What type of green flooring is best for a basement floor?
We just had a rare flash flood which raised the water table and forced water into our basement between the floor and wall. It was a finished basement with carpeting. We don't plan to put carpeting back in but would like something nice looking that would not have to be removed if this ever happened again. It previously was a completly dry basement since 1993. Thanks for any help.
There are a few things you could do, one would be polished concrete floor and area rugs for comfort, those are easily picked up if there is any heavy weather events in the forecast. I would also propose that you look into something like Linoleum / Marmoleum flooring, but even that you wouldn’t want to leave submerged, so take steps to prevent future flooding. See more choices here on our flooring page -
Where to find non-toxic durable green flooring materials
If you don’t already have a sump pump I would suggest you install one, and even consider installing a battery backup, since heavy rains are often accompanied by power outages.
Did you have to remove all the walls as well? If so – consider seating the framed walls on foam blocks, so that if there is a flood then you may keep your wood and insulation dry. Also installing drywall up off the bottom means it won’t wick water up, and your baseboard trim will cover the gap.
You may also want to look into a sewage backup valve, and take steps to manage storm water runoff from your roof.
Here are more pages that may be of help:
How to insulate a basement and avoid mold
Best practices for basement construction
Sewage backup valve
Storm water management