Construction Resources and Support

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Say you waterproofed your basement last year and are happy with the results. You are using the Waterguard System. Now, you're getting ready to start finishing your basement and have several questions.

1 - The floor is very uneven and you will need to level it. Is Standard concrete the material of choice to even the floor? Is there another product that is used other than concrete to level the floor.

2 - Since you're leveling the floor, is a subfloor necessary.

3 - Should you put up a vapor barrier on the wall before putting up the framing or is that overkill since you have the Waterguard system installed.

Answers or Possible Solutions:

There are specific products made for leveling concrete floors. They are strong, thin and self leveling. You may want to talk with a concrete company or a masonry repair company.

Sub floors are usually recommended for several reasons:
1. they can act as a thermal break from the cold concrete surface.
2. They make the floor feel softer then any floor covering you can put on concrete.
3. They also create a moisture break or dampness from the concrete from penetrating the flooring causing it to smell, rot, get moldy or feel damp. However, if you use a wood sub floor you can loose about 4" of headroom and the wood can get damp or mold growth can occur from and moisture or vapor transmission.



A moisture barrier on the walls that is tucked into the Waterguard system is recommended. For someone finishing their basement, do a Google search for ThermalDry Wall Membrane. It has a dimple-drainage system that faces the wall and a aluminum reflective covering that faces the interior of the room. With a minimum of 1" spacing it will help reflect up to 98% of the heat back into the room.