Author Topic: How to tile basement laundry room floor?  (Read 2577 times)

Fortuna

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How to tile basement laundry room floor?
« on: March 08, 2016, 08:05:30 PM »
Looking to see if there are any tile setting experts in the MMM world who can help me?

I put vinyl plank flooring, the kind that comes in 1' x 3' planks and glues together, in my laundry room.  Two problems.  First the seems come apart probably due to the cold and moisture wicking up through the concrete (manufacturer claimed it could work on the concrete but no!).  Second there is some efflorescence coming up through the concrete and that creates the white powder under the tile and has a damp smell.

So I am looking for a  better option.  Can I tile it?  What do I have to do to make sure the tile thinset will adhere with the concrete given the problems above?  Should I put a membrane down like Kurdi?

Thanks!

iknowiyam

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Re: How to tile basement laundry room floor?
« Reply #1 on: March 09, 2016, 10:53:44 AM »
Is this a finished basement? Where is the moisture coming from? You said from under the floor, but are you sure? Personally, I would explore the moisture issue before doing any more flooring attempts - especially since the room contains at least one expensive electrical appliance.

Does a dehumidifier solve the problem?

Fortuna

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Re: How to tile basement laundry room floor?
« Reply #2 on: March 09, 2016, 07:23:20 PM »
Is this a finished basement? Where is the moisture coming from? You said from under the floor, but are you sure? Personally, I would explore the moisture issue before doing any more flooring attempts - especially since the room contains at least one expensive electrical appliance.

Does a dehumidifier solve the problem?

Basement is finished - but it was empty and dry for a few years before we finished it.  We are not getting actual water just the white crystals that form.  I would bet that the concrete was just poured on gravel or the ground (no moisture barrier) and is not as think as it should be.  It is an old house.

lthenderson

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Re: How to tile basement laundry room floor?
« Reply #3 on: March 10, 2016, 07:45:57 AM »
When tiling concrete, I make sure the floor is free of dirt and before applying thinset, moisten the surface with water so that it doesn't leach the water away from the thinset. I've never used Kurdi on a basement floor underneath tile so I can't really say about that. I'm guessing there isn't any vapor barrier under the concrete. I have seen white crystals from near joints in concrete when moisture leeches up through the concrete, condenses in warmer air and then crystallizes on the cold surface.

xyzzy

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Re: How to tile basement laundry room floor?
« Reply #4 on: March 16, 2016, 11:28:18 AM »
You might try Schluter's Ditra and not Kirdi. So the Dirtra will channel the vapor pressure to the sides to still allow it to escape. It also acts as a anti movement membrane (it allows for a little movement) in case your surface is subject to some hairline cracks (if its old, all the cracking has probably happened already). Ive used it before, its easy to put down. Just thinset it down first. Once it goes down, you will need a bit more thinset since the thinset on top must fill into the interlocking texture, but its no big deal. Ask on John Bridge's tile forum for more recommendations.