Although hard, concrete is in fact porous. Water can be wicked up by concrete and move through it. Along the way, the water surrounds salts in the concrete and moves them to the surface. When the water reaches the surface and dries, the salts are left behind. This creates the ugly white product that often forms on concrete called efflorescence. To prevent efflorescence, you need concrete moisture remediation.
Water comes up through the concrete for a number of reasons that do not involve leaking pipes. The kind of soil and amount of rainfall might influence the amount of ground water. The presence of springs or near-surface aquifers may create water reservoirs underneath your property. And a nearby stream, river, or lake could affect 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 might need to repair the water issue before proceeding (sealing the foundation may not prevent issues in the walls or other spaces). 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 our epoxy sealer that halts peeling from water vapor. After the process is complete, the concrete floor is waterproof on top and you can confidently 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 procedure benefits a concrete floor of any age and is fast enough to prevent unwanted delays for planned remodels. If you have any worries about moisture remediation during your building or remodel project in Santa Rosa, please give West Coast Epoxy a call or schedule a free consultation online.
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