I am planning on installing carpet in my basement in the very near future. Could you please tell me whether it is advisable to put padding underneath the carpet? If you do not recommend doing this, what are your reasons? Also, I had cuts put into the concrete (stress-relief cuts). Should these be filled with anything prior to putting down the carpet? (I have heard that perhaps these should be filled with caulking).
Answer:
My reasons for not installing an under pad have to do with the possibility of a flood. The under pad would soak it up and then there is nowhere for the moisture to go so mould and mildew start and are held onto by both pad and carpet. If there is a flood, for whatever reason, at least the under pad and possibly the carpet too, will have to be discarded. The only drawback to all this is that you void the warranty on the carpet if you don't install an under pad with it.
