OT—damp basement

[HuskerPAC]

So our house was built in 1977. Have had some water issues from roots in the pipes from maple trees out back but otherwise it’s been fine. Last year I did a little remodel for a kids play area. I laid foam tiles for the floor and didn’t do any moisture barrier. Well, I just realized tonight there is moisture under that flooring (it isn’t breathable). There aren’t any leaks anywhere and the area that is damp is just the center of the room. So I think it’s a condensation/permeation issue.

Would laying some sort of barrier down work? Or a different flooring? Running a dehumidifier? I don’t want it plain concrete or my kids will kill themselves.

Here’s before and afters. I do have a dehumidifier running on the unfinished side but not the finished side.

 

[HuskerPAC]

And none of the wood is saturated in water so I know it isn’t coming from the perimeter.

 

[HuskerDocCo]

are you sure the moisture isn’t coming from your splooge fests Tim?

 

[HuskerPAC]

are you sure the moisture isn’t coming from your splooge fests Tim?

I’ll do some checking on that, doc.

 

[HuskerDocCo]

I’ll do some checking on that, doc.

just tryin to get the obvious elephant 🐘 in the room answer based on your well documented porno history, then we can whittle down the possibilities from there. it’s called “diagnosing” , we are here to help at tPB! Belch!

 

[HuskerDocCo]

i know @RedSeaRising has done a few basements and barns in his less than illustrious career, but he may be able to add some insight

 

[RedSeaRising]

So our house was built in 1977. Have had some water issues from roots in the pipes from maple trees out back but otherwise it’s been fine. Last year I did a little remodel for a kids play area. I laid foam tiles for the floor and didn’t do any moisture barrier. Well, I just realized tonight there is moisture under that flooring (it isn’t breathable). There aren’t any leaks anywhere and the area that is damp is just the center of the room. So I think it’s a condensation/permeation issue.

Would laying some sort of barrier down work? Or a different flooring? Running a dehumidifier? I don’t want it plain concrete or my kids will kill themselves.

Here’s before and afters. I do have a dehumidifier running on the unfinished side but not the finished side.

If I were a betting man I'd lay money on there not being a vapor barrier under your slab if house was built in 1977. So it could be either perched water or maybe rainwater coming up through the slab or via foundation.

Have you had a rain event recently? And btw it could still in theory be coming from the perimeter walls, to the bottom of the footing, then back up through the slab without saturating the wood on the wall. Not saying that's the case but it's theoretically possible.

 

[HuskerPAC]

If I were a betting man I'd lay money on there not being a vapor barrier under your slab if house was built in 1977. So it could be either perched water or maybe rainwater coming up through the slab or via foundation.

Have you had a rain event recently? And btw it could still in theory be coming from the perimeter walls, to the bottom of the footing, then back up through the slab without saturating the wood on the wall. Not saying that's the case but it's theoretically possible.

Some rain yes, not a ton but a few short, heavy ones. I also water the lawn 3-4x per week.

So am I just kinda screwed down there unless I spend a ton of $$? Had to thrasher come in 3 years ago to look and I was quoted like $20k.

 

[RedSeaRising]

Some rain yes, not a ton but a few short, heavy ones. I also water the lawn 3-4x per week.

So am I just kinda screwed down there unless I spend a ton of $$? Had to thrasher come in 3 years ago to look and I was quoted like $20k.

There are probably still things you can do that would be much cheaper than that. What was the specific scope thrasher quoted?

 

[HuskerPAC]

It’s been a few years but it was wall treatments, trenching, sump pumps, etc. Basically their full treatment.

 

[Bootleg11]

Some rain yes, not a ton but a few short, heavy ones. I also water the lawn 3-4x per week.

So am I just kinda screwed down there unless I spend a ton of $$? Had to thrasher come in 3 years ago to look and I was quoted like $20k.

Briefly (like 9 months) worked for Thrasher. Send me a private message.

 

[Bootleg11]

My guess is moisture coming through the cold joint of your foundation and also up through your slab.

 

[lee_carvallo_12]

OP - that mule deer in the pic is awesome. Where did he come from?

 

[HuskerPAC]

OP - that mule deer in the pic is awesome. Where did he come from?

Broadus, Montana. Super unique buck---only a 13" inside spread on a muley.

 

[Baron Winnebago]

Quit inviting Big Tone and lots of ladies over at the same time if you want to minimize the dampness. #Awooooooga

 

[lee_carvallo_12]

Broadus, Montana. Super unique buck---only a 13" inside spread on a muley.

Ya, very unique. How tall were his longest tines though?

 

[HuskerPAC]

Ya, very unique. How tall were his longest tines though?

I’d have to go measure again. Shot him in 2010 so it’s been a stretch. 14”+ is what I want to say.

 

[BluesBucksNHuskers]

Couldn’t get past looking at that beautiful Muley on the right. What a cool rack

Usually prefer the big wide Muley racks but that might be the most badass unique one I’ve seen

 

[HuskerDocCo]

Couldn’t get past looking at that beautiful Muley on the right. What a cool rack

Usually prefer the big wide Muley racks but that might be the most badass unique one I’ve seen

Yum, thanks for that. I once saw a nice rack, very plump and supple.

 

[kyle23]

Does the last Whitetail on the right have butthole eyes?

What floor did you lay? LVP? They do sell a poly liner that's a moisture barrier, but you'd have to tear up and reinstall the floor...

The liner is cheap and comes in 300ft rolls.