rubber flooring in basement problem

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ralph

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about 2 months ago i installed 1/2" 4x4 interlocking recycled rubber tiles on top of porcelain tiles in my basement for a future home gym. Now I'm noticing small water puddles underneath the rubber tiles. I'm guessing this is due to the humidity in the basement. Is there anything I can do about this? I dont want to be exercising in an area where mold may be growing.
 
I'd recommend pulling the rubber, giving a nice wash, and take it outside to fully dry. Then mop the floor with a bleach solution. Once the floors are dry, you might want to consider installing an automatic de-humidifier for the room.
 
I'd recommend pulling the rubber, giving a nice wash, and take it outside to fully dry. Then mop the floor with a bleach solution. Once the floors are dry, you might want to consider installing an automatic de-humidifier for the room
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would the dehumidifier have to operate 24/7 once I reinstall the rubber mats after cleaning the floor?
 
This would depend on whether you have a vapor barrier, recent rains, ambient humidity, etc. Most have a control on them which allows them to run automatically, depending on the humidity.
 
This would depend on whether you have a vapor barrier, recent rains, ambient humidity, etc. Most have a control on them which allows them to run automatically, depending on the humidity
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I own the type of dehumidifier that just continues to operate until the tank is full. I can however set a timer on it so that for instance, it runs for 10 hours and then shuts off for two hours etc....
 
It sure wouldn't hurt to give it a try!
 
You have water vapor transmission.
Remove tiles, clean with bleach, if floor is not coated use this product, hit link below.If floor is coated, remove coating, scratch with a screen and use this product:
http://legacyindustrial.net/cart/densifier-and-waterproofer-5-gal-p-118.html

It slows water transmission in both directions. I would run the dehumidifier too. Pipe a drain to your sump-pump hole or plumb into the weep drain on your air conditioner. If none of these exist, raise the unit up on a shelf drain into a 5 gallon bucket and add a small water activated sump-pump with a garden hose through the foundation to the outside.
 
I also want to know about it and this page gives me very useful information about flooring. Thanks for sharing.
 
tectonicfloors said:
I also want to know about it and this page gives me very useful information about flooring. Thanks for sharing.
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Is it hard to find information about flooring in India? :D
 
It's a water vapor transmission issue. Applying penetrating vapor block to the floor is about the best thing you can do. Although there are other ways to go about, I just mentioned the cheaper of them.
 
Grind the floor and apply a negative side vapor barrier.
This is a 100% solids epoxy product that can hold back the moisture to 25 psi.

If this is outside your budget, consider a densifier treatment. It may not end the problem but will definitely slow it down.
 
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