NFT: Basement Floor Sealing Question

I dont think it is going to hold back water if you end up with a water problem.

You said you put French drains in. Hopefully, they lead to a sump pump that is sunken below the basement floor level. If the ground water is able to enter that sump pump, then you will most likely never have a situation where the water seeps up through the floor and into your carpet. Not if your pump is working. In theory, the water is being pumped out before it ever gets up to your carpet pad.

I would have more concern over the walls than the floor.

the walls are fine I think, they have a vapor barrier integrated into the drain and obviously a gap in between the sheet rock and the foundation - the framing touches the foundation but I'm not so concerned with that

My french drain goes to the sump pump the sump pump has a battery and then a second battery as a backup, so in theory even if power goes out I have 24 hours of time that the sump pump still works and empties to a dry well and after 24 hours then I'm SOL

In comment 13484166 pjcas18 said:

Quote:

the walls are fine I think, they have a vapor barrier integrated into the drain and obviously a gap in between the sheet rock and the foundation - the framing touches the foundation but I'm not so concerned with that My french drain goes to the sump pump the sump pump has a battery and then a second battery as a backup, so in theory even if power goes out I have 24 hours of time that the sump pump still works and empties to a dry well and after 24 hours then I'm SOL

It sounds like you are in good shape. Tell the wife Eric said no need to coat the floor with anything :)

in the event that you are still a little concerned. There are carpet pads that have a moisture barrier on one side.

to do. The best thing you can do - you've already done with the french drains. The ideal way to waterproof a slab is perimeter drains and underslab membranes. You obviously can't do underslab membranes.. so a perimeter drain (or french drain) is a great solution.

Epoxy sealants are a waste, as are most sealants for this application. There is one commercial product that i know of, but it's not worth the cost for you to look into - and it's primarily used for slabs with high moisture contents, as opposed to a waterproofing option.

I'm assuming with the french drains you have one (or more) sump pumps? You probably already have a battery back-up, but that's better money spent than epoxy sealant, if you haven't. Also 3 years of post drain installation and no major flooding is a good test sample. I wouldn't overthink it at this point, worst case - you flood again, as long as you rip up the carpet quickly it can probably be salvaged.. the padding, not so much. There are some really good commercial grade carpet with a heavy duty backing - so a pad really isn't needed unless you want something really plush. DO NOT GET A NATURAL BACKED CARPET. Regardless of how dry your basement is, they will ALWAYS have moisture. If you go with a natural backing it will not hold up well to the moisture and may be prone to mold growth. Synthetics are better for basements.

Another option - if your open to other flooring options, i love this product for a basement: http://www.expanko.com/products/corkcore-lvt-flooring/about-corkcore-lvt/

With vinyl sheet flooring that looks just like hard wood. Installs right over the concrete and never have to worry about moisture or water damage. Threw a couple of throw rugs down and it looks great. Everyone who has seen it thinks it's real hard wood flooring and it's cheap too like a 1.50 a square foot for material.

Also, run a dehumidifier... I have a finished basement w/ carpet. I run the dehumidifier year round.. It doesn't do much in the winter, cycles on and off a bit, but in the summer I'm getting a bucket of water a day and my basement smells "fresh" and dry... not musty. You can also get a pump w/ a float switch and have that sucker self empty into you French drain.

Good luck. Love my finished basement!

I bought a commercial model that drains to a hose instead of a catch basin. I run the hose down to my sump pump and leave it running 24/7.

I keep my cat litter in the unfinished side of my basement (have it split in half with a finished "Man Cave" and an unfinished side with boiler, tank, deep freezer, my tools, etc.). The dehumidifier has an added bonus effect of making the litter almost completely odorless.

I have a dehumidifier that runs year round and has a hose so it empties right into the sump pump, so I don't need to empty the bucket.

And you're correct, in the winter it hits the humidity setting and cycles off most of the time, it's only really the other three seasons it comes on and even cycles off during the other seasons at night pretty regularly when the humidity drops.