Concrete is hard and enduring, making it a wonderful foundation material for many types of buildings. Given its repute, it can stun you to learn that concrete is in fact porous. Given sufficient time, water from underneath slabs or walkways makes its way through the concrete to the surface, where the water then evaporates. During its travels, the water picks up salts dissolved from the concrete. These salts become a white powder when the water evaporates on the surface of the concrete. This unseemly product is named efflorescence.
Water comes up through the floor for multiple reasons that do not involve leaky pipes. The manner of soil and amount of rainfall may influence the height of groundwater. The presence of springs or near-surface aquifers may create water reservoirs beneath your business or home. And a nearby lake, river or stream could influence the water content in the soil, especially if your foundation is below the level of the high water mark.
What to Do About Ground Water
Depending on the level of severity, you may need to resolve the water problem ahead of proceeding (sealing the slab may not prevent problems in the walls or other locations). If the situation is localized to the concrete, a cleanup and epoxy sealing should prevent moisture from accumulating. West Coast Epoxy adds a water barrier to our epoxy sealer that stops delamination from water vapor. After the procedure is complete, the concrete floor is indeed waterproof on top. Therefore, you can safely overlay it with ceramic tile, wood, carpet, or laminates. The epoxy sealant makes certain your floor surface will not be vulnerable to moisture again.
The moisture remediation process 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 renovation or building project, please give West Coast Epoxy a call or schedule a free consultation online for help in San Ramon.
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