Since I may get around to putting sand in the stage this weekend, I wanted to ask that if the stage is on felt paper over concrete slab (which it is), and the stage is constructed out of P/T lumber (which it is), is there any disadvantage to not using plastic before putting in the sand? I know that a couple of people have done without. I could just caulk between the floor and the stage to keep it from dribbling out. Or is there some other reason I'm not understanding? Thanks.

Most of the time it is faster and easier to just put plastic down. The other concern is if there is a flood - as long as the plastic is intact, the water won't get in.

Ants and other little buggers who might find a small crack and say what a wonderful place this would be to build a colony. Plastic is good first line defense.

Ants and other little buggers who might find a small crack and say what a wonderful place this would be to build a colony. Plastic is good first line defense.

Good point Big. Not a big deal using plastic I guess; was just curious. Doesn't look like I'm going to get that far this weekend anyway. Seems like there's always something else going on that pulls me out of the basement.

Did you put anything on the bottem of the stage ?? Meaning - is there a base the sand is sitting on to help "pull" the stage down, or did you just pour it between the cavities ?

I'm at about the same point you are and was also wondering on the plastic.

One word, Moisture! Just about any type of sand fill will have a moisture content and if you dont have a vapor barrier that misture will be a breeding ground for mold that you will never get rid of

Why put sand in the stage?

Why put sand in the stage?


Welcome. Basically to dampen resonances and eliminate the transfer of vibrations to the rest of the house.

Using the advanced search function with the word sand in the title there are 22 threads on that topic.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/search.php?searchid=13239895

One word, Moisture! Just about any type of sand fill will have a moisture content and if you dont have a vapor barrier that misture will be a breeding ground for mold that you will never get rid of

Problem is that vapor barrier will also trap the moisture in from the wood that also has some moisture content (especially P/T), unless it's been lying around for a long time, so you've got a chance at getting mold anyway. That's why there's a whole different school of thought these days on vapor barriers over framing against the foundation. The plastic traps moisture in so that the walls never get a chance to dry when condensation forms. Wood needs a chance to "breathe." But that being said, I guess I'll be using plastic before I put in the sand. Thanks everyone for your thoughts.

Problem is that vapor barrier will also trap the moisture in from the wood that also has some moisture content (especially P/T), unless it's been lying around for a long time, so you've got a chance at getting mold anyway. That's why there's a whole different school of thought these days on vapor barriers over framing against the foundation. The plastic traps moisture in so that the walls never get a chance to dry when condensation forms. Wood needs a chance to "breathe." But that being said, I guess I'll be using plastic before I put in the sand. Thanks everyone for your thoughts.
why not just do like a plastic bowl? only line the bottom and sides, and then it can all still breathe while only having the top as an entry point. If it's over the top, you're up the creek anyway, literally.

why not just do like a plastic bowl? only line the bottom and sides, and then it can all still breathe while only having the top as an entry point. If it's over the top, you're up the creek anyway, literally.

I did that and just keep my eye open for ants.

Why put sand in the stage?

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1048045

If anyone is overly concerned with using a plastic liner (blocking moisture transfer either direction) you could use weed barrier instead.

If you just want to keep the sand from leaking out (or are paranoid about ants getting in…) you can get a fabric at your local home gardening store that is designed to retain earth/sand but let water moisture pass through. It is intended to be put down beneath mulch, etc. to keep weeds from sprouting up, but let water drain through. Having just filled my son’s outside sandbox after lining it with this stuff, I can say that it retains sand quite well.

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Search?keyword=weed%2Bbarrier&langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

-Suntan