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Had a big argument with a builder about underlayment for a concrete slab job
He insisted on a basic 6 mil poly sheet for a glue-down LVP install in a basement, but I pushed for a full 2-in-1 vapor barrier and pad combo, which cost about $0.75 more per square foot. I went with my choice and the floor feels way better underfoot, but the builder was pretty annoyed about the extra cost. What's your go-to for slab prep when the budget gets tight?
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the_morgan9d ago
My uncle tried to save money on his garage floor by just using that thin plastic sheeting. Within a year, the concrete sweat made the whole place smell like a wet dog. He ended up tearing it all out and doing it over with a proper barrier. Sometimes that extra cost up front is just... you know, paying to not have a huge headache later. Builders hate change orders, but a basement floor is one of those things you really don't want to cut corners on.
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gavin_reed9d ago
Concrete sweat" sounds like a made up problem, is it really that big of a deal?
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