I'm considering flooring options for my basement, which has raised floors (12 inches above the concrete foundation with plywood on top). Initially, I thought about installing Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP), but the floors aren't very level, and I worry that if I need to access the space beneath, I'd have to remove a significant amount of the LVP. So now I'm leaning towards carpet squares instead because they're easier to install and provide better access to the concrete. This part of the basement will mostly serve as a laundry/storage/work area, and I'm not too concerned about aesthetics since the other side already has hardwood flooring. However, I'm concerned about potential moisture issues. The carpet tiles I'm interested in are rated for indoor/outdoor use and claim they allow for breathability to prevent moisture buildup. Plus, I do have a large dehumidifier that runs automatically and self-empties. Should I be worried about moisture with carpet tiles in this setup?
2 Answers
Using carpet tiles can be a smart move! They let you replace just the damaged parts if moisture does become an issue, plus they look decent enough for a laundry/storage area. Just keep your dehumidifier running, and you should be fine!
I've had carpet directly on concrete for over ten years, and I've had no issues at all. You should be okay with carpet squares on raised floors, especially since your tiles are breathable.
Just a heads-up though, make sure you test for moisture levels occasionally. I had roll-out carpet at my old place, and every time we had a flood, we had to lift everything to dry it out. Raised floors help, but they don't eliminate the risk completely.