[idic5]

What would be a good floor covering over an old cement basement floor -in order to mitigate mucho dust - , that is nearby to a gas forced air furnace,
that is inexpensive
and not that hard or messy to install,
and that would not be too chemical-like (no carcinogenic composition or adhesives)?

 

[Just Bill]

I assume the floor is dry??? To test, tape downa piece of plastic or aluminum foil, tape all edges tightly. Check under the piece in a few days, if still dry, you can install most any flooring that you like. If damp, you will need a moisture barrier. If WET, forget flooring. Laminate flooring is good for basements, since they usually require a foam underlayment which isolates it from the concrete.

 

[deman480]

basement floor

Just Bill is right about the moisture thing, check that first.A few more questions though? How level is the basement floor?Being by your furnace I'm guessing it is for your laundry room/or your little work shop? That is common to see those close to the furnace. Is your basement partially finished and this is the last room. I ask that because your mentioned ( to keep dust down.)? I'm hoping not (wood) dust by the furnace(fire hazzard).
I suggest polypropylene flooring ( rubberized flooring roll/or interlocking tile type if you wish),especially if you have a uneven floor.
Also if it is in the laundry room and the wife is looking for comfort, anti-fatigue flooring may be better.
If you have moisture be sure to seal it(armor lock is one choice)then apply flooring.
Anyway you need to decide what fits your application best.

 

[idic5]

thanks for the replies. I would say the floor is kind of uneven. I think the floor is moist, but not wet. When I was clearing the area of junk, and lifted up an old large coleman cooler, there was moist black stuff - is that black mold? ouch!

The basement is partially finished in this way: it is a 30 x 30 area that had been compartmentalized into five rooms...

1) a very small tool and paint repository....foundation walls exposed, unfinished top space, and concrete floor surface

2) right next to this room, and delimited by a wall, is the room where the furnace is. There is maybe 10 x10 feet in front of the furnace for some storage items....this room has foundation walls exposed on the exterior side and internal walls delimiting the other rooms, top area unfinished, and concrete floor surface

3) three other rooms with finished sides, acoustical tiles on top, heat and electric; floor surface=wall to wall utility type of carpet.

The dust in the furnace room I referred to was dust from the eroding concrete that constitutes the floor mostly. then there is dust from the eroding foundation (fieldstone? limestone? -1882 vict) and mortar-like compound between the stones from the unfinished foundation walls close to and behind the furnace