Concrete is solid and long-lasting, making it a great floor material for the most kinds of buildings. Given its reputation, it might surprise you to learn that concrete is still porous. With sufficient time, water from under slabs or walkways makes its way through the concrete to its surface, and the water then evaporates. During its travels, the water picks up salts taken from the concrete which become a white powder when the water dries on the surface of the concrete. This ugly substance is called efflorescence.
If you notice joints or cracks in your concrete that don’t completely dry, this indicates a significant cache of moisture under your slab. Some people attempt to cover up the issue with ceramic tile or inexpensive epoxy. Without a high-quality sealant, however, the water finds a way through, resulting in loose tiles or coatings that bubble and peel away. Then the problem becomes worse and more costly to fix.
What to Do About Groundwater
Depending on severity, you might need to repair the water issue ahead of proceeding (sealing the slab may not prevent issues in the walls or other areas). If the situation is localized to the concrete, some cleanup and epoxy sealing should stop moisture from accumulating. At West Coast Epoxy, we add 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 so that you can confidently overlay it with ceramic tile, wood, carpet, or laminates.
The water remediation procedure benefits a concrete floor of any age and is fast enough to avoid significant delays for planned remodels. If you have any questions about moisture remediation during your renovation or building project in Vacaville, please give us a call or schedule a free consultation online.