@builder3 Thanks. It does. We got an engineered wood --Bruce Hydropel -- which says it’s waterproof. For whatever it’s worth, we’re in Colorado and never have flooding.
hilde452,489 posts09-20-2021 5:26amInterested in the suggestions here.
QUESTION: If there is concrete beneath the flooring put down (LVF, etc.) will it make a big difference?
@corelli
Use a solid vinyl product as mentioned by builder. It is the only logical choice.
Why is engineered hardwood not an option, in your opinion?
hilde45, the concrete generally isn’t a problem with LVP, it’s solid vinyl, so impervious to moisture, I believe. You do need to have a flat floor, humps, bumps, dips need to be addressed. If not, your finished floor will show those same issues. Engineered hardwood is a great choice (for wood) over concrete, essentially because the laminated core is far less susceptible to movement from moisture issues than solid wood. That being said, we’re only talking about basic moisture content fluctuations in the slab, not water or flooding, which would ruin the floor. Full disclosure, my background is residential building, not flooring. But these are products my subcontractors use and recommend. Hope this helps.
Any engineered floor that uses an mdf or similar core will swell if exposed to standing water. The product will be destroyed and look terrible especially along the edges. And even the solid hardwood surface can sustain damage if flooded. The wood swells, the finish sustains cracks and damage. If that's enough, on a damp substrate mold sets in.
Premium solid vinyl plank systems look very good, are acoustically dead, and you never will have water damage to this flooring.
Flo products by Moen can detect and shut off your main water supply, if the source of your water is internal. If external, at least you can know about it sooner.
Concrete can take a LONG time to dry, it may be dry on the surface, but wait longer, use fans, ventilate, IOW, don't trap the moisture within. If in a hurry, buy or rent
Carpet Tiles, laid with ’blue glue’ (quick release, just enough to keep them from moving). Man made fibers, very easy to clean, if disaster can be ’lifted up’, dried, shampooed in the driveway, put back down. Or, dried, put back down, shampooed in place.
Get an extra box of tiles for future replacements if individual tiles get ’painted’ with permanent markers by kids or adults.
My basement laundry room, I installed them myself, just spraying some 3M adhesive. Mine, commercial office grade, have cushioned backs, just a few held in place keep the others from moving IF they have heavy backing.
I use a residential size power scrubber and spray carpet cleaner if they get dirty, modern man made fibers clean easily.
Live in an area where this is common. After two times I went tile floors throughout basement. May not be best acoustically, but it mops or vacuum’s right up. You can find ways to deaden the floor, but anything that soaks up water is always going to be a pain.
Use a solid vinyl product as mentioned by builder. It is the only logical choice. Carpet and wood, of laminates with wood fiber core are all asking for trouble and lots of future expense if further flooding. Vinyl is acoustically pretty dead. Can place an area rug that could be removed if threat of further water damage.
If there's a chance of future flooding, I'd put down LVP, which stands for Luxury Vinyl Planking. Looks similar to the various Pergo products, but is solid vinyl, so water proof. After that, soundwise, do what you need to do to tune the room.
I don't think what you put down is as important as what you do afterwards. Decouple the mains and sub system. That will make a big difference..
I lost a record collection 37 years ago behind a refrigerator water supply line. There are still 300 400 LPs down there waiting for a clean up.. I was sick for 5 years..
It got my whole Beatles collection 45 and 33s and all of my Chet Atkins. Merle made it, thank god..
Similar situation here a couple years ago. Sorry to hear about the flood. I went with LVT wood look flooring and have a couple area rugs in key places. Sounds great. Ditched the spikes and went with de-coupling. Another improvement. Good luck!
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