Basement Spaces

Basement Subfloor Systems: The Best Way To Protect New Finishes

A friend recently learned the hard way why basement subfloor systems are used. She laid down an expensive laminate and ceramic tiles, as part of a complete renovation of her century home’s basement. This do-it-yourselfer had no reason to consider that she might ever need to deal with dampness.

Basement Subfloor Systems

No history of flooding or sewer backups existed in her neighbourhood. When she pulled up the old carpeting and underlay, it was dry and in good shape.

Had she hired a professional contractor, likely they would have warned her that a problem-free history doesn’t mean that water seepage won’t ever occur and would’ve recommended a basement subfloor system.

Recently, an accumulation of snow against the house, topped by a good wallop of freezing rain and an ice-blocked downspout from the eavestrough, worked together to trap melting snow and ice so the water couldn’t flow away.

Where did it go? You guessed it – right into the basement, pooling on the ceramic floor in her new bathroom and laundry area. The drywall was also wet for several inches above the floor.

What will she do now? The laminate can come up easily but not the ceramic. It will need to be smashed out and redone if she is to correct the problem from the inside.

Don’t make the same mistake by assuming you will never have a wet basement.

There are many basement subfloor systems available, a great choice is the BARRICADE™ Modular Panel System. Barricade™ uses closed cell insulation, air gap channels and airtight edge gasket to protect your basement renovation from dissaster. The product is easy to work with, eliminating the need to install a separate moisture barrier, lay down insulation or install and secure a plywood subfloor.

If a traditional subfloor sounds like way too much work, try the Barricade basement subfloor system. It’s easier and will ensure you don’t have to rip out a brand new job to correct a problem that a basement subfloor system would have prevented.

Basement Tips

when you need more living space, by-pass the attic, forget the backyard, and turn to the basement
eliminate as many posts and columns as is practical. Design new walls to conceal necessary posts and columns whenever possible
The first step to warm comfortable basement flooring is BARRICADE™ Modular Subfloor. The insulated basement subfloor system is specifically designed to cover concrete floors
three important features that a basement subfloor systems must provide - Basement Floor Moisture Control, Basement Floor Insulation, Basement Floor Sound Control

back to Basement Articles...