Anybody have any good ideas for a basement underflooring over concrete? I’ve looked at dricore (carried at Depot), but it seems a little pricey and particle board isn’t one of my favorite building materials. The floor can get wet every once in a while, but it would be nice to find something more cost effective.
SHG
For every complex problem, there is a solution that is clear, simple, and wrong.
-H.L. Mencken
To prevent moisture buildup and improve performance, install a continuous air barrier—such as drywall or specialized membranes—under tongue-and-groove boards or other interior wall paneling.
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Replies
SHG,
I used Delta-FL from a company in Canada. It is made of
high density polyethylene with 8mm dimples that create an air barrier between the floor and whatever you put on top. I had some water come up through the concrete, but true to their word, my floor remained dry.
I shopped around for distributors in the states and had it shipped to me. I think it was about 50 cents a square foot, but it worked.
Other than cost, there is another downside: my floor had some minor low spots in it and when you walk over those spots there is a kind of crunching noise when the dimples contact the concrete. But for me, I can live with the noise to keep my floor dry. They advertise that with the air barrier created by the dimples your floor will be approx 25% warmer than flat plastic sheeting.
There website is http://www.Deltams.ca
hope that helps. mule
I forgot to ask you, did you use any kind of paint on or spray on waterproofing on the slab? I need a recommendation on something like that if you have any ideas. mule
I haven't put any type of sealant on the floor. I put in a french drain, which is working very well, but still don't want ambient moisture coming up. I've tried water sealers in the past and haven't found anything to really do the job.
Thanks. I saw the delta when I was searching, but couldn't get any info on pricing. Also, after you put the dimpled ply down, you still need to sheath it. They recommend t&g ply and leave it as a floating subfloor.
But you're also right about the level, and I'm sure the floor is out of level. I read that they recommend putting additional layers of the dimple material down to level out the low spots, but wondered how well that would work, and how out of level it has to be before it's a problem.