How to Install Basement Flooring

The materials and tools required for installing flooring in your basement are as follows.

• 2 x 4 pressure treated studs
• 3''masonry screws
• 2'' galvanized wood screws
• ¾'' tongue and groove sun-flooring
• 1 ½'' rigid foam insulation

During the monsoons, if water percolates in your basement, installing flooring will be a total waste of time, energy, and money. Everything will be ruined, for example, the wood or carpet flooring would get damaged on account of water seepage. Resolve the problem, by waterproofing the area, and then continue the installation process.

From a home improvement store you can buy the concrete sealer and secure the flooring slabs tightly. This is a one-time procedure and needs to be done attentively and accurately.

Any sort of debris and dust needs to be removed prior to the installation of the concrete sealer. It's a simple roll-on application and takes 24 hours to settle properly.

If you wish to have an extended floor framing life, use pressure treated lumber for installation. Install the 2 x 4 sleepers (pressure treated materials) with the flat side down directly on the concrete. At every feet secure the 3'' masonry screws tightly. Again at every 16'' on the center of the flooring, establish these sleepers in a wall-to-wall fashion.

1 ½'' rigid foam insulation has to be installed in the bays right in between the sleepers. These foam insulation are available in wide boards measuring 15'' and 23'' wide. Use a utility knife to cut the board to a desired length.

The ¾'' tongue and groove plywood sub-flooring needs to be installed atop the sleeper. You will have to fasten them at every 8'' on the center with galvanized 2'' screws.

Note: The sub-flooring is chemically treated and hence, the texture of regular screws will not withstand much. If using galvanized screws is not possible, try using wooden screws as an alternative.