Do basement walls need to be floating?
If the foundation heaves, non-floating walls can push up on the floor joists and cause significant structural damage to the floors above and throughout the home. To prevent this, basement walls are built with the ability to adjust to that movement without creating serious damage.
What is the point of a floating wall?
Floating walls are designed to move slightly when the floor is expanding or contracting. This type of wall looks normal, but it is fitted with specialty plates that are located on the bottom of the frame. This allows for the movement to occur due to expansion or contraction.
How do you frame a floating wall in a basement?
Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: So basic the basic idea is that you frame your wall so that it's tight to the ceiling. But it has about a one-inch space down below. So you attach a for a plate first to the floor to the concrete.
What is a floating basement?
A floating basement is not a drainage system, but rather a way to prevent the basement floor from cracking. The floating floor allows some breathing room for the ground to rise and swell without causing structural damage to the home.
Are basement walls load bearing?
Assess your basement — Look in your basement or crawl space for steel beams or joists. If you do spot joists in your basement and there is a wall that runs perpendicular, this wall is most likely load bearing. If the wall is parallel above the joists, it’s most likely not a load-bearing wall.
How much space should be between studs and basement walls?
16-inch
Be sure to maintain the 16-inch on-center stud spacing, and check the wall frame to make sure it’s plumb before nailing it to the beam.
How do you secure a free standing wall?
Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Or two blocking we could talk about blocking in a minute with construction adhesive and three instructional screws I used like grk screws if the floor framing is running parallel to your half wall.
What is a structural basement?
STRUCTURAL DESIGN
Basement walls are typically constructed of cast-in-place concrete or concrete masonry units. Basement walls must be designed to resist lateral loads from the soil and vertical loads from the structure above.
Why is there a gap between basement wall and floor?
This joint, where your basement wall and floor meet, is known as a cove joint. It exists due to the way that a home’s foundation is poured. After your foundation footings are built, your basement walls are poured so that they slot into a keyway. This helps keep them properly aligned.
Can you waterproof a basement with a floating slab?
You can help eliminate moisture problems by waterproofing the floating slab along with the subterranean basement walls. Look for holes or cracks in the floating slab that you want to waterproof.
What type of flooring is best for basements?
The best type of flooring for basements is vinyl. Vinyl flooring can come in the form of vinyl plank and vinyl tile, giving it the ability to look nearly identical to hardwood and stone products with the added benefit of being waterproof. Vinyl flooring is made of PVC making it durable and waterproof.
Should I put a subfloor in my basement?
Subfloors are not always necessary but they are beneficial wherever they can be installed. They only come into play when you want to expand downward and make your basement a warm, livable space. If you don’t plan to use the space, there is no need for a subfloor or floor covering.
Is finishing your basement a good investment?
Great Return on Investment
In the United States, on average, finishing a basement will give you a return of 70 to 75% of your investment. For example, if you spent $1,000 on improvements, it would increase the value of the property by about $700.
Can mold grow under vinyl flooring on concrete?
Although vinyl plank flooring is well-known to be waterproof, it does not mean that liquids can seep through the cracks, grooves, or edges and become trapped under the planks, allowing mold to grow underneath your floors.
Do you need a vapor barrier on concrete?
You’ll typically need a vapor barrier if you’re installing flooring over concrete. Therefore, in high-humidity areas, moisture will move to a relatively low-humidity area, even through concrete.
Can moisture come up through concrete?
Humidity—warm and humid air condenses into surface moisture when it comes into contact with the cool surface of your concrete floor or slab. Faulty/Missing Vapor Barrier—moisture from the ground can seep up and through the concrete.
How do you stop moisture under vinyl flooring?
How To Prevent Moisture and Mold Under LVP flooring?
- Low water-cement ratio. While preparing the concrete subfloor, maintain a low water-cement ratio to the mixture. …
- Prevent continuous water exposure. …
- Let concrete slab dry well. …
- Consider using moisture barrier.
What happens if water gets under a floating floor?
While the top layer of laminate floors is water-resistant, the materials underneath often aren’t. As a result, water or other fluids can penetrate the board, causing it to swell and warp. Boards may begin to buckle, causing some to pop up and out of place.
Do you need a moisture barrier under vinyl flooring?
For vinyl flooring installations over wood subfloors, you will not need to worry about a moisture barrier, but you may want an underlayment for added cushion or sound reduction. It may also be a requirement in certain HOA or apartment complexes to have a sound barrier with your flooring.
