December 12th, 2017
Existing basements have different finish levels. Some may have plain concrete walls and floors and are not insulated. Others are completely finished living spaces, including bedrooms, bathrooms and family rooms, with the same comfort and refinement as above grade rooms. Many homeowners consider finishing their basements to create more living space. However, existing basements have a major problem—they are underground and more susceptible to water leakage and water migration. CMHC studies show that in various parts of Canada up to half the basements surveyed have signs of moisture entry or damage from high humidity.1 Creating a living space in a damp environment can lead to building material degradation and health problems. While there has been some research on basement wall assemblies that withstand moisture,2 there is little work available about what flooring works well on concrete slabs.This CMHC research project looked at the options for finishing basement floors and their suitability for possible moisture problems.