Carpet Over Concrete Mold

Carpet is a great floor covering option for a finished basement for several reasons.

Carpet over concrete mold.

Carpet can be laid in the same manner as wood. If mold has grown in more than one area of the carpet or if the area of growth is larger than a couple of feet this will probably not be an effective method of mold removal. Carpeting a basement isn t impossible and if you like the soft feel of carpet fibers it may very well be the answer for you. Before you install the carpet make sure to check the concrete for any moisture issues that need to be addressed.

Carpet is warm soft and cushioned making it ideal for covering the cold cement floor. Any kind of persistent moisture will allow mold to get a foothold and soon ruin carpet or wood flooring. The answer is a qualified yes. Plywood carpet pad and carpet as shown.

For below grade slabs assume that the concrete floor will get damp at some point. The chosen fiber material type should be a synthetic form such as olefin face fiber. Carpet installed in a basement directly over concrete can be laid using either the direct glue down method or a stretch in over cushion. Any carpet fiber style from plush to loop can be applied to a concrete floor.

You then have two options depending on your circumstances. To install carpet on concrete choose a carpet that is constructed of synthetic products only as natural fibers are often too absorbent. It s important to put down padding as well to protect it from any kind of mold or mildew buildup from moisture as well as to help with the concrete beneath. Virtually all adhesives used in the industry today do not support mold growth.

Those in upper floors of the house that are always high and dry those in the basement that may possibly run into moisture problems and those outdoors that will definitely get wet. The ph of carpet installed over concrete is predictably not at a level conducive to mold growth. In addition carpet is one of the most flexible floor covering materials so even if your cement floor is not perfectly level carpet can be installed right over it. And both of the options use the same layers of 1 2 in.

Nearly all basements have either concrete floors or concrete subflooring. There are three different concrete floors to consider. As with all areas of the interior at risk for mold growth prevention is the best method of control for carpet mold. Then lay tack strips around the perimeter of the room and install your strips of padding.