Carpet Question?

[Ice_Fishin07]

I am laying down carpet in my unfinished basement. It is not permanent, but it will be there for few years. What should I use as a moisture barrier under the carpet? I plastic sheet would work or is there something specific out there for this use?

Thanks!

[CAMAN]

NEVER place plastic sheeting on top of concrete. You are able to place carpeting down onto concrete exactly like putting down on a wood subfloor. But if you have water problems, I'd recommend getting DriCore panels and placing them between the carpeting and concrete. They are 2ft x 2ft OSB panels with a bumpy plastic sheet on one side to allow the moisture to travel away and drain.

[Chad Peterson]

I would not put down nothing, due to moisture from the concrete that comes up naturally. The thing I would is clean the area your putting carpet over and free lay it or glue it dowm. I put carpet tile down and have great luck with it and no mold issues that would might get with plastic or moisture barrier. Good luck and I am sure other will chime in.

Sniffer

[Ice_Fishin07]

I don't think I have any moisture issues in the basement. My sump pump have never run in past two years even with the amount of rain we have had. I am just being over cautious to avoid any mold in future. I am not using any glue, but will just use seam tape.

[traveler]

If your basement is dry enough for carpet (read: dry!) than nothing is needed underneath. If you have occasional moisture, you're not going to be happy with carpet down there, ewven if you use the dri-lok panels...mositure will still wick into the carpet and you'll get a mildewy smell, if not outright mold.