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So I am finishing my basement and the side I'm finishing has an extra 4" pour on it as well as old 8x8 asbestos tile. My plan is to carpet over it. Do I need a vapor barrier? I get that concrete is porous but the tile on the 8" (4" on top of the original 4") leads me to believe that there already is a vapor barrier on the floor.

Thanks, Joe

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You don't mention what your climate is or whether you've had moisture in the basement. My answer is therefore in general.

Vapor barriers are rarely "barriers", and generally act as retarders. In this case, your tile is a fairly effective retarder. I'd discuss it with the carpet supplier/installer. It's often the case that carpet pad has a built-in moisture barrier as well.

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  • great point. I'm in zone 4b (more recently a 5) in south central Wisconsin. We have not had moisture in our basement since I've lived here (2 years).
    – tjcinnamon
    Commented Feb 18, 2016 at 17:24
  • Plant hardiness zones? springvalleyroses.com/learn/zonemap.html
    – isherwood
    Commented Feb 18, 2016 at 17:26
  • agricultural zones. Think Chicago weather with less wind
    – tjcinnamon
    Commented Feb 18, 2016 at 17:26
  • cold dry winters, wet springs, humid summers, damp to dry fall.
    – tjcinnamon
    Commented Feb 18, 2016 at 17:26

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