Concrete is solid and enduring, making it a top-notch floor material for many kinds of structures. Given its reputation, it might shock you to learn that concrete is still porous. Given enough time, water from under slabs or walkways 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 evaporates on the surface of the concrete. This unwanted product is named efflorescence.
If you notice cracks or joints in your concrete that do not dry completely, this points to a significant cache of moisture beneath your slab. Some people attempt to hide the issue with tiles or low-quality epoxy. Without a high-quality sealant, however, the water finds its way through, resulting in loose tiles or coatings that bubble and peel away. Then the problem is worse and more expensive to fix.
What to Do About Groundwater
Depending on the severity, you may need to fix the water problem ahead of proceeding (sealing the floor 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 moisture from accumulating. West Coast Epoxy adds a liquid barrier to our epoxy sealer that prevents delamination from water vapor. After the process is complete, the concrete foundation is indeed waterproof on top. So, you can confidently overlay it with ceramic tile, wood, carpet, or laminates. The epoxy sealant makes sure your floor surface won’t be vulnerable to moisture again.
The moisture remediation procedure benefits a concrete floor of any age and is fast enough to avoid costly delays for planned remodels. If you have any concerns about moisture remediation during your building or renovation project, please give West Coast Epoxy a call or schedule a free consultation online for assistance in Oakley.
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