Carpet question,

[the colors]

I have a very dry basement since digging it out and putting in a drainage system. My question is do I need to put anything under the carpet padding cause I see here some put down plastic as a vapor barrier im guessing.

[bpape]

If it's dry, there should be no need. Standard carpet pad and carpet will be fine. If you have the height, budget, and want a bit of feel, you can use Dri-Cor over the concrete prior to carpet.

Bryan

[the colors]

Thanks Bryan, I do have the hieght availabilty but if I don't need it I will put the money towards the Roxal safe and sound insulation in the ceiling. I have been really slow on this project but trying to think out all possabilities before spending any money. I do have a lot of pics from digging out the basement with 5gallon buckets totalling 90 yards of dirt!

[bpape]

Depending on how you're going to do the ceiling (clips and channel, green glue, etc.) the Safe and Sound may not do much of anything but spend money.

You certainly don't need the floor again depending on the isolation desires. It's more for feel and to help stop flanking through the slab.

Bryan

[the colors]

Wow, I thought using the Roxal would be worth it for sound deadening. The ceiling I have to use is a drop ceiling due to the things in the rafters that can't be buried. Is there any good products for this kind of setup? I did insulate all the walls even the inside walls. It does sound not so bad even without having the carpet down yet. My thinking is when the furniture and other items are in place the room will be quiet.

[bpape]

From an isolation standpoint, you're limited using drop tiles. The Roxul will help a little. From the standpoint of allowing the ceiling to be a large broadband bass absorber, it won't change much.

Bryan

[Anthony]

If you are putting in just carpet, it should be fine. However, some moisture will wick through the concrete. But carpet breathes, so it should not be a problem. Hardwoods or laminates are another story, though.

Also, if you haven't framed yet, make sure the bottom plate is pressure treated (the part that meets the concrete. Even with the basement being dry, the wood can absorb and hold moisture and slowly rot. Probably won't be a problem, but it would be a major pain if it did.

Good luck.

[the colors]

bpape wrote:

From an isolation standpoint, you're limited using drop tiles. The Roxul will help a little. From the standpoint of allowing the ceiling to be a large broadband bass absorber, it won't change much.

Bryan

I am going to install R19 above the tiles for some piece of mind that I treid to do somthing and I'm sure would be cheaper and maybe as effective as the Roxal in this case? If so you just saved me a lot of money! I would have liked to drywall the ceiling but it would be against code for my situation. I do have some ideas with the ceiling like putting in some fiber optics as a night time effect. I am trying to make the best of what I have and this site is great for me as a newbe to get ideas from.

[the colors]

Anthony wrote:

If you are putting in just carpet, it should be fine. However, some moisture will wick through the concrete. But carpet breathes, so it should not be a problem. Hardwoods or laminates are another story, though.

Also, if you haven't framed yet, make sure the bottom plate is pressure treated (the part that meets the concrete. Even with the basement being dry, the wood can absorb and hold moisture and slowly rot. Probably won't be a problem, but it would be a major pain if it did.

Good luck.

Thanks for the heads up, yes I did put down P.T for the bottom plate and also used PL premium glue.
There was one inside partition wall about six feet long were I did use regular stud for the sill put the floor is really dry. I had some card board boxes in place for over a year and when moved they were still dry.

[Anthony]

You should be fine. I just moved to a house with an unfinished basement. We think it's dry, but are holding off for a year before we finish it just to be sure. I know too many people who have re-done their basements due to surprise floods and inadequate drainage. Sounds like you are all set though.

And remember, pics, pics pics!