Basement Flooring Restoration

Basement Flooring Restoration After Water Damage

Evanston, IL

About This Project

Project Overview

Flooding in this Evanston basement left the homeowners with a completely unusable lower level. Standing water had penetrated the existing flooring and soaked into the subfloor beneath — the scope went well beyond a simple floor swap. Fairway began with thorough damage assessment before any demolition started, mapping every affected zone to ensure no moisture-compromised material would remain. Waterproof LVP was chosen for its long-term performance in below-grade moisture environments.

Project Details

Project Type

Basement Flooring Restoration

Location

Evanston, IL

BEFORE

Before

AFTER

After

The Challenge

What We Were Up Against

The flooding didn’t just damage the surface — it worked into the subfloor panels below. Moisture penetration causes panels to soften and lose structural integrity, and new flooring installed over compromised subfloor fails within months regardless of material quality. The project required section-by-section subfloor inspection across the entire footprint before any new material could go down. Urgency added pressure: below-grade moisture doesn’t stay static — the longer it remains, the greater the mold risk.

Our Solution

How We Solved It

Fairway began with complete removal of all damaged flooring, then assessed every section of exposed subfloor. Moisture-compromised panels were replaced entirely rather than patched — shortcutting that foundation creates problems that reappear within years. Once the subfloor was sound across the full footprint, high-density moisture-resistant underlayment was installed throughout.

Waterproof LVP was then installed wall to wall — engineered specifically for environments where moisture is an ongoing condition, not an unusual event. Fresh interior paint and professional perimeter detailing completed the restoration.

Scope of Work

What We Did

The full scope covered every phase from damage assessment through final finishing:

  • Complete removal of all water-damaged flooring across the full footprint
  • Section-by-section subfloor inspection and moisture mapping throughout
  • Replacement of all structurally compromised subfloor panels
  • Moisture treatment and thorough drying of all affected zones
  • High-density moisture-resistant underlayment installation throughout
  • Waterproof LVP flooring installation — wall to wall
  • Transition strips at all doorways and stairway connections
  • Baseboard removal, fresh interior paint throughout, and baseboard reinstallation

Materials & Finishes

What We Used

  • Waterproof luxury vinyl plank (LVP) flooring — engineered for below-grade moisture environments
  • High-density moisture-resistant underlayment throughout
  • Self-leveling compound — applied to subfloor where required
  • Interior latex paint — clean finish on walls and ceiling throughout
  • Baseboard trim and transition strips throughout

The Result

Delivered

The finished basement is unrecognizable from the flood-damaged space the homeowners were facing. Waterproof flooring runs wall to wall, fresh paint covers every surface, and every edge is professionally finished. The space is in better condition than it was before the flooding — which is the correct standard for a water damage restoration done right.

New flooring on a properly restored subfloor is a permanent fix. New flooring on a compromised subfloor is a temporary one. Fairway performed both phases at the same standard of care.

BEFORE

Before Gallery

AFTER

After Gallery

Ready to Transform Your Home?

Whether you're planning a full renovation or need a targeted repair, Fairway Home Remodeling delivers premium craftsmanship and clean results — on time, every time.

Or call us at (224) 333-1883