Church Basement Floor

[stullis]

Kman said You know, that explains so much now.

[Pastor]

Thanks Nick, Brian, Tandy, Kman, Floorguy. and Cproader (aka PK)! It is such a relief for me to have your expertise guide me through this tough process. I'll be looking into the calcium chloride tests asap - I never even knew such a thing existed! Once that's done, as noted, we'll know what to do next. I'll have some pictures up tomorrow so you can see the actual condition of the floor. God bless all of you!

[kwfloors]

In our old church we have carpet in the basement and it helps for noise and volunteer cleaning is just a vacuum. We have it cleaned once a year and it has been great for us. Just get a commercial grade carpet and glue it down. Watch your colors, keep in the neutral tones and this would be your less expensive route. The wood still needs to come out and any seapage you get with the glued down carpet could be extracted easily. Welcome to our place on the web, God Bless.

[Pastor]

God bless you too! Thanks for your post. I appreciate being able to explore these various options now, especially since yesterday I would not have had the slightest clue on how to proceed. I'm looking forward to having our floor truly ready to receive all the activities that take place there to the glory of God. Have a peaceful and blessed night!

[Kman]

Pastor, take a look at this job I did a couple of years ago. While this wasn't below grade like yours is, it's being used for the same types of activities as your space. It looks just as good today as it did the day I finished it.

Commercial Tile in NE Arkansas | Welcome to Trevathan Floorcovering

[Pastor]

Kman, it looks great! In fact it has a great resemblance to our floor. If we could get it look as good as the one you did, we'd be really happy! I'm interested in the Redgard mentioned at the site; I'll check our local Home Depot to see if they have it, or I'll order it online when we get the final plans in place. Thanks for your help, and have a great day!

[Tandy Reeves]

Pastor, stay out of HD. Please do not step over dollars to get to pennies. Get a pro. That is the reason Kman's floor looks so good he is a pro. Where are you located? We can help you find a pro. that can do the moisture testing and install the floor covering you decide on. I do not have the site name at hand, but there is a sight where consumers tell of their experiences with HD.

[Nick Arrera]

Just Google HD complaints .

[mcbrides]

Hello Pastor. We agree with Floorguy, the wood has to go. If this is an area where a sump-pump backup is a potential problem, then ceramic tile or vinyl composite tile will be your best bet (professionally installed, of course). And YES, STAY OUT of Home Depot. Find true professionals.

[Demonseed]

I am partial to Collins and Aikman carpet or carpet tiles. The backing on some of these materials prevents spilled food or bevarages from seeping into it. It is much easier to install, requires less floor prep and tiles can be removed and replaced as needed, while the 6 foot goods can be easily repaired if damaged. It may not be as long term as the other flooring options available, but it would be more comfortable for kids and the elderly. What I envision is you could do most of the area with the Carpet tile and do entry ways with the VCT or ceramic, and other areas as needed (kitchen/serving area/dance floor/etc)

[TFP Admin]

Let's not jump to conclusions. He said he'd go to Home Depot to check on Redgard, not an installer. HD does retail sales too, ya know.

Jim
PS: but I think most of us will agree that the size and scope of this project would indicate it's not a DIY project and to do so in a public facility would be hazardous to your financial well being in the long term.

[Pastor]

Thank you all for your words of advice! I was only going to check to see if HD had Redguard, and was not aware what a bad rep it has for installations. I could use the information regarding a pro that could do this work for us. We're located at 2137 Ellis Avenue, Bronx, New York, 10462. I've attached pictures of the floor so you can all see what we're dealing with here. Thanks again for your time and assistance!

[Floorguy]

That is VCT tiles, not ceramic.

Yes there are voids busting through.

[TFP Admin]

Pastor,

VCT = Vinyl Composition Tile. It looks like it was installed on particleboard. VCT and Pboard don't mix very well, especially if it gets mopped with a wet mop often enough. The water/solution will seep into the cracks between tile and soak into the pboard. The pboard appears to have also been affected by a previous moisture problem and it has weakened the pboard severely. It also looks like the substrate (in this case, the pboard) hasn't been properly prepared - smoothed to give the surface of the floor a flat, smooth finish.

We have members in your general vicinity and I hope they contact you. You can also post a "looking for an installer in NY" topic in this forum: Looking For A Flooring Professional or Product - The Best Floor Covering Information & Resources - point them to this topic (copy & paste this address: http://www.thefloorpro.com/community/general-flooring-discussion/5456-church-basement-floor.html) about your dilemma and you'll get better results.

Jim

[Demonseed]

When you decide what you want to do post here, I am in Garfield NJ, which is 20 mins from the bronx (no traffic). I can try to get up there on a Saturday before a Yankee game. I can at least take a look at it, I can't promise anything but won't hurt.

Pastor said Thank you all for your words of advice! I was only going to check to see if HD had Redguard, and was not aware what a bad rep it has for installations. I could use the information regarding a pro that could do thi2137 Ellis Avenue, Bronx, New York, 10462. I've attached pictures of the floor so you can all see what we're dealing with here. Thanks again for your time and assistance! Attachment 5857Attachment 5858Attachment 5859 Attachment 5860Attachment 5861Attachment 5862 Attachment 5863Attachment 5864Attachment 5866