When choosing new carpeting for your basement, it will also be essential to select the most appropriate padding. This will not only ensure that the carpet is as comfortable as possible underfoot; the correct padding could help provide a layer of protection for your new carpet against dampness and other forms of moisture. Below are some tips that will help you make the best choice possible.
Why Carpet Padding is Essential in your Basement
One of the main purposes that carpet padding serves in a basement is to provide protection against moisture and/or dampness because many basement areas comprise of concrete flooring that absorbs moisture over time.
Owing to the fact that concrete is porous by nature, it means that your new carpeting will not last for long if the correct padding has not been placed underneath it. In addition, the moisture that makes its way into your carpeting will present a serious health hazard over time.
Must the Carpet Padding be Waterproof?
Many property owners think that waterproof carpet padding will be sufficient on its own to prevent moisture from getting through. However, this is not the case.
If only the waterproof carpet padding is being placed underneath the carpeting, it could in fact make the moisture issue even worse over time. As such, it’s strongly recommended that a good quality vapor barrier be installed on the bare flooring as the first line of defense against dampness. Once this has been laid, the padding can be placed over it and finally, the carpeting on top.
The purpose of a vapor barrier is to prevent any moisture from coming into direct contact with a carpet pad and the carpeting above it. Having this installed will ensure that your carpeting and padding layers are not affected by moisture over time.
What Material must a Carpet Pad Consist of?
Regardless of the material that your carpet pad has been manufactured from, it should be checked to ensure that it contains an antimicrobial. This will help ensure that no mold forms in the rare event that moisture gets through it and into the carpeting.
In most cases, some form of synthetic carpet pad will be the best option because they are generally resistant to mold. They also have the highest density rating out of all the various padding products that are available.
When choosing carpet padding, it’s essential to compare the overall quality as well as pricing. For example, one product may be substantially cheaper than another, but it may not be as dense or of as good quality as that which is a bit costlier.
After purchasing everything that’s needed to install basement carpeting, it’s crucial to ensure that professional installation takes place. This will enable the carpeting to be sufficiently stretched – if it isn’t it will fold and bunch, which will present a tripping hazard over time. Having your vapor barrier, padding, and carpeting installed by experienced professionals will also enable you to be provided with the appropriate warranty.