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I bought a condo in Gainesville, FL last year, and I am remodeling, laying down bamboo hardwood floors. I started upstairs, that is done and it is great. Downstairs I ripped out the existing carpet, and I have noticed when I have plastic objects sitting in a spot, there will be a lot of moisture when I move them. I haven't done any calcium chloride tests yet, but the moisture will appear in 2 hours or less of me placing something on the concrete, so I think it's definitely coming up from the slab. So I am not sure what my options are. I know I can not glue down bamboo, unless I want it to buckle and rot. Some people have told me to seal it with a cement sealer paint, but I have read that it will not work due to the moisture coming from below, it only works on preventing moisture from getting in from the surface side. Something about the force of the water would just lift the seal up. I've also read the solution is to do drainage systems, but I seriously doubt my condo association would go along with that, not to mention who would cover the cost. My unit is in the middle of 4 units on one slab as far as I can tell. I spoke to one of my neighbors and he said he doesn't have a moisture problem at all. The carpet I pulled up did not have any mold that I could see, but I am very wary of the floor being damaged by moisture. Anyone have a tip, maybe who to contact to have it done professionally if it's not a DIY project?
I bought a condo in Gainesville, FL last year, and I am remodeling, laying down bamboo hardwood floors. I started upstairs, that is done and it is great. Downstairs I ripped out the existing carpet, and I have noticed when I have plastic objects sitting in a spot, there will be a lot of moisture when I move them. I haven't done any calcium chloride tests yet, but the moisture will appear in 2 hours or less of me placing something on the concrete, so I think it's definitely coming up from the slab. So I am not sure what my options are. I know I can not glue down bamboo, unless I want it to buckle and rot. Some people have told me to seal it with a cement sealer paint, but I have read that it will not work due to the moisture coming from below, it only works on preventing moisture from getting in from the surface side. Something about the force of the water would just lift the seal up. I've also read the solution is to do drainage systems, but I seriously doubt my condo association would go along with that, not to mention who would cover the cost. My unit is in the middle of 4 units on one slab as far as I can tell. I spoke to one of my neighbors and he said he doesn't have a moisture problem at all. The carpet I pulled up did not have any mold that I could see, but I am very wary of the floor being damaged by moisture. Anyone have a tip, maybe who to contact to have it done professionally if it's not a DIY project?
How about an engineered bamboo floor? I put down an engineered floor over DRICORE in my basement,three years,knock (faux) wood,no problems.You could probably put 1/4 or 1/2 inch luan (pressure treated) down,then float floor above it.More of a DIY project than the glue,with better chance of it not buckling.
Adhesive for the bamboo flooring-
http://ca01.webdms.sika.com/fileshow.do?documentID=49 (broken link)
Both wood flooring Assoc's are now accepting this practice. But it's not a DIY project.
Hmm, if I am reading this correctly, the moisture barrier seal won't work, it requires a moisture content between 5.5% and 10%. From what I have read, no one recommends correcting any problem unless the moisture content is above 11%. This looks like a DIY project for me, I did the whole installation of bamboo upstairs by myself, doesn't look like anything different than I did up there except an extra step.
How about an engineered bamboo floor? I put down an engineered floor over DRICORE in my basement,three years,knock (faux) wood,no problems.You could probably put 1/4 or 1/2 inch luan (pressure treated) down,then float floor above it.More of a DIY project than the glue,with better chance of it not buckling.
Well, I have actually already purchased the glue down bamboo, don't think I can exchange or return it either. The reason I went with that was because I don't want a hollow sounding floor, and I was worried about sagging with a raised subfloor installation. What does your floor sound like when you walk on it? Have you noticed any sagging? This space will have the most traffic in my home, so its pretty important to have it solid. I think my current bamboo glue down will still work with this, just worried about the dips and sags, and extra cost but it is what it is.
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