questions on sealing slab , underlay pad, double padding under laminate

pauls

I have noticed my concrete slab floor aborbs moisture. I need to know what kind of sealant should I brush down on my slab flooring to keep the moisture from accessing my future laminate.

I have already purchased my laminate from a company going out of business. I also purchased some blue foam with it. I find out the foam I bought is the cheapest you can get. This means it will echo when the laminate is walked on.

What kind of underlay pad is the best. and........since I already have this cheap foam can i put it down on the bottom and then put better underlayment on top? Would this help to keep the floor more cushioned, less hard and lessen the echo and provide more better protection to my laminate?

Thanks

Bob Mariani

Each laminate has underlayment that goes with it. They should not be interchanged. Cheap laminate goes with the cheap pad. Fixing one does nothing. Laminate floors are a very poor choice for basement floors, most are not even warranted for such use. Any moisture must be addressed first. Try two coats of dryloc. Test with a 4' X 4' plastic taped to the floor to verify no more moisture issues exist.

Floorwizard

Correct. When high moisture is detected there will be no warranty with the floor.
However get it within allowances and use a moisture barrier and warranties are on MOST lams out there.
I am not sure of your brand however.

Mudd

Doubling up the foam is a no-no.

The foam is thin for a reason.

Thicker foam will allow the planks to "hinge" from foot traffic, peaking edges and ultimately breaking up the floor.

pauls

this is not in a basement. it is a new workshop I am building. I understand the double padding. I think the laminate is middle grade not the cheapest and will serve me well. I think I will purchase the solid sound padding.

onlinehandyman

Yea guys you read this wrong - we always think basement when we here concrete or slab and laminate. I agree with everything mentioned before me. Moisture and laminate DO NOT MIX and that moisture does have to be at least contained. I also think that he could beef this padding up a little - not a lot, just a little. He said it was a mid grade and it would help if we knew the brand being that there are hundred of manufacturers out there. My concern is that I am not really cray about this kind of floor in a workshop. Laminate will scratch and chip.

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onlinehandyman


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Mudd

Better padding isn't thicker, it's denser. Floor Muffler and Quiet Walk are very good ones.

pauls

thanks all. this is a standard 8mm laminate flooring. its says high quality classic laminate floor german technology but its standard.
this is in a workshop where paint would drop etc. not a big deal However, I do want decent padding. I think floor muffler will do well.

thank you all for your feedback

Floorwizard

That's exactly right.