Ready to tear up that old carpeting in yourbasement? Perhaps you have suffered damage to your basement, or maybe you arejust ready for a makeover. Many basements come with pre-installed carpeting,and due the nature of a basement, it can become moldy or over time, or due to aflood. Additionally, carpeting can hold dust and other allergens. Whatever thereason, if it is time to remove that carpeting and resurface your basementfloor, here's how to get started, and a few flooring options to choose from.  

 When the old carpeting has been removed you willbe left with a dirty gray concrete slab. Before moving ahead with any other kindof flooring, the surface must be cleaned and prepped. For floors that are infairly good condition, an acid wash may be the best option. The acid will cleanthe surface of the concrete and open up the pores of the concrete.

 Another method is to grind off the old surfaceof the concrete. A shot-blast or bead-blast machine, a floor grinder, orconcrete polishing machine can be used. This type of work is best performed bya professional concrete contractor. 

 Regardless of how you choose to prep the floor,you will then be left with an ideal surface on which to build upon. One optionis to apply an epoxy coating, like those frequently used on a garage floor.However, this is not ideal as a basement does not have the proper ventilationrequired for this finish. Hardwood is another option but unfortunately, thenatural moisture of a basement will cause the wood to expand and contract,which will make the floor buckle. Vinyl or linoleum tile could be used, butagain, the moisture will present a challenge, affecting the adhesiveness of thetile and also causing warping. Ceramic or concrete tile is a more viable option- you could even install a heat mat underneath for warmth. This is expensive,but quite a treat if it can be afforded. 

 Possibly the most inexpensive and desirableoption is a concrete overlay. This may be called a skim coat and is a very thinlayer of fine concrete. This can be colored and there are plenty of creativeoptions for a durable yet aesthetic concrete floor. Acid staining can be used tocreate a unique variegated finish that resembles marble, stone, wood, or evenleather. Stencils or masking can be used to create a design or mimic the lookof tile or wood. You can also install radiant floor heat under any concretefinish. A professional concrete contractor can offer consultation and show youall the options available to you. 

 When it is time to resurface your basementfloor, cleaning and prepping the cement base is your first priority. Yourchoices are many when it comes to flooring options, but a concrete overlay isideal. This concrete resurfacing method is easy to clean, breathable, andmold-resistant, and may the best option for a basement floor.