Concrete is solid and enduring, making it a great foundation material for many kinds of structures. Given its repute, it might surprise you to learn that concrete is in reality porous. Given enough time, water from under walkways or slabs makes its way through the concrete to the surface, where the water then evaporates. During its travels, the water carries salts dissolved from the concrete. These salts become a white powder when the water dries on the surface of the concrete. This unsightly substance is named efflorescence.
Water comes up through the concrete for many reasons that do not involve leaking pipes. The manner of soil and amount of rainfall may influence the height of groundwater. The presence of springs or near-surface aquifers may create water reservoirs underneath your property. And a nearby creek, river or lake could influence the moisture content in the soil, especially if your foundation is below the level of the high water mark.
What To Do About Efflorescence
Depending on the severity, you may need to fix the water issue before proceeding (sealing the foundation may not prevent problems in the walls or other spots). If the situation is localized to the concrete, some cleanup and epoxy sealing should stop water from accumulating. West Coast Epoxy adds a water barrier to our epoxy sealer that halts peeling from water vapor. After the procedure is complete, the concrete floor is indeed waterproof on top. So, you can safely overlay it with tiles, wood, carpet, or laminates. The epoxy sealant makes certain your floor surface will not be vulnerable to moisture again.
With epoxy sealants, the age of the concrete usually does not matter, if it is reliable. Epoxy coatings dry rapidly, limiting delays, but it cannot be applied to brand new concrete until the material is fully set. To learn more about moisture remediation for concrete foundations, talk to West Coast Epoxy for assistance in Diablo.
Request a Free Quote