I searched your message board but didn't find an answer to my question. We want to install either hardwood or laminate in the living room. Our subfloor is concrete and we currently have carpet. Is there a way to do a moisture test ahead of time without ruining the carpet to determine whether our subfloor can tolerate anything other than carpet? If we do not pass the moisture tests, do we have to delete the wood floor idea? Help, my son has allegies! THANKS.

Hi Tim:

Welcome to our board. That question was never asked on our other board. It's a good one You'll have to "pull the carpet back" and off the tack strip after some furniture is moved around. To do so, grab a pair of pliers and pull from a corner to release the stretch. Unfortunately the carpet padding underneath may be perimeter glued(about 12" from the wall)--but maybe not. You could cut a square out of the padding in several areas and do a simple DIY moisture test if it won't come up easily.

Now, if the carpet has to go back permanently it will have to be re-stretched. There are new sealers on the market for problem slabs but they are not inexpensive.

You can put almost anything over almost anything,Tim.

Jerk back the carpet in a few corners and do a mat test. You can lay the carpet right back where it was. Check it about two days later. If there is no wet spot under your mats,you are good to go. If there is darkened concrete or condensed vapor on your plastic, you need to test the slab to find out what your emission levels are.

There are some great sealers coming to market these days.

Die you stupid spammer!!!

Edit: Thanks for taking care of the spam.

Someone got into my profile and hacked it!!!


I can't log in????

Floorguy

Good idea though. I put in a bunch of wood and have to do alot less dustin now..isn't that a shame. Imagine it is excellent for allergies