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should you put vapour barrier under the carpet pad, or will it trap moisture? Also, is it ok to use a rubber pad, and if not what kind is best? I live in Canada so cold and humidity a problem, although the basement is dry.
Betty, I have never put a vapor barrier under carpet in a basement. we typically put one under the concrete. you sould put a sealer on the concrete to prevent moisture from moving through it or use a product like the one shown in the link below. it will allow you to vent the floor to remove moisture.
http://www.dricore.com/en/homeowner.aspx
if you are looking for a warmer floor and still the ability to remove moisture from below the floor this may work. they are not cheap but both will give you a warmer and drier feel than carpet on concrete.
I second Kurt’s recommendation. Vapor barrier is a no, and I highly recommend the DriCore solution, it makes for a much warmer floor that will be well insulated from the cold concrete while still allowing it to breath. If not you could go with a thicker padding but it won’t be as effective as the DriCore.
Dricore is the way to go. I have done it on two homes now and highly recommend it.
Here it is going down in a basement in Saskatoon. It has reduced our heating, is more comfortable and should help with any moisture issues. (it doesn’t solve moisture issues, but it allows moisture to move out of the floor if you have any)
Brad T
Self employed Pro since 2014!!I wouldn’t use a vapor barrier because it will trap moisture. For the pad I would use an open cell foam (preferably with an odor guard – it should say so on the pad) as opposed to a rubber pad. A rubber pad is essentially a vapor barrier and will trap moisture. Or you could use a dricore underlayment as mentioned above, this will completely separate the carpet from any moisture.
Chad
A Working Pro since 1993
Member since 12/07/2013That is some pretty neat stuff. My in laws are about to do their basement, what is the price per sq on those?
If I was ever to redo mine I really think I would go with that heated floor system that was brought up a while back in another thread. Can’t remember what it’s called now but ya put down like 1′ squares and run the electric heating element between them. Someone in here might know and post what they are.
Dricore is the way to go. I have done it on two homes now and highly recommend it.
Here it is going down in a basement in Saskatoon. It has reduced our heating, is more comfortable and should help with any moisture issues. (it doesn’t solve moisture issues, but it allows moisture to move out of the floor if you have any)
Ive always wanted to try that stuff. When we raise floors we do our typical barrier/sleepers/subfloor.
Is it a pain to put down since they come in 2×2 sheets?
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if your house was built sometime after 1990 there should be a vapor barrier under the concrete use a good padding under the carpet made for basements and you should be fine besides if any kind of moisture problem don’t carpet the floor dricore is great product but most people don’t want to pay for it
Sorry, I never got back on the dricore. I didn’t hit the email button.
It’s easy to install, but you need to make sure it’s square. It’s been great this spring. Cost was about $1.75sq/ft so not cheap, but not crazy $$$
And as I stated before it doesn’t solve water issues, it hides them and lets your carpet not get ruined.
Brad T
Self employed Pro since 2014!!There are 2 kinds. One has plastic dimples over OSB T&G, The other is foam over OSB T&G.
2×2 sheets are easier to move in and around a basement.
To properly determine if you have a vapor issue in your basement, tape down some foil to the slab. If after a day or two you have moisture under the foil, you have vapor coming through your slab. If you have moisture on top of the foil, you have a humidity issue in the house. I would not put a vapor barrier under the pad regardless. They make basement grade carpet pad that is meant for higher moisture areas. If you have moisture mitagating through the slab, a specialty sealer may be required to alleviate that.
Andrew
A Working Pro since 1995!
Member since March 26, 2014.
Ok I was thinking of vapor barrier between concert and padding for carpet. I see the consensus is no.
Whats the difference between this application and vapor barrier for laminate flooringEither vapor barrier will trap condensation and lead to mold problems..
Laminate is usually a bad idea in a basement. It doesn’t handle moisture very well
There are some vinyl planks that might be an option
--Steve
Either vapor barrier will trap condensation and lead to mold problems..
Laminate is usually a bad idea in a basement. It doesn’t handle moisture very well
There are some vinyl planks that might be an option
Yep, I would never go with a laminate in a basement, It doesn’t take much water to wreck it. I’ve been hearing a lot of great reviews of the vinyl plank, I think it’s a smart way to go. Any time I do use laminate I will switch to a tile around entries / exits that might have some pooling water, etc. You don’t need to be as careful with a real wood (solid or engineered)
The OP seems to made one post and never came back?
I saw the follow up question, and thought that was him…
Ok I was thinking of vapor barrier between concert and padding for carpet. I see the consensus is no.<br>
Whats the difference between this application and vapor barrier for laminate flooring--Steve
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