Living on Concrete Floors Question

[senior citizen]

I've been wondering if anyone has experienced foot, leg, knee pain while living on cement slab floors?

The northern states which predominately have wood floors in the living areas which are over the basement area, may not have cement floors throughout their homes, (except in the basements or sub basements which often become family rooms/recreation rooms/laundry rooms/office space, workshops/hobby rooms, etc.) so perhaps time exposed to the concrete might be minimal......but just wondering how those living part time as a snowbird or as a full time Florida resident might impact those with osteo arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromylagia, Lupus, etc might feel after existing on cement slabs?

Some have mentioned to me it's a seasonal thing......but when the heat is turned on in the winter time it seems to take some of the dampness off.

Others say, it doesn't matter what season.....the achy feeling from the cement floors seems to permeate their bones/joints/legs.

Up north, some people find that they have radon beneath the cement.

There has been speculation that the radon might be contributing to the leg/bone/joint pain.......or even lung cancer.

Is that ever a problem in The Villages? Any of those willing to voice an honest response? Other parts of Fl. have felt their leg pain after moving there, whether part or full time, as they have shared with me.

Other than putting radiant heat under the floors, which is kind of crazy sounding given the heat of Florida, any solutions?

Thanks in advance for any thoughts on the matter....or personal experience living or working on cement slabs floors.
****************************
HEALTH PROBLEMS CAUSED BY LIVING ON CONCRETE FLOORS
Foot Discomfort
The lack of shock absorbency in concrete flooring affects feet first, causing the soles and heels
to ache.

Feet take the brunt of the hard impact, as the muscles in the feet absorb the impact to protect the legs, back and rest of the body.

Muscles can become sore, and over time, bones may even weaken as a result, leading to susceptibility to fracture.
Lower-Leg Pain
People who live for long periods of time on concrete floors may develop lower-leg pain as the feet fail to absorb the full shock of concrete to the joints.

The muscles in the calves can become sore as they endure more impact than usual from the hard concrete, and knees may begin to ache.

Over time, the joints in the knees can become permanently damaged and arthritis may develop.

Concrete floors have long been used in industrial buildings, and recently they have become popular in residential apartments and homes, too.

But while concrete floors are in vogue, people who live on them can suffer from a number of health problems resulting from exposure to concrete and the lack of shock absorbency they provide.

These health problems range from mild to severe and can have an impact that lasts for years.

Concrete floors can even cause permanent damage to muscles and cause long-lasting pain.

[tucson]

Yes I had leg aches & spider veins appear since living in a all tile house.

[graciegirl]

Yes. It is a change and not as comfortable as living on a surface with a sub floor.

[Cantwaittoarrive]

First I don't know of anyone here living on uncovered concrete floors, might be some but I doubt it. Otherwise it's not any different than if you have tile floors up north. if you are going to stand for a long time wear good shoes. There is also a benefit to living on uncovered concrete floors it would allow you to ground yourself without going outside. Grounding is purported to have health benefits

[tucson]

First I don't know of anyone here living on uncovered concrete floors, might be some but I doubt it. Otherwise it's not any different than if you have tile floors up north. if you are going to stand for a long time wear good shoes. There is also a benefit to living on uncovered concrete floors it would allow you to ground yourself without going outside. Grounding is purported to have health benefits

Hi, Can you explain "grounding", I've never heard of that term, thanks.

[rubicon]

Grounding like you can't ground your club in a bunker or a lateral hazard
but with feet on a concrete slab its a good thing:D

I am going to suggest that with some folks its anatomy with others its because of inadequate footwear and possible because of lack of exercise.

Many people have tile throughout their homes and walk around in sandals all day every day except for cold spells here and never have foot, ankle leg problems

PS What does good grounding me when it comes to a concrete floor:wave:

[asianthree]

There is a difference between the concrete carpeted floors in Florida in our home there then the carpeted areas and wood floors in our home up north. I think it just takes time to get used to. If you're putting a new carpeting you can always go to a better dense carpet pad

[pooh]

Having lived in houses built on a concrete slab since 1974, I can tell you what I've experienced. It can cause some discomfort without a doubt. One way to help with the pain is to make sure you do not walk around without shoes on. It's really a simple solution. We walk around cities, malls, sidewalks and don't always complain about leg or foot discomfort...we have shoes on. I do walk barefoot indoors every now and then, but not often. If I don't want to wear shoes, I'll put on a pair of slippers....they offer some cushioning. Carpeted areas are easy to walk on.

The floors are not "damp" like one notices in basements. Slabs sit mostly above ground and we have the air conditioner on more months than not. Air conditioning tends to dry out the air so dampness hasn't been a problem with the air on. Winter is cooler, but not as cold as in other parts of the country. The soil is generally warmer than the air. Have not noticed "cold" floors in the winter.

As for radon, you can have testing done and mitigation systems set up I imagine. Hadn't thought too much about it since windows were open a lot when living out west. Here not so much in the summer. Honestly would have to research it a bit further, but not today....heading out for the day.

[pooh]

You can get some info from the Florida Dept. Of Health....

FAQ | Florida Department of Health (http://www.floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/radon/radon-faq.html)

[Bogie Shooter]

Is this a plus or a minus in the long saga, of deciding to move or to not move to The Villages??

[zonerboy]

Foot, knee, and leg pain?
For some it is weight related.
For some it is age related.
Is it concrete slab related?
Post hoc, ergo propter hoc......Non.

[KayakerNC]

Foot, knee, and leg pain?
For some it is weight related.
For some it is age related.
Is it concrete slab related?
Post hoc, ergo procter hoc......Non.

:agree:

[manaboutown]

Having lived both in homes with concrete floors and homes with raised wood floors supported on beams I have found little difference in how my feet, knees, and so on feel. Currently, at age 72, I have homes with both concrete and raised wood floors and do not notice any difference when I walk around, usually in my stocking feet.

Most of the folks I have known who find concrete flooring uncomfortable are substantially overweight and/or have other health issues which make them particularly sensitive to the surfaces upon which they walk.

I agree with a prior poster. If a person wears proper foot gear the type of flooring in the home should not matter.

[John_W]

I had the opposite reaction. I hated wood floors over a basement, it made me want to walk lightly so as not to make so much noise. Since I grew up in Florida, I've worn flip-flops in the house all my life, never had a problem.

http://thebuckleboutique.com/images/products/detail/BlankSmallBlackFlipFlops.1.jpg

[fl boomer]

Lived in a condo full time on the beach with tile floors and constantly had leg pain & developed spider veins....finally realized it was because of the concrete under the floors.......always wear Crocs or slip on tennis shoes now & NO PROBLEMS!

[applesoffh]

Came down from NYC with bad knees which only got worse on the concrete slab. I have cushioning mats in the kitchen, tile and wood in the common areas and carpet in the bedrooms. When I replace the carpets, which will happen in a couple of years, I will absolutely, definitely, get the best padding I can. These floors are tough on the legs/knees, which wasn't the case on the floors back north.

[CFrance]

Have been living on all-tile floors since 1997. No spider veins, no foot, ankle knee problems. Mostly wear shoes in the house, but not always.

You're not moving to TV anyway... I would find a forum in the place you're going to move to and ask those people.

[Barefoot]

A lot of "golden-age" people have arthritis. In my case, wearing three-inch heels for decades didn't help.
Wearing sandals with good footbeds helps (naot or memphisto are two names I like).
Of course, ceramic tile is very hard on knees.
If you're still wearing flipflops or going barefoot, then good for you.

Senior, in your case, since you're planning to stay in Vermont, why are you worried about radon in The Villages?
In Vermont, you probably won't be wearing sandals a whole lot.
People there could probably be of more help with suggestions about what works in a colder climate.

[rubicon]

anatomy/genes as stated in earlier post. if your talking jogging than that's a horse of a different color

[NotGolfer]

A lot of "golden-age" people have arthritis. In my case, wearing three-inch heels for decades didn't help.
Wearing sandals with good footbeds helps (naot or memphisto are two names I like).
Of course, ceramic tile is very hard on knees.
If you're still wearing flipflops or going barefoot, then good for you.

Senior, in your case, since you're planning to stay in Vermont, why are you worried about radon in The Villages?
In Vermont, you probably won't be wearing sandals a whole lot.
People there could probably be of more help with suggestions about what works in a colder climate.

I have to chime in with Barefoot here. I have to wonder just why so many posts are questions to us, who've left the north for this wonderful place. As to answering your question this time.....I see NO difference in what floors we've had over the years. I don't spend A LOT of time standing in my current house anyway. When I'm home, I'm watching t.v. or sitting doing other stuff. IF I still lived in the Frozen Tundra I'd be miserable with the cold weather and dampness that comes with it...just saying!

[sunnyatlast]

I have to chime in with Barefoot here. I have to wonder just why so many posts are questions to us, who've left the north for this wonderful place. As to answering your question this time.....I see NO difference in what floors we've had over the years. I don't spend A LOT of time standing in my current house anyway. When I'm home, I'm watching t.v. or sitting doing other stuff. IF I still lived in the Frozen Tundra I'd be miserable with the cold weather and dampness that comes with it...just saying!

ICE is hard on the aging body, too! I'll take a slab house in Florida ANYTIME over 7 months of bitter cold and ice in frozen tundra.

Golf course turf and beach sand are nice and soft all year long!

[jblum315]

Why are you asking if you have no intention of living in The Villages?

[Villages PL]

It just varies depending on a person's age, health status, footwear and length of time spent standing.

But in general I would say that a wood floor is easier on your feet and joints.

Some might say they never had a problem up north but had trouble with their feet and joints after moving to The Villages. That makes sense because 1) lots of people gain weight after they retire and 2) old age happens when you retire

When I was young I worked for a while in sales and did a lot of walking on a concrete floor. My feet were always hurting regardless of how good my footwear was. Later I worked in a tool 'n' die shop and didn't have any problems with my feet because there were low-profile wood platforms in all the areas where you would do the most standing.

[Barefoot]

Up north, some people find that they have radon beneath the cement.
There has been speculation that the radon might be contributing to the leg/bone/joint pain.......or even lung cancer.
Is that ever a problem in The Villages? Any of those willing to voice an honest response?

I sometimes get the impression that you are looking for a certain response, and that you consider any other reply dishonest.

[Shimpy]

I moved to Florida in May of 1953 and have lived on oak floors and tarrazza and now on carpet over cement and have never had a problem.

[OBXNana]

I've been wondering if anyone has experienced foot, leg, knee pain while living on cement slab floors?

The northern states which predominately have wood floors in the living areas which are over the basement area, may not have cement floors throughout their homes, (except in the basements or sub basements which often become family rooms/recreation rooms/laundry rooms/office space, workshops/hobby rooms, etc.) so perhaps time exposed to the concrete might be minimal......but just wondering how those living part time as a snowbird or as a full time Florida resident might impact those with osteo arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromylagia, Lupus, etc might feel after existing on cement slabs?

Some have mentioned to me it's a seasonal thing......but when the heat is turned on in the winter time it seems to take some of the dampness off.

Others say, it doesn't matter what season.....the achy feeling from the cement floors seems to permeate their bones/joints/legs.

Up north, some people find that they have radon beneath the cement.

There has been speculation that the radon might be contributing to the leg/bone/joint pain.......or even lung cancer.

Is that ever a problem in The Villages? Any of those willing to voice an honest response? Other parts of Fl. have felt their leg pain after moving there, whether part or full time, as they have shared with me.

Other than putting radiant heat under the floors, which is kind of crazy sounding given the heat of Florida, any solutions?

Thanks in advance for any thoughts on the matter....or personal experience living or working on cement slabs floors.
****************************
HEALTH PROBLEMS CAUSED BY LIVING ON CONCRETE FLOORS
Foot Discomfort
The lack of shock absorbency in concrete flooring affects feet first, causing the soles and heels
to ache.

Feet take the brunt of the hard impact, as the muscles in the feet absorb the impact to protect the legs, back and rest of the body.

Muscles can become sore, and over time, bones may even weaken as a result, leading to susceptibility to fracture.
Lower-Leg Pain
People who live for long periods of time on concrete floors may develop lower-leg pain as the feet fail to absorb the full shock of concrete to the joints.

The muscles in the calves can become sore as they endure more impact than usual from the hard concrete, and knees may begin to ache.

Over time, the joints in the knees can become permanently damaged and arthritis may develop.

Concrete floors have long been used in industrial buildings, and recently they have become popular in residential apartments and homes, too.

But while concrete floors are in vogue, people who live on them can suffer from a number of health problems resulting from exposure to concrete and the lack of shock absorbency they provide.

These health problems range from mild to severe and can have an impact that lasts for years.

Concrete floors can even cause permanent damage to muscles and cause long-lasting pain.


We've only been in one of The Villages houses for a total of about 4 weeks and haven't noticed any difference between the slab, and hardwood, tile, or carpet on plywood.

Did you find during a preview or other time in The Villages you saw any difference between the slab in the south or other flooring up north?

[NYGUY]

We moved to Florida from the northeast 25 years ago. All of our time here has been on concrete slab covered with various flooring materials. Have never noticed any difference.

[perrjojo]

I sometimes get the impression that you are looking for a certain response, and that you consider any other reply dishonest.
I'm with you. I don't understand the concern for all of us poor, pitiful people in Florida. I do not understand the need to constantly educate us about the pitfalls of our chosen lifestyle.

[manaboutown]

At least those of us residing in warmer climates are not freezing our a$$es off much of the year whether we are on concrete or wood flooring.

[manaboutown]

Senior, if you are concerned about radon levels in your Vermont home you can obtain free radon test kits here. Free Radon Test Kit offered by the State of Vermont | Dover, Vermont (http://www.doververmont.com/dover-news/free-radon-test-kit-offered-state-vermont)