We are going to tear out a wooden floor that the previous owner laid directly over a concrete floor in the basement. The inspector noted that it smelled of mold there, so the floor needs to be removed and aired/dehumidified or whatever is necessary before anything else can be done.
I've managed to pry out a single plank and seen that the floor looks rather rough and worn. I have no idea what they used the room for before because they had some kind of floor paint underneath that has worn away.
So now the idea came up to do what's called self-leveling concrete. Now the room is quite large, about 20-30 square meters, and I've never even done any plastering before. Is this something a beginner should take on? What should one consider to get it right and avoid future problems with moisture and mold?
I assume it's not just about pouring it out and patting oneself on the back.
I've managed to pry out a single plank and seen that the floor looks rather rough and worn. I have no idea what they used the room for before because they had some kind of floor paint underneath that has worn away.
So now the idea came up to do what's called self-leveling concrete. Now the room is quite large, about 20-30 square meters, and I've never even done any plastering before. Is this something a beginner should take on? What should one consider to get it right and avoid future problems with moisture and mold?
I assume it's not just about pouring it out and patting oneself on the back.
First, you should perform mold remediation; otherwise, you won't get rid of the smell. The next step is to determine whether you have an insulated slab or not (probably not, since mold has developed), and you need to ensure that any incoming moisture can be ventilated out, either by evaporating into the room air or being ventilated out. If you want to be sure of having good air, a ventilated floor is necessary so you can expel any moisture. Otherwise, you must ensure that the leveling compound you choose can withstand incoming moisture.
When leveling the floor, divide it into parts, doing it all at once won't work well! Be several people (ideally three), one to mix, one to carry, and one to pour since you only have a few minutes between each bucket before it sets (=hardens).
There are also a bunch of threads here and videos on Youtube to check out!
When leveling the floor, divide it into parts, doing it all at once won't work well! Be several people (ideally three), one to mix, one to carry, and one to pour since you only have a few minutes between each bucket before it sets (=hardens).
There are also a bunch of threads here and videos on Youtube to check out!
Mold remediation? Yeah, the floorboard needs to be removed. Not sure how it looks overall on the floor or the underside of the board. Or maybe there's something else that should be done too?
Is there another way to determine if the foundation slab is insulated? Cold floor? Damp? The dehumidifier in the basement has measured lower humidity, but that's common in the winter.
Ventilated floor? Sounds like I should install some A/C in the floor?
There is no fresh air vent in the room in question, if that's what you were thinking in terms of airing it out. There are two windows though, but I should remember to open them now and then.
Is there another way to determine if the foundation slab is insulated? Cold floor? Damp? The dehumidifier in the basement has measured lower humidity, but that's common in the winter.
Ventilated floor? Sounds like I should install some A/C in the floor?
There is no fresh air vent in the room in question, if that's what you were thinking in terms of airing it out. There are two windows though, but I should remember to open them now and then.
Best answer
If it has been mold-damaged, both mold spores and odor penetrate into the concrete. It needs remediation if that's the case, to "enclose" the odor.
Read up a bit on ventilated floors and see if it seems like something for you.
If you lay tiles, it won't be necessary, but there's a risk that moisture will come through, and of course, the risk of odor...
Read up a bit on ventilated floors and see if it seems like something for you.
If you lay tiles, it won't be necessary, but there's a risk that moisture will come through, and of course, the risk of odor...
The idea is to avoid risking odors and other issues. In a future sale, odors are likely to deter people looking for the perfect house with a basement spa. But all jokes aside, I've seen people who have organized more permanent living spaces in the basement for, for example, children or guests.anders07 said:
Now I'm not sure if it was below ground level, which would affect moisture and mold and require other measures for construction (like the ventilated flooring you suggested), or not. But there's a thought there. It's unnecessary to have rooms that cannot be used.