When finishing a basement, homeowners and renovators face a common enemy, moisture. With any room below grade or ground level, the potential for water seepage is a constant threat. When it comes to flooring for the basement, one has to be especially careful; mold and mildew coupled with water damage will certainly ruin a floor as well as pose a health risk. However, these problems can be tackled to allow a basement to become a usable living space that a homeowner can enjoy for years while adding value to the home.

Checking For Water

Simply put, there is no floor known to mankind that can stand up to a constant pool of standing water or heavy condensation. The first step in a basement flooring project is to assess the amount of water present on the floor. The easiest way to get a good idea on how much water is present is to place a plastic garbage bag on the floor and seal the edges with tape. Repeat this in several places in the basement. After twenty-four hours, pull up the plastic and check to see how much water has gathered underneath. After such a short time, there should be no moisture buildup. If there is water present, an underlying water seepage problem exists that has to be corrected before a floor can be laid down.

Best Bets for Basement Flooring

Let’s assume the water test came out good and the surface is ready for flooring. Moisture will always be an issue given enough time, so the proper material has to be chosen for a long life below ground level. The first option is concrete flooring; concrete floors will suffer the least damage from water intrusion. Concrete can be stained and painted to fit in with any style and a good layer of insulation will stop the floor from feeling like an ice skating rink. It is also the most economical choice for a durable basement floor.

Beyond concrete, tile floors make a good choice for a basement application. Strong stones like slate are the best tile floors for a basement and they hold up well against moisture.

Engineered hardwood floors make an interesting choice for a finished basement. These manufactured materials are created with layers specifically suited to stopping water damage. Even with protective coatings and layers, large amounts of water will still damage the hardwood flooring surface. Laminate floors are also a similar choice for their limited water protection for drier areas of the country.

Another option is vinyl tiles. If the subfloor is absolutely dry, the adhesive will hold the vinyl down. The best feature here is that with such a low cost for materials and installation of vinyl tiles, if the floor does become damaged, the financial loss is minimized.

Basement Flooring Materials to Avoid

With that said, always avoid using carpet or standard hardwood floors. Carpets will quickly become a breeding ground for mold and mildew. Even a hardwood floor that is meticulously stained and sealed repeatedly will eventually succumb to water damage. Additionally, avoid soft ceramic tile floors, as they will not hold up to long-term water exposure.

While installing flooring below ground level can be a daunting task, today’s wide range of flooring material choices gives homeowners new options for finishing a basement without the worries of water damage.