Keep new floor from going down the drain

Q: The fall that we purchased our 1916 Craftsman home was a year of heavy snow and rain in Seattle. The wall-to-wall carpeting in our finished basement had been placed over an exterior drain. The result was an amazing floating carpet.

We fixed the drain issue but were hesitant to install new carpet. We have not had water in the basement again, but the concrete slab is clearly damp by the exterior door and in one small area of the bathroom. The concrete was once painted red, and the paint has leached up to discolor the vinyl.

What do you suggest for floor coverings or some type of corrective action? We have looked at a concrete overlay, with an oxidized coloring system that was attractive and, based on the literature, would hold up well.

Any other ideas?

A: Investing money in a new floor without knowing the source or cause of this seepage and dampness is risky. You could be putting a bandage on a larger issue.

Call a few drainage contractors to have them examine the leakage situation and provide proposals for repair. I would have the drainage lines scoped with a camera to be sure they are clear also.

Whether it is a ground water issue, broken pipes or lack of downspouts, there are many alternatives to remedy this situation, and you need to know the extent of the problem before putting in a new floor.

I personally love colored concrete, but colors and stains are not impervious to damage from moisture from beneath.

After making your seepage repair, another inexpensive alternative is laminate flooring. These products were initially branded as cheap — and cheap-looking — by many including myself, but they have improved remarkably in the past few years and work well for installation over concrete floors.

I have seen some attractive laminate products lately that rival pre-finished hardwoods on looks, but have it all over them on longevity, price and ability to withstand moisture.

Darrell Hay is a local home inspector and manages several rental properties. Send questions