We are going to be installing carpet in our recently finished basement. We have resolved the water issues that we were having but as with all old houses we still have moisture coming through the floor as the cement breathes (I can see and smell it on some 6 mil that is partially covering the floor).
My question is: Before I lay down the underlay and carpet, should I a) put down 6 mil over the cement to try to prevent moisture reaching my carpet (my gut says no!) b)paint the floor with cement paint (not happy with this) or c) use breathable underpad directly on top of the cement and then add my carpet.

I am leaning towards option c but need your opinions or ideas.

Thanks!

Misty

Your'e not going to want to hear the right answer...demolish the floor, put the vaopr retarder where it belongs, under the floor, and then pour a new (dry) floor slab.

Second best method: place vapor retarder over the floor, tape all joints, and seal at all walls and penetrations such as posts, pipes, etc. Then lay 2x4 sleepers flat on the floor 16 inches on centers, but do not nail through the vapor retarder. Then plywood or OSB subfloor on the sleepers, and carpet over that.

Hi Richard thanks for the information.
I should have mentioned that the ceiling height is about 6'3" and I do not have room for a subfloor. This would be my #1 choice but I just don't have the head room.

Misty

If the ceiling height is 6'-3", the basement will not be a legal habitable space. There are other code requirements also, for example, a secondary means of egress is required.

If you need to sell the house, this may become a serious issue, because the buyers' lender often requires an up-to-date Certificate of Occupancy, which requires that whatever construction exists at the time conform to the building code. Inspection and certification after the fact is a very difficult issue.

Why not just clean the floor good and use an acid stain - put a throw rug down in the middle if you need it.