Concrete is tough and durable, making it a terrific foundation material for most kinds of structures. Given its reputation, it might surprise you to know that concrete is in fact porous. Given enough time, water from under walkways or slabs makes its way through the concrete to its surface, where the water then evaporates. During its travel, the water transports salts taken from the concrete. These salts become a white powder when the water evaporates on the surface of the concrete. This ugly material is named efflorescence.
If you see joints or cracks in your floor that do not dry completely, this indicates a significant cache of moisture underneath your concrete. Many people try to hide the problem with ceramic tile or do-it-yourself epoxy. Without a high-quality sealant, however, the water finds a way through, resulting in loose tiles or coatings that bubble and peel away. Then the problem is worse and more expensive to repair.
What to Do About Groundwater
Depending on severity, you might need to repair the water problem ahead of proceeding (sealing the foundation may not prevent problems in the walls or other parts). If the situation is localized to the concrete, a cleanup and epoxy sealing should keep moisture from accumulating. West Coast Epoxy adds a water barrier to our epoxy sealer that prevents bubbling from water vapor. After the treatment is complete, the concrete floor is indeed waterproof on top. So, you can confidently overlay it with ceramic tiles, wood, carpet, or laminates. The epoxy sealant ensures your floor surface won’t be vulnerable to moisture again.
The water remediation treatment benefits a concrete floor of any age, and is fast enough to prevent unwanted delays for planned remodels. If you have any questions about moisture remediation during your renovation or building project, please give West Coast Epoxy a call or schedule a free consultation online for help in Elk Grove.
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