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Hardwood Over Concrete Slab

3K views 17 replies 6 participants last post by  ToolSeeker 
#1 ·
What is the best method to install 3/4 pre-finished hardwood over a concrete slab that was once a garage floor? The slab is not in a basement.
 
#16 ·
My earlier statement;
Plastic on a slab is one that can bite you.
Had nothing to do with a testing procedure. I was thinking of the method of applying visqueen and then flooring over it. It's usually a bad idea.

I agree the poly taped to the floor is just an indicator, tells you very little, only that there's moisture and you should do other tests. How about calcium chloride? Yes that's the link Rusty posted.

Jaz
 
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#3 ·
No disrespect meant but, But not a great plan.
Wood should never be in direct contact with concrete unless it's pressure treated. And no pressure treated plywood in this case is not the ansewer!
A whole lot easyer to lay a layer of vaper barrier and use engineered flooring and install it as a floating floor by gluing all the seams.
You would have the same look and feel, could still be refinished at some point, and still have real wood as a top layer.
Engineered flooring is below grade rated (yes I read where your not below grade but it's nice to use a product you know will not be effected)
 
#5 ·
If you lay the floor the way I suggested the 6 mil. os just layed on the slab, seams get taped, and flooring is just laid down over it. The only glue used is on the seams, not under it gluing it to the plastic.
It's done this way all the time in basements.
In one of my rentals I layed the 6 mil. then 3/4 blue foam panels on the slab before the engineered flooring to act as a thermal break.
Now the floor feels warmer, a the floor does not flex or move at all.
 
#7 ·
The same tape that's used on Tyvek house wrap will work.
I've never seen dence blue foam with foil on it but if there is I'd have it facing up.
Before doing anything take a look at some of the manufactures web site that make engineered flooring and take a look at the hundred or so differant type of wood avalible and also look at there install directions so you have a complete understanding.
 
#8 ·
You do not say where you are and I think that makes a diff. I am in fla. so everything is built on a concrete slab. So if the garage was poured at the same time it's probably the same thickness. If you are up north and have a basement a lot of times the garage floor is thinner than a slab. My suggestion would be to take couple places, tape down a piece of pretty heavy plastic (make sure it's sealed around the edge) let it set a couple days. Then remove and see if it is wet under the plastic. Depending on if it is wet or how wet it is you may have to explore other options.
 
#10 · (Edited)
Iplay,

There's all type of non-approved methods that individuals claim work well, some don't. Although some of these methods may work sometimes, they are not approved for a reason, they sometimes fail. Plastic on a slab is one that can bite you. What does the wood manufacturer say? What brand is it?

Jaz
 
#11 ·
Iplay,

There's all type of non-approved methods that individuals claim work well, some don't. Although some of these methods may work sometimes, they are not approved for a reason, they sometimes fail. Plastic on a slab is one that can bit you. What does the wood manufacturer say? What brand is it?

Jaz
I sent an email to the mfg. today on this matter. Thanks.
 
#18 ·
As far as gluing the floor down (engineered flooring only) I just put one down a short time ago and the customer bought the glue and it is "supposed" to form it's own vapor barrier. Ran him about $100 a bucket this is the first time i used it so don't know how it will hold up. This was on a slab here in fla. maybe go to a flooring store, NOT a big box store and you can find out about glue down. Here in fla everything is on a slab so they sell a ton of this stuff and tell me they aren't getting any call backs. Maybe check it out.:detective:
 
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