Regarding the choice of basement flooring, there are various options to have an ideal selection from, i.e. tiles, vinyl, hardwood, concrete, etc. Some of these options are too expensive to be installed in the basement while others aren’t just right enough to be a perfect choice.
The waterproof laminate is a supreme choice for basement flooring. The reason why we recommend it for the basement involves the explanation of the benefits, features, and related aspects of laminate flooring. In this post by SPC Flooring, we’re going to give an extensive explanation of what you should know about laminate basement flooring.
Basement Flooring Choice Made Easy: Why Waterproof Laminate Is The Way To Go
The term “Waterproof Laminate” has been deliberately expressed so one doesn’t confuse it with “Water-resistant Laminate”. Both these categories differ up to a great extent with the former being the product of choice. You should always go for laminate flooring that’s not prone to water damage even in the case of flooding.
Avoiding Pitfalls: Solutions to Overcome Laminate Basement Flooring Problems
A basement is below the building’s foundation and therefore, has to face the damaging effects of flooding, enhanced humidity levels, groundwater seepage, etc. All these problems should be kept in mind while purchasing flooring for the basement. Here’s a brief explanation to avoid these pitfalls.
1. Groundwater Seepage
The basement flooring is usually concrete acting as the foundation. Underneath the concrete is groundwater in the Earth that levels up in cases of heavy rainfalls, flooding, ground humidity, etc.
This results in groundwater seepage and is a significant issue that can’t be overlooked for any flooring installation in the basement. Keeping in view this problem, modern homes are constructed with vapor barriers placed between the concrete foundation and the ground.
If this vapor barrier is not installed in your home, apply a waterproofing agent to prevent damage to the laminate flooring from groundwater seepage.
2. Raised Humidity Levels
Basements are usually damp places and that’s the reason why you feel cold in the cellar. This significant temperature difference allows surrounding moisture to condense, thus leading to raised humidity levels.
Under these conditions, a low-quality laminate will absorb moisture and will get affected by buckling, warping, and gaps between consecutive planks. Maintaining consistent humidity levels and taking preventative measures during installation can help to minimize the impact of humidity.
3. The Risk Of Flooding
Basements are prone to flooding for various reasons i.e. heavy rainfall, local flood, etc. It can also be that you’ve placed the washing machine, water heater, and similar appliances in the basement, and a malfunction can result in flooding.
The Ideal Choice Of Laminate Flooring: Essential Elements To Consider
Making an ideal choice involves considering several important factors to ensure that you select a quality product that meets your requirements and preferences.
- Durability: Make sure to purchase the most durable laminate that’s resistant to damage from scratches, spills, and water for lifelong benefits. Choose laminate luxury flooring that is 8mm thick at least.
- Aesthetics: Your home basement can be used as an additional living space. So why ignore the style and appearance of laminate flooring basement? Consider the style, color, texture, and pattern for a choice that complements your personal preferences.
- Installation: To enjoy cost-reduction benefits, choose a laminate floor type that can be easily DIY installed.
- Backing Material: Purchase laminate basement flooring with a solid plastic core and plastic backing for protection against water damage.
The Fundamental Significance Of Having Laminate Basement Flooring
Laminate flooring is an excellent choice for the basement due to the following benefits:
- Moisture-Resistant: It is resistant to moisture and can withstand high humidity levels commonly found in basements.woo
- Durable: Laminate floors are highly durable and can withstand heavy foot traffic without any signs of wear and tear damage over long periods.
- Easy To Clean & Maintain: The only maintenance needed for laminate floor surfaces is routine sweeping or vacuuming and sporadic damp mopping.
- Versatile: There is a wide range of styles and colors available on the market for a perfect choice to suit your aesthetic preferences.
- Cost-effective: It is a cheap and cost-effective alternative to traditional flooring options such as wood, tile, concrete, etc.
- Easy to install: It can easily be installed as a floating floor atop any type of subfloor without any adhesives, which makes it a DIY-friendly option.
The Tips & Tricks To DIY Install Laminate Flooring In The Basement
You should avoid installing laminate planks over new concrete surfaces because the raised moisture level of concrete will affect your installation. The following steps explain a damage-free DIY installation of laminate basement flooring.
- Seal The Concrete Surface: You should apply a chemical sealing agent or waterproofing agent over the concrete surface as a protective measure against damage from groundwater seepage.
- Place The Underlayment: Install a plastic foam underlayment as a moisture barrier adding further protection. The vapor barrier discussed earlier in the post serves the same function i.e. preventing moisture damage.
- Install The Flooring Planks: The laminate planks are to be measured, marked, and cut precisely. After that, position the planks over the subflooring and secure them in place using a sealant. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for flooring installation.
How To Test The Moisture Levels In Concrete Before Laminate Flooring Installation?
A plastic sheet test should be performed before installing laminate plank flooring in your basement. This precautionary measure determines whether or not the level of moisture in the concrete is suitable for laminate basement flooring installation. The plastic sheet test requires you to follow these steps;
- Cut a few squares out of plastic garbage bags and tape them to the basement concrete flooring at several places.
- Make sure that no vacuum is created between the bag’s surface and concrete flooring.
- Leave the plastic garbage bags attached to the concrete surface for over 3 days.
- Lift the plastic bag squares after the desired time. Check if the bag surface faced-down is moist or dry. If the surface is moist, don’t install a laminate floor in your basement for the time being.
- Wait for a few days and perform the test again to check whether or not the moisture level in the vinyl flooring has dropped.
To Put In A Nutshell
Waterproof laminate flooring is a perfect solution for your basement. It’s highly durable, completely moisture-resistant, cost-effective, and easy to install, clean, and maintain. Before installing laminate flooring, all the basement problems must be addressed. Keeping in view the important selection parameters, you can ideally choose your laminate plank flooring for the basement. Always test the moisture level of the concrete foundation before installing a laminate floor to avoid water damage problems in the future.