Flooring for a Wet Basement
Rainy summers in Indiana can be a homeowner’s worst nightmare, especially for those with basements. Sometimes no matter what you do, from installing a new sump pump and fixing any structural or drainage problems, your basement is going to get water any time we get a large downpour. While that may never change, what can change is having to fix or replace your basement floor after every huge storm. Let’s take a look at some of the best and worst flooring options for basements that get wet.
The Worst Wet Basement Floors
Let’s start off with what you need to stay away from. Natural hardwood flooring, though elegant and classy, is off-limits if your basement regularly sees water. With too much moisture, hardwood will expand, distort and warp, which can make for large gaps between planks, uneven surfaces, and possible damage to floors or walls.
Most carpet options are out as well. The majority of carpets hold moisture for some time, allowing mold and mildew to grow and leaving you with unpleasant odors. There are a few select waterproof carpet options that can be removed, dried and reset on the floor while any sitting water is removed. Make sure you confirm with your Tish project manager if any carpet you choose can handle moisture.
The Best Flooring Options for Basements that Get Wet
Now that you know what to stay away from for your wet basement, what’s the right floor covering for your situation? It really depends on your lifestyle and preference, but the two categories we recommend most are ceramic or porcelain tile and resilient tiles or planks.
Tile flooring, due to its hard glaze, is impervious to water. Cleanup after a small flood is a breeze compared to other floor types. The downside to tile is that it can tend to be a bit more expensive than other options, and may not fit the style of your basement if it’s a play area or very casual space.
More versatile and affordable are resilient flooring products. Many are completely waterproof, and because of their unique interlocking design, can be easily pulled up while the subfloor is cleaned and dried. After cleanup, simply lay the interlocking pieces back down. In addition, resilient vinyl floors come in a huge variety of looks and styles that can match your home fashion sense.
No one likes dealing with a flooded basement, but with the right preparation you can take nearly all the hassle out of this unfortunate fact of life. When you’re ready to make those preparations, Tish Flooring of Indianapolis is here to help. Schedule your free in-home consultation and we can help you find the perfect floor to match both your home’s style and your needs. Call us at 879-TISH (8474) or fill out our simple consultation form to take the first steps in keeping your basement beautiful and dry!
