SaferBuilding™ Floor over Concrete SubFloor
Dear Sammi SaferBuilder,
My child has asthma and his doctor recommended that I remove all the carpets
from my home. My contractor said that there is concrete under the carpet.
Can I still install a safer floor?
Signed,
Wants a SaferBuilding™ Floor over Concrete SubFloor
|  |
Dear Concrete Subfloor,
Many progressive doctors are recommending smooth surface floors for patients
with asthma.
You'll want to remove carpeting using the contractor worksheet SaferBuilding™
Demolition over Concrete Sub-floor (SaferBuilding™
Demolition over Concrete Sub-floor). If not, there is likelihood of inadvertently contaminating the air that you are
trying to protect.
Second, you'll want to review the SaferBuilding™ Flooring Materials (SaferBuilding™ Flooring Materials).
Some builders advocate floating wood floors; however, they are not our first
choice. There may be toxins contained in the cushioned underlayment. There
will be adhesives (perhaps containing toxic ingredients) holding the wood
pieces together. Even if described as formaldehyde free, there may be other
toxic ingredients present.
Stone and tile are perhaps the safest. Check with a realtor to ensure that
stone and tile are appropriate for the local area. You may want to conform
to local market preferences to make sure that your money is well spent.
Attach the SaferBuilding™ Tile & Stone Floors worksheet
(SaferBuilding™ Tile & Stone Floors Worksheet) to your
tiling contract.
Solid wood is also an attractive option. The tricky part will choosing the
right material for the subfloor. We tend to avoid new plywood because of the
adhesives.
Another option is to have your floor installer nail solid wood planks across
the cement subfloor. Your floor installer or carpenter should know the
appropriate tools to install the wood planks onto the cement and the
appropriate distance in between the planks.
Install the solid wood floor in the opposite direction of the planks over
the cement. Make sure that your floor installer uses the SaferBuilding™ New
Wood Floors
SaferBuilding™ New
Wood Floors.
Check with your licensed contractor to make sure that proper measures have
been taken to create water barriers.

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