Damp basement floors, in combination with organic materials like wood, breed mold that causes a musty smell and releases harmful airborne contaminants. If your basement floor becomes saturated, there are several options for replacing it that will be more durable, and more reliable than your old basement floor.

A good option for replacing your basement floor is inorganic carpet tiles. Organic material is mold food, so choose carpet tiles composed of inorganic materials. Options exist that can be individually removed for cleaning and also provide a good vapor barrier and insulation.

Another popular option is to use vinyl. All vinyl isn’t created equal, and what works upstairs will not work well in your basement. Choose vinyl flooring specifically designed for basement flooring. The ideal option provides insulation as well as a vapor barrier.

If you have enough headroom, you should consider installing a false floor by laying 1.5″ to 2″ extruded polystyrene foam directly onto the basement floor. Polystyrene will not rot and insulates against the cold, while keeping organic materials away from moisture. To install, apply 5/8″ plywood atop the polystyrene, then screw through the plywood and polystyrene directly into the concrete using fasteners. Finish the job with your choice of floor coverings.