Nature Stone: An Option For Dealing With Damp Basement Floors
I’ve ripped out my basement carpeting twice in the last 6 months — there’s water everywhere.’ Sound familiar? The rainy 2007 fall, the 100-plus inches of snow last winter and recently a wet April, May and June all have contributed to the rising water in many area basements. With the possibility looming that flooding could happen again, homeowners are facing the dilemma: Replace the flooring with the same material or look for something more permanent.
A New Option For Basement Floors
“One product that can make sense for homeowners to consider for flood prone or normal basement floors is Nature Stone®,” says Alicia Szekeres of Nature Stone ofWisconsin. “It is the only floor covering option I know of engineered to permanently transform basements into beautiful living areas, plus it’s environmentally friendly.” Concrete floors in basements present a challenge when choosing floor coverings. Concrete, by its nature is porous, and therefore, moisture migrates upward from the ground and works its way through the concrete to the surface. Often you won’t notice the dampness because it just evaporates away and your concrete appears dry. But when you cover concrete with carpet, tile, paint or coatings, you are, in effect, sealing the surface and trapping the moisture between the concrete’s surface and the floor covering.
The Challenge Begins
“Then the real problems start,” Szekeres adds, “As the moisture pushes upward, it has nowhere to go, so it becomes trapped, building pressure, damaging your floor covering and creating a perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew.” By combining a blend of natural stones and a specially formulated epoxy, Nature Stone® allows the concrete to breathe through, naturally, preventing the growth of mold and mildew. It’s really a natural for the basement environment.
A Green Perspective
There are significant environmental aspects, as well, according to Szekeres. The chemicals used in Nature Stone® emit no volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and adhere to environmental responsibility guidelines published by the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED program. This, coupled with an anti-microbial agent gives Nature Stone® the ability to prohibit the growth of mold, helping safeguard indoor air quality without requiring any chemicals or waxes for cleaning and maintenance—just plain water.
Nature Stone’s® natural attributes speak for themselves:
• Not affected by dampness, moisture or even flooding
• Resists mold and mildew because of anti-microbial agents
• Reduces or eliminates musty and moldy odors
• Can be cleaned with a broom, vacuum or damp mop
• 2–3 times the insulation rating of carpeting (R-value)
• Comfortable to walk on (even in bare feet)
Nature Stone® flooring is a unique option for basement flooring and can also be used for interior concrete floors such as, laundry rooms, utility rooms, exercise rooms and sunrooms.
A wide variety of natural stone colors helps homeowners enhance the overall design theme of their home.
