. I
know it would be better to have 2x4 spacers fastened to the concrete and
the plywood attached to the spacers, but this is not an option as our
current headspace is hovering around 6.25'.

Do you guys think it would be ok just laying down the plywood directly
to the concrete, shimming where necessary? Or should I use 1x3 furring
strips instead of the 2x4s just so I have SOMETHING (I have a feeling
they won't be solid enough, though), or should I definitely go with the
Ditra and not worry about the thinset on painted concrete since the
paint is old and doesn't seem to be sealing anything anyway?

I assume the plywood would have to be fastened using a powder gun, right?

And finally what about this crazy idea.... just spread out some sort of
skim coat of cement to even out the concrete, seal it and apply the
carpet pads directly?

Again, this basement seems to only get water in record rainfall
incidents, and even then less than 1/2" of water... would it be ok for
the plywood to just sop that up since it's pressure treated, and we can
temporarily remove the carpet tile in the affected area to let the
plywood dry out.

Any advice is welcome,.. .thanks guys.

G
Whats the objective? Is it just to have carpet that stays dry? Is your
goal to have a completely flat floor? is it just a good looking carpeted
area?

If it were me I would just go ahead and put in new carpet and pad. There
are pads that will not absorb water so if you have issues again you can
maybe just replace the carpet. Your headroom is so low you do not want
to do anything to impact that. Just use a relatively inexpensive carpet
and be done with it.