Flooring Moisture Barrier Question

[Todah Tear]

I will be installing some flooring over concrete slab. I am replacing flooring that got damaged from a waterheater malfunction. Anyway, I have been entertaining the thought of painting the concrete with a moisture seal-type paint (like the kind for a garage floor) instead of the sheets of poly film that is usually used. I don't know if gas-out may be an issue over time. My thinking is that I can be sure to seal even the edges of the floor with the coating, as opposed to, the sheet of poly that may trap moisture underneath it (between concrete and poly sheet) which would be a clubhouse for mold.

Concrete sealant-type paint vs Poly Moisture Sheets (sound barrier capability asside):
What do you think? Is there a flaw in my plan?

Todah

[DezPrado]

I don't believe there is a flaw in your plan at all. About seven years aago I installed timber flooring over tne concrete slab of our newly built house. To get the unconditional warranty for the oak floooring I had to glue it down, Fair enough, but the best adhesive product info stipulated I use a polyurethane moisture barrier over the concrete. Not being the "builder that knows everything or better type", I complied. Spent several hundred dollars for the 2-pot stuff & went to work with the paint rollers . Best move I made. Floor still looks brilliant.
I saw recently on a consumer rights show a house featured that had major problems with similarly laid floor. No moisture barrier & the floor was stuffed with cupping, warps & mould underneath evident. All the contractors/vendors involved were runninig for cover, no one individual owning up. Tens of thousands of dollars of good floor ruined, home owner devastated, because someeone short cut, "aah you don't need that stuff". Bollocks!! Do it right,& do it once. Go cheap, buy twice I reckon.
You're on the right track & go for it

[Todah Tear]

Thanks for the info DezPrado!

[Todah Tear]

Well, I have removed the carpet and padding. I also removed some ceramic tile that was in the foyer and some that was used as the landing for the fireplace. Eventually, the ceramic tile that frames the fireplace will be removed and replaced with glass tile.

BEFORE - Carpet still in place


Carpet Removal


Fireplace landing removed
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Quality Inspectors - They are very meticulous!
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I'll load the pictures of the ceramic tile thinset removal later.

Todah

[jstrubberg]

Todah,

A few years back we replaced the crpet in the man cave downstairs. Since we have dogs, I wanted to do something to guard against future accidents (Those of you who have ever tried to get a pee stain out of concrete will understand why).

I puled the carpet and pad, cleaned and etched the concete, then sealed it with concrete sealer advertised for garage use. It comes in a five gallon bucket, goes on with a roller and broomstick and seals the concrete up tight. No more permanent stains and no need for a moisture barrier. Cheap, too. I think I paid around $70 and have more than enough to seal both our garages left, providing I ever get the garages clean enough to seal!

This is year 3 and we have had zero problems with the carpet and pad installed directly over the sealed concrete.

[Todah Tear]

...I pulled the carpet and pad, cleaned and etched the concrete, then sealed it with concrete sealer advertised for garage use....This is year 3 and we have had zero problems with the carpet and pad installed directly over the sealed concrete.

Hey Jstrubberg,

That is just what I used, garage floor concrete seal. I used the same thing in my garage years ago.

Flooring will be delivered tomorrow. I'll Kiltz and paint the drywall and baseboards once tomorrow.

Sealed Floor (Evidently, I got dust inside my camera lens compartment the other night - white blotches)



Todah

[Todah Tear]

After this weekend, I am 85% done. I still have to touch-up the wall paint and install the base boards and quarter-round. The flooring took about 8.5 hours, split between Saturday and Sunday.

Flooring:







Todah

[DezPrado]

I hope you had a beer when you'd finished... for that looks like a job well done. very handsome indeed.

[Todah Tear]

Thank you DezPrado.

I didn't have a beer, but I did have several bottles of Gatorade throughout the install. I'll celebrate when the kitchen is done.

Todah