Concrete is tough and enduring, making it a good floor material for many kinds of structures. Given its repute, it might shock you to read that concrete is in reality porous. Given enough time, water from underneath walkways or slabs makes its way through the concrete to the surface, and the water then evaporates. During its travel, the water carries salts taken from the concrete. These salts become a white powder when the water dries on the surface of the concrete. This unwanted material is called efflorescence.
Water comes up through the floor for various reasons that do not involve leaking pipes. The type of soil and amount of rainfall may influence the amount of ground water. The presence of springs or near surface aquifers can create water reservoirs under your property. And a nearby lake, river, or creek 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 Groundwater
Depending on severity, you might need to fix the water issue ahead of proceeding (sealing the concrete may not prevent problems in the walls or other spots). If the situation is localized to the concrete, a cleanup and epoxy sealing should halt water from accumulating. West Coast Epoxy adds a moisture barrier to our epoxy sealer that stops delamination from water vapor. After the treatment is complete, the concrete floor is indeed waterproof on top. So, you can safely overlay it with ceramic tiles, wood, carpet, or laminates. The epoxy sealant ensures the surface of your floor won’t be vulnerable to moisture again.
The water remediation procedure benefits a concrete floor of any age and dries fast enough to avoid unwanted delays for planned remodels. If you have any concerns about moisture remediation during your remodel or building project in Livermore, please give West Coast Epoxy a call or schedule a free consultation online.
Request a Free Quote