What should we lay down under vinyl plank flooring to prevent well water from seeping up like it did in our basement office?
Asked by Aubree Brar 
2 months ago
Last Updated: October 7, 2024
Hey everyone! Just joined the group! Recently finished remodeling our basement and decided to use vinyl plank flooring in our new office. Unfortunately, we ran into some issues when water started coming up through the planks. Turns out we didn’t put anything underneath the flooring 😩 We had to rip it all up and deal with the awful smell. Any suggestions on what we should lay down before installing the plank flooring again? Interestingly enough, we had a carpet company put carpet in the rest of the basement and haven’t had any issues with that. Any advice is greatly appreciated! Thanks!
Identify the water source before taking any action.
Sandra Koppel: I believe the water is simply seeping through the cement. Water hasn’t been there before or since we tore up the floor.
Hey Heather, hydrostatic pressure is causing that issue. You’ll need to fix it before putting in a new floor, unless you want the problem to come back.
Make sure to use a hygrometer to check the carpet. Just because the top feels dry doesn’t mean the padding underneath isn’t still wet.
I always make sure to use Dricor when I’m installing flooring in a basement. It’s a must-have for me on those types of projects!
Could it be that the concrete in that spot isn’t properly sealed?
Regardless of your flooring choice, water seepage from under the floor is a serious concern.
If you didn’t build the basement following the Dry Basement Manual, covering the concrete with a vapor barrier will not solve the issue – period 🛑.
No matter what you put on the floor, condensation won’t stop – it’s a fact. Many municipalities and entire countries have moved towards a “No organics below grade” code since 2018 to address this. It’s unfortunate that many builders and online DIY resources are not up to date with modern building practices. Our Dry Basement Manual was first published in 1993 in 🇨🇦, and this trend has been researched extensively since 1979. It’s not a new concept.
Water seeping through basement floors is not from well water unless there is a pipe leak – it’s due to hydrostatic pressure. You can find resources at a good library on how to mitigate this issue.
I’m pretty sure she said “Well, water…” – Some people just have a habit of beginning all their sentences with “well” and “so.”
Sure thing, Terry! Thank you!