Concrete is solid and durable, making it a top-notch floor material for the majority of types of installations. Given its repute, it can shock you to read that concrete is still porous. Given enough time, water from underneath walkways or slabs makes its way through the concrete to its surface, where the water then evaporates. During its travels, the water transports salts taken from the concrete. These salts become a white powder when the water dries on the surface of the concrete. This unseemly material is called efflorescence.
If you see cracks or joints in your floor that don’t dry completely, this indicates a significant cache of moisture beneath your concrete. Some people try to cover up the issue with tile 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 becomes worse and more expensive to fix.
What To Do About Efflorescence
Depending on severity, you may need to repair the water problem ahead of proceeding (sealing the slab may not prevent issues in the walls or other spots). If the situation is localized to the concrete, a cleanup and epoxy sealing should prevent water from accumulating. West Coast Epoxy adds a liquid barrier to their epoxy sealer that halts bubbling from water vapor. After this treatment is complete, the concrete foundation is indeed waterproof on top and can be safely overlaid with ceramic tile, wood, carpet, or laminate.
The moisture remediation process benefits a concrete floor of any age and is fast enough to avoid unwanted delays for planned remodels. If you have any worries about moisture remediation during your remodel or building project, please give West Coast Epoxy a call or schedule a free consultation online for assistance in San Jose.
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