Best ways to protect walls and floors in busy areas?

[JohnAlaric]

I like reading about home improvement and safety tips here. In my building projects, I often think about how to protect interior spaces from water and fire damage. For example, in busy bathrooms or kitchens, and in utility areas, I always try to plan good materials and methods so the place stays safe and dry for long time. When I make plans, I sometimes do interior waterproofing fire stopping estimating to know what materials I need and how much work it will take. It helps to think ahead before starting. I am curious what solutions other people use in their homes or projects to protect walls and floors from moisture and fire. Do you have favorite products or tips that work well and look nice too? Thanks!

 

[north1]

When I finished my basement I:

1. Used high moisture(green paper) Sheetrock on bottom row(installed horizontally so top row was regular Sheetrock).
2. Put a 2x4 on the floor to lift Sheetrock up
1 1/2” and the secured. That way if there was a water problem it wouldn’t soak it up as easily.
3. Used plastic base trim around bottom to minimize damage and warping.
4. Used rigid foam insulation cut 1/4” short on all sides and then used spray foam cans to fill in around edges to minimize moisture wicking that can happen with fiberglass insulation.
5. Installed commercial grade carpet without padding, glued to concrete so water can be vacuumed up easily and carpet dried with fans.
6. Installed moisture alarms on floor in a couple of places and next to sump pump pit to warn of water ingress early on.
7. Used high quality semigloss paint with fungicide to mitigate mold formation and ease cleaning of painted walls.
8. Used treated lumber for sill plates on all interior wall partitions.
9. Probably more but just off top of my head.