Although hard, concrete is in truth porous. Water can be wicked up by concrete and flow through it. Along the way, the water dissolves salts in the concrete and carries them to the surface. Once this water reaches the surface and dries, the salts are left behind. This creates the unwanted white product that often forms on concrete called efflorescence. To stop efflorescence, you need concrete moisture remediation.
Water comes up through the floor for a number of reasons that do not involve leaking pipes. The form of soil and amount of rainfall might influence the level of ground water. The presence of springs or near-surface aquifers may create water reservoirs beneath your location. A nearby lake, river, or creek could also affect the water content in the soil, especially if your foundation is below the level of the high water mark.
What to Do About Ground Water
Depending on severity, you may need to repair the water problem before proceeding (sealing the floor may not prevent issues in the walls or other spots). If the situation is localized to the concrete, some cleanup and epoxy sealing should prevent water from accumulating. West Coast Epoxy adds a liquid barrier to our epoxy sealer that prevents bubbling from water vapor. After this process is complete, the concrete foundation is waterproof on top so that you can confidently overlay it with tile, wood, carpet, or laminates. The epoxy sealant ensures your floor surface will not be vulnerable to moisture again.
The moisture remediation treatment benefits a concrete floor of any age and is fast enough to avoid significant delays for planned renovations. If you have any questions about moisture remediation during your renovation or building project in Dixon, please give West Coast Epoxy a call or schedule a free consultation online.