Karndean Rigid Flooring over a Sloped Basement Slab

Project overview

The goal, materials, and finished scope.

This July 2026 West Hartford project replaced layered carpet and VCT in an approximately 354-square-foot basement with Karndean Rigid Art Select Hickory Nutmeg. The concrete slab in the 1940s-era home sloped substantially and consistently from one side to the other, so preparation focused on flattening localized variation along that existing pitch—not making the floor level. A plastic moisture barrier was installed beneath the floating rigid floor. Because 12-by-12-inch VCT was present under the carpet, the removal plan required a negative asbestos test before that layer could be disturbed. The finishing plan also accounted for large gaps beneath portions of the existing baseboard with threshold and end-cap details.

Scope of work

The slab needed to be flatter, but it was not made level.

• Removed and disposed of the existing carpet and underlying VCT flooring
• Kept VCT disturbance contingent on the required negative asbestos test
• Flattened localized surface variation along the concrete slab's substantial, consistent slope without attempting to make the basement level
• Installed a plastic moisture barrier beneath the floating rigid floor
• Installed Karndean Rigid Art Select Hickory Nutmeg across approximately 354 square feet
• Planned threshold and end-cap finishing where large gaps remained beneath portions of the existing baseboard