Is moisture barrier carpet padding worth the extra cost?

One type of padding that has become increasingly popular especially with pet owners is moisture barrier padding. Moisture padding is padding that has a moisture barrier on the top to prevent liquids from spills, pet accidents, and other liquids from getting into the padding and the subfloor. It has the added benefit of helping to protect your padding and subfloor from water damage. This helps protect it from mold and water damage and makes it easier to clean up liquids and spills. Moisture barrier padding is great against small spills, particularly pet urine. There are some issues with it, however.

The biggest issue with it is that if any liquid does get past the moisture barrier into the padding or subfloor, that liquid will not dry and can cause serious mold issues. This can occur from either incorrect installation or the liquid seeping in through the bottom, such as in a basement or in case of a flood. In larger rooms, there will also be seams in the carpet padding, which allows the liquid a place to soak into the padding.

The second issue is that the liquid still has to go somewhere. Since it can’t be absorbed into the padding, it will spread out and soak into the carpet. This can cause delamination of the carpet, where the carpet fibers become separated from the carpet backing.

Moisture barrier carpet padding is useful for families with pets and children who have to clean up spills and accidents. It is important to be aware of the possible downside if you determine that moisture barrier padding is right for your family. Stop by Carpet Depot and let us help you choose the right padding and flooring that will work for your home, family, and budget.