Although hard, concrete is in fact porous. Water can be wicked up by concrete and travel through it. Along the way, the water surrounds salts in the concrete and transports them to the surface. After this water reaches the surface and dries, the salts are left behind. This creates the ugly white product that often forms on concrete called efflorescence. To prevent efflorescence, you need concrete moisture remediation.
Water comes up through the concrete for various reasons that do not involve leaky pipes. The kind of soil residing below and the amount of rainfall from above might influence the level of groundwater. The presence of springs or near-surface aquifers can create water reservoirs underneath your home or business. And a nearby creek, river or lake might affect the moisture content in the ground, especially if your foundation is below the level of the high water mark.
What To Do About Efflorescence
Depending on the severity, you might need to fix the water issue before proceeding (simply sealing the concrete may not prevent issues in the walls or other areas). If the situation is localized to the concrete, some cleanup and epoxy sealing should halt moisture from accumulating. West Coast Epoxy adds a liquid barrier to our epoxy sealer that prevents peeling from water vapor. After this process is complete, the concrete foundation is indeed waterproof on top. Thus, you can safely overlay it with ceramic tile, wood, carpet, or laminates. The epoxy sealant makes certain your floor surface will not be vulnerable to moisture again.
Moisture remediation treatment benefits a concrete floor of any age and is fast enough to prevent unwanted delays for planned remodels. If you have any concerns about moisture remediation during your renovation or building project, please give West Coast Epoxy a call or schedule a free consultation online for assistance in Antelope.
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