Keep Carpet from Becoming a Colony for Bugs and Mold
Fuzzy carpet and moisture are a bad mix
Laying carpet on top of an uninsulated concrete slab, or one without a capillaryForces that lift water or pull it through porous materials, such as concrete. The tendency of a material to wick water due to the surface tension of the water molecules. break, can trap moisture in the carpet, making it an ideal home for dust mites and mold. This can ruin indoor air quality. Carpet with a high-density short pile can reduce this risk, but it's best to keep slabs warm and dry from the start.
Green Points
LEED for HomesLeadership in Energy and Environmental Design. LEED for Homes is the residential green building program from the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). While this program is primarily designed for and applicable to new home projects, major gut rehabs can qualify. : 1/2 point available for fly ashFine particulates consisting primarily of silica, alumina, and iron that are collected from flue gases during coal combustion. Flyash is employed as a substitute for some of the portland cement used in the making of concrete, producing a denser, stronger, and slower-setting material while eliminating a portion of the energy-intensive cement required. More info or slag as replacement for 30% or more of Portland cement in foundation under (MR 2).
NGBSNational Green Building Standard Based on the NAHB Model Green Home Building Guidelines and passed through ANSI. This standard can be applied to both new homes, remodeling projects, and additions. /ICC-700: 3 points for use of foundation systems, such as slabs, that are considered resource-efficient (601.8); up to 4 points for recycled-content, fly ash or slag, as a substitute for portland cement (604.1); up to 4 points for use of slabs as part of a passive solar design (704.3).
Learn more in the Green Building Encyclopedia
Learn more in the Construction Detail Library
Turned-down Concrete Slab Details
Concrete Stem Wall Slab Details
