Although tough, concrete is still porous. Water can be wicked up by concrete and travel through it. Along the way, the water picks up salts in the concrete and moves them to the surface. When the water reaches the surface and evaporates, the salts are left behind. This creates the unwanted white substance that often forms on concrete called efflorescence. To stop efflorescence, you need concrete moisture remediation.
Water comes up through the concrete for multiple reasons that do not involve leaking pipes. The manner of soil and amount of rainfall might influence the amount of ground water. The presence of springs or near-surface aquifers can create water reservoirs under your home or business. A nearby lake, river, or creek might also influence the water content in the ground, 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 fix the water issue ahead of proceeding (sealing the concrete may not prevent issues in the walls or other locations). If the situation is localized to the concrete, a cleanup and epoxy sealing should prevent water from accumulating. West Coast Epoxy adds a water barrier to our epoxy sealer that stops delamination from water vapor. After this treatment is complete, the concrete foundation is indeed waterproof on top and can be confidently overlaid with tiles, wood, carpet, or laminates
For epoxy sealers, the age of the concrete generally does not matter as long as it is reliable. Epoxy coatings dry rapidly, reducing delays, but it cannot be applied to green concrete until the material is fully set. To find out more about water remediation for concrete foundations, call West Coast Epoxy for help in Oakland.
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