skip to main content

Carpeting in Finished Basement Question

15 years ago

Hello, we have 6 year old berber carpet in our finished basement that is in need of replacement. A couple years after it was installed, we had a flood in the basement and either that, my efforts at cleaning it, or the professional carpet cleaner caused some major brown stains that will NOT go away. (They disappear when the carpet is wet but come right back when it is dry). The carpet was still under warranty, and the carpet company came out and after some kind of analysis said that the warranty was invalid because there was too much alkaline.

Ok, so here's my questions:

Any ideas for carpets I should consider? Polyester? Nylon? Something else? I don't think it is worth spending alot for top quality - we probably will sell the house in five years or less - and the basement isn't used all that much. And there are no kids.

The basement stays cold in the summer and is super cold in the winter (our home is in Minnesota). The carpet will go over concrete. We upgraded the pad initially. Is there something else I should do to make it less cold down there? If it were warmer, we might even use the basement more. It is a big area - 550 square feet.

I'm thinking a frieze - I think it will look warmer.

Thanks!

Deb

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

lucy
15 years ago
Never put carpet over concrete alone, especially in a cold bsmt, as it may well become moldy even from condensation (if indetectable to us). The least you need to do is put in a plywood subfloor, and if you there is any dampness, a plastic "vapor barrier" underneath that, then put the carpet pad on the wood and the carpet on top of it.
cyfree
15 years ago
I'd suggest a waterproof basement flooring system instead. Some can be installed over concrete, as a floating, interlocking tile system. They have carpeted finishes but they will not rot and favor mold growth.
The beauty of it? When you move in 5 years, you can take the flooring with you and install in your new basement.
Related Discussions
Basement finishing question
Q
Comments (1)
A 24" gap between the foam board insulation and the drywall neither adds measurably nor subtracts from the thermal efficiency of the wall. But it sure takes up a lot of space. "> Epoxy injection in foundation wall crack. Photo: Heather Joy Investments Ltd. The cracks between the foundation and slab should be sealed to prevent radon gas infiltration. See link. Here is a link that might be useful: EPA Citizens Guide to Radon Gas
...See More
Sealing basement concrete in finished basement w/ carpet?
Q
Comments (1)
I'm no expert, but I'd think it's worth doing, especially if you have anyone in the house with allergies or health conditions that are affected to mold. We had a huge mold problem in our basement earlier this summer (due to groundwater seeping in slowly through the walls. No leaks, no floods, just high humidity over a long period of time), and are having the entire basement redone. The mold remediation contractor found a lot of mold hidden underneath the carpet, since it stays perpetually damp, and there's plenty of "food" for the mold. I read an article that said carpet should only be installed in the basement if there's adequate "subflooring" or "underflooring" installed. Carpet laid directly onto the concrete will almost inevitably result in mold and the musty basement smell. For what it's worth, we've decided to do away with carpet entirely, and are looking into a waterproof vinyl floor.
...See More
need carpet suggestions finished basement
Q
Comments (2)
Carpet tiles are great for installation, but not as comfortable as carpet. but you might want to consider LVT as suggested above. It's more durable and market trends are blowing up over LVT. It all depends on your budget, but finding your local Carpetsplus Colortile will steer you in the perfect direction!
...See More
Thinking of finishing basement.. Flooring questions/ideas?..
Q
Comments (3)
Check your gutter system and water drainage around house. I had slight water in basement in one particular area before I placed gutters. In one problem area because water came off of one roof area down to another roof area and was concentrated /drain off in one area. Once gutters placed didn't have a problem. My basement is water proofed similar to yours. My parents have had water (not a lot but enough to soak carpet on one side of basement) in extreme rain periods, twice in 15 or more years. They had carpet with thin pad. They put down a berger with out pad just in case it ever gets wet again. No pad to dry and a jute backed thinner carpet just in case it gets wet again. If you want pusher carpet in one area lay a area rug there. The berger carpet is sufficient for warmth. I would be afraid to raise floors so carpet doesn't get wet, then you may not know if there is a issue.
...See More
mnnie
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks, cyfree and lucy. I am considering Dri-Core, although it is going to add a lot of time and cost to the project. Our problem really isn't water or even high humidity - the flood was caused by both our sump pumps going out before a major storm. - the main thing is I want a warmer basement. I talked to a carpenter today - we need to remove the baseboards and carpet, alter a couple doors, put the Dri-core down, and then we can install new carpeting. I might as well repaint too. Dri-core is supposed to raise the temp by about 6 degrees.

Related Stories

GREEN BUILDING Considering Concrete Floors? 3 Green-Minded Questions to Ask

By Melanie Loftus

Learn what’s in your concrete and about sustainability to make a healthy choice for your home and the earth

REMODELING GUIDES Considering a Fixer-Upper? 15 Questions to Ask First

By Sarah Phipps Design

Learn about the hidden costs and treasures of older homes to avoid budget surprises and accidentally tossing valuable features

REMODELING GUIDES Survive Your Home Remodel: 11 Must-Ask Questions

By Mitchell Parker

Plan ahead to keep minor hassles from turning into major headaches during an extensive renovation

MOST POPULAR 8 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Meeting With Your Designer

By Kelli Kaufer Designs

Thinking in advance about how you use your space will get your first design consultation off to its best start

Design Dilemmas: 4 Questions for Houzzers

By Annie Thornton

Share Your Advice for a Low-Water Garden, Wet Bar, Family Room and Basement Spa!

ORGANIZING Pre-Storage Checklist: 10 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Store

By Laura Gaskill

Wait, stop. Do you really need to keep that item you’re about to put into storage?

REMODELING GUIDES 9 Hard Questions to Ask When Shopping for Stone

By Ventana Construction LLC

Learn all about stone sizes, cracks, color issues and more so problems don't chip away at your design happiness later

KITCHEN DESIGN 9 Questions to Ask When Planning a Kitchen Pantry

By Susan Redman

Avoid blunders and get the storage space and layout you need by asking these questions before you begin

DOORS 5 Questions to Ask Before Installing a Barn Door

By Apartment 46 for the Home

Find out whether that barn door you love is the right solution for your space

REMODELING GUIDES 13 Essential Questions to Ask Yourself Before Tackling a Renovation

By Affecting Spaces Design Studio

No one knows you better than yourself, so to get the remodel you truly want, consider these questions first

Sponsored

Winks Remodeling & Handyman Services

1 Review

Custom Craftsmanship & Construction Solutions in Franklin County

More Discussions

Will marble lighten up??

7

Gray streaks on newly refinished wood floor.

6

Which direction for vinyl planks?

11

site finished engineered-is this a good deal?

4

HELP! Marmoleum repair issues

19