Although solid, concrete is actually porous. Water can be wicked up by concrete and flow through it. Along the way, the water picks up salts in the concrete and carries them to the surface. Once the water reaches the surface and dries, the salts are left behind. This creates the unsightly white product that often forms on concrete called efflorescence. To prevent efflorescence, you require concrete moisture remediation.
If you notice cracks or joints in your concrete that don’t dry completely, this points to a significant cache of moisture under your slab. Some people try to cover the problem with ceramic tile or inexpensive epoxy. Without a proper 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 resolve.
What to Do About Ground Water
Depending on severity, you may need to fix the water issue ahead of proceeding (sealing the floor may not prevent challenges in the walls or other spaces). If the situation is localized to the concrete, a cleanup and epoxy sealing should halt water from accumulating. West Coast Epoxy adds a water barrier to our epoxy sealer that stops bubbling from water vapor. After this process is complete, the concrete foundation is indeed waterproof on top and you can confidently overlay it with tile, wood, carpet, or laminates.
With epoxy sealers, the age of the concrete generally does not matter as long as it is reliable. Epoxy coatings dry quickly, minimizing delays, but it cannot be applied to brand new concrete until the material is fully set. To learn more about moisture remediation for concrete foundations, connect with West Coast Epoxy for help in Richmond.
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