Expert: Stephen Hayes - 2/9/2009

Question
QUESTION: We have a large (620 sq ft) family room on the back of our home.  This room is an add on to the existing structure and is contructed on a slab.  The home is about 18 years old.  The original floor in this room is a parquet style floor tile. Overall the floor is in good condition.  We want to replace it though, as the style is outdated.

It seems that once each year, usually during the spring when there is a rapid change in humidty or ground temperature, we notice that the family room floor sweats.  Generally we just notice moisture under the couch or chair (both sit up 1-2" off the floor). I don't want to make this sound like we have a continuous problem with floor moisture...just about one time per year.  

We want to pop up all the existing tiles, sand down any residual adhesive and install a new floor (tile or laminate, not carpet).  

I'm curious if applying a sealant to the concrete will help prevent the annual sweating event, or if there are other things/options we should take into consideration.  

Thanks

ANSWER: Hi Casey;All floor covering manufacturers, and floor covering sundry manufacturers (underlayments, adhesives, cleaning agents, etc.), are in the throes of producing 'green' products which are recyclable, biodegradable, and friendy to our environment.  They are vastly different than those made just 1 or 2 years, ago.  Concrete is absorbent and always moves, so if you have a moisture problem, as you indicate, you must make certain it is solved before you install any type of floor covering, since the greatest failure in floor covering installations over a concrete slab, is moisture.  You may have a moisture problem, in the concrete that only shows in intense humidity times of the year.  It may be there, but evaporates so you don't see it, except in periods of high humidity.  The fact that you only see it once a year, does not mean you don't have a latent moisture problem.  Moisture also seeks its own level, so the areas where you see moisture, may be in an entirely different area than the actual source.  If the adhesive used in the installation of the parquet, was solvent based, it may not be affected by the moisture, but it is harmful to our environment.  Adhesives made today are water based, and are free of VOCs (volatile organic compounds), so your moisture problem really needs to be addressed by proper moisture testing.  That testing needs to be done by the new ASTM-E drilling, where drilling holes of about 1-2 inches deep are made into the concrete, and then tested for moisture.  Also, the new infrared cameras show moisture deposits.  If you don't test for moisture, and there is a moisture problem existing, your investment in new floor covering will be compromised.  You can have a local engineering firm who deals in moisture related issues, test the concrete, however some of your existing parquet would have to be lifted.  Are any of the tiles loose now?  Also, why don't you want carpet?  It is a very healthy floor covering.

Laminate should not be cleaned with water, so that would not be a good choice for that area.  Vinyl tile, installed over a proper underlayment, (one that has also been tested for moisture), would be a good choice, but, again, why wouldn't you want carpet?

If you have any other questions, or wish to discuss carpet, please feel free to get back to me, but please, do not ignore the moisture, solve it properly.

Cordially,

John Michaels

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: We don't want to do carpet in the room as we have 3 labs that we house in the room at night - having carpet with 3 dogs just isn't a good combination - too much dog hair (not to mention it's way harder to clean up the occasional upchuck when it's on carpet than it is when it's on tile).  I've actually identified a vinyl tile product that I'd like to install.  Can you provide some guidance on proper underlayment solutions for a vinyl tile installation, assuming I get the overall moisture solution investigated/resolved?

Thanks so much!  Very helpful info!

Answer
Hi, again, Casey;Besides solving the moisture problem, I would suggest that you visit the websites of Tarkett.com, Congoleum.com, and Mannington.com.  Look at their vinyl offerings in both residential and commercial.  Either sheet goods or tiles.  Commercial tiles are not only what you see in supermarkets, they are also available in some very attractive colors and patterns, so just because you want to cover a room in your home, does not mean that you have to settle for any type of look.  The residential color and pattern pallets are geared for the residential market, however the commercial market not only caters to supermarkets, but also upscale hotels, restaurants, hospitals, etc.  As an example, look at Tarkett's Elements.  It is available in both 12x12 inch and 9x9 inch tiles, that both come with a 'grout' extension, so you can mix and match those sizes in one room, and Tarkett has some layout suggestions that are very attractive.  Congoleum has a few good products in their Dura line.

Next, the key to protecting your investment is maintenance.  BEFORE you purchase anything, download the free installation specifications for the exact product(s) you like and thoroughly read them.  They will list very important things, including how the product is to be handled and installed before, during, and after the installation, acceptable underlayments, how those underlayments must be properly prepared to accept the installation of the new flooring, temperature and humidity ranges that must be in effect before, during, and forever after the installation, etc.  Also download the free maintenance manuals that will also detail many important things such as proper cleaning agents and techniques, the need for proper, absorbent, walk-off mats that should be used and constantly maintained at all entries to your home, allowable footwear (some hard surfaced flooring -vinyl, laminate, wood, ceramic, etc.), cannot be traversed in high heels, proper furniture leg protectors that should be used and constantly checked and cleaned of imbedded gritty type soils and monitored and changed when they begin to show signs of wear, the need to keep pets' claws trimmed, etc.  The true cost of any floor covering is product, installation, and maintenance over its useful life.  By obtaining all the information you can BEFORE you purchase anything, allows you to become an educated consumer, and you can watch the installation to make sure the installer is doing a proper job.  If I were you, I would let the chosen dealer know that you know how the product(s) are to be properly installed, so that dealer will send his or her best installer(s) to do your installation.  Please do NOT shop for your flooring at one of those large home supply stores or over the internet.  Shop at a local, reputable floor covering dealer who can supply proper product and installation, and warranty both of those things.  

If you have any other questions, or want to ask about products you have shopped and are considering, please feel free to get back to me.

Cordially,

John Michaels