Construction questions

Oliver's Army · Post by **Oliver's Army** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 6:16 pm

So I am doing a minor fix-up of our basement and need some questions answered.

We have a 90 year old home with a basement that is ' slightly damp' Not wet, but a few spots leech a little moisture.

I am cleaning, scraping, patching and sterilizing, then painting the whole damn thing with Drylok and Killz to cover it and keep it dry.

Over half of the basement I want to float a raised floor. With pressure treated 1x4 or 2x4 floaters, then attaching 3/4 plywood over that. One, for a level surface as the cement floor is very old, irregular and bumpy. And two, to keep carpet off the floor directly.

So now, after I have waterproofed and painted the question is...

1. Do I lay a vapor barrier down directly onto the floor, then lay the floaters over it and attach the plywood to the floaters? My fear is that the plastic on the floor will prevent any moisture from evaporating creating a worse problem.

2. Lay the floaters down first, then attach the plastic to them and then the plywood? My fear is that moisture will be trapped and get to the floaters.

3. Use no vapor barrier at all to aid in circulation and allow any moisture to evaporate naturally?

Any other tips are welcomed.

angski · Post by **angski** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 6:20 pm

How about a #3/dehumidifier combo?

I really have no idea what I'm talking about.

Oliver's Army · Post by **Oliver's Army** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 6:22 pm

angski wrote:How about a #3/dehumidifier combo?

I really have no idea what I'm talking about.

Got one, running full blast all the time.

sevesd93 · Post by **sevesd93** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 6:55 pm

Ollie I am trying to do the same thing with my basement. It is constantly wet and seems to be seeping through the foundation.

Pretty much what i have been told is you cannot stop the water from the inside. You must give the water another route from the outside. Usually that means digging around the house and laying tile.

I think you will always have the moisture and you are correct about it getting trapped in the vapor barriers. I would try your hardest to let the water evaporate naturally and keep the dehumidifier running full blast, all the time.

Then again I am just a drummer and this is a music site, you might not want to listen to me.

Oliver's Army · Post by **Oliver's Army** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 7:10 pm

the exterior water will not be an issue as I will be redirecting and replacing the gutters.

My issue is more about overall humidity...not really 'wet'. Yes there are a couple spots that actually get wet, on the walls mostly, but that is a different issue.

My concern is a damp floor that nothing (affordable) will change.

I am beginning to lean towards no vapor barrier.