I am thinking about installing the Armstrong swift-loc flooring system. I do have a damp basement floor with exisitng tiles. The moisture from the floor has broken down the glue which was used to place the tiles down. I did have a professional flooring installer look at the situation and was told that the dampness problem can be controlled with a dehumidifier. Some of the tiles have come up and they have been removed and the area filled in with an Armostrong Concrete Patch product. When you purchase the flooring system there is a plastic barrier and cushion underlayment which needs to be used. Someone advised me that I should use a roofing tar and paper over the existing floor before applying the plastic and underlayment. Has anyone ever heard of using tar? Would there be an odor? Appreciate any help anyone can give.
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- Armstrong swift-loc flooring system??????/damp floor
Any sort of Armstrong or Pergo flooring is waterproof, but only on top of each tile. The spaces between tiles, however small and tight, is not waterproof, and, as a result, makes them unideal for bathrooms, basements that are prone to flooding, or other damp rooms. Water will seep into the cracks and will eventually cause mildew and damp rot, regardless of the plastic underlayment.
You could seal the tiles by applying a waterproof sealant between tiles during installation or by applying a seperate layer of polyurethane after you install it.
Ceramic tile, not Armstrong or Pergo, is the most ideal for damp locations because it will resist water/dampness. (Be sure to seal the grout.)
As for the dehumidifier, you can also install a vent fan to ventilate the room and make it the same humidity as the rest of the house. It is a good idea, and it is "Code" for all new bathrooms in most communities. A dehumidifier is also a good idea for basements for health reasons, as well. (Fewer allergens and molds grow in a dry basement, and basement air is often the source for furnace/air conditioner systems).
Finally, the tarpaper idea is for a mositure barrier. It is commonly used, but often is overkill. Odor can occur, but usually the tarpaper is covered enough by something to prevent the smell from seeping.
[This message has been edited by Lawrence (edited March 28, 2001).]
Thanks for the information. Now do I understand that I can apply a waterproofer over the exisiting tiles and then polyurethane over the waterproofing? OR would it suffice to just use the tar and tar paper over the exiting tiles? Will the tar and tar paper keep the moisture from coming up through the underlayment? Due to the size of the room ceramic tile is out of the question due to the expense. Thanks for you help.
