Carpeting basement, do I need to put down OSB?

OK, I'll be the contrarian. I agree that carpet over concrete works just fine, but I found a product that both Lowe's and Home Depot carries. check out www.subflor.com. We've used it with great success. It is good if any water infiltration is possible, it levels the floor, and it provides a better feel as it "lifts" you above the concrete. I first used it in a clients house, then my own basement gym and then my son's music room. Very easy to install.

Carpeting Basement

I presume the floor is very dry now.

I would not lay down OSB or any other underlayment board. It does not add value, just cost. Use a good grade of carpet designed for concrete floor use. Even though the high level of water may have been removed, basements remain damp especially in warmer weather. I suggest you focus on carpet products that are mildew and mold resistant.

It is up to you what to do next.

You could lay down a basement floor drainage system just in case.

You could cover the floor and walls with a couple inches of rigid foam board for insulation, then osb, then carpet

Or you can just do carpet. I've seen it done all ways.

I agree with everything the other persons have said, but would like to add one thing. Make sure the floor is dry. There is a simple test to find out if there is to much moisture in the cement. Take a piece of clear plastic about 3 feet square, lay it on the cement and place some weight on the corners to keep it in place. let it stay in place for 24 hours. When you check it, if there is a layer of moisture on the side of the plastic next to the cement you have a problem. Drying out the cement can be accomplished is several ways circulating warm dry air is the best and leave a window open in the basement.

The floor should be dry if you plan to lay carpet - there is no advantage with using OSB - in fact fixing it could wreck your waterproofing. Rot proof carpet seems a reasonable idea, loose laid or glued.

If you have already water proofed your floor then it's up to you. You can install your tack strip, padding and carpet and be done or spend the extra to subfloor it. It's up to you. Any extras you do cost money and also will take away from the height of the walls. will you have to remove and replace base? will it be harder to find doors to fit? Make a list of the pros and cons to see what will work better for you.

All you need is the pad and the carpet. That's what I have in my 5 year old house ( installed by the builder ) and it's warm in the winter ( n.e. Pennsylvania ) and the kids sleep on it all the time when friends are over.

They have a pink foam padding that's water resistant.If you use the tackless strips,you'll need wood moulding to hold the edges down.If the carpet gets wet it's usually trash.Mold grows like crazy and gets so thick it smells terrible.

If you've sealed the concrete all you need is padding/backing. OSB would not be wise.