Concrete is solid and long-lasting, making it a good foundation material for most kinds of structures. Given its reputation, it might shock you to hear that concrete is in reality porous. Given sufficient time, water from underneath walkways or slabs makes its way through the concrete to its surface, and the water then evaporates. During its travels, the water carries salts dissolved from the concrete. These salts become a white powder when the water evaporates on the surface of the concrete. This unsightly effect is named efflorescence.
If you see joints or cracks in your floor that do not completely dry, this points to a significant cache of moisture beneath your concrete. Many people attempt to cover the problem with ceramic tile or do-it-yourself 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 becomes worse and more expensive to repair.
What to Do About Ground Water
Some water problems are serious enough that in addition to sealing the surface, you simultaneously need to take other measures outside the structure. But when the problem is just in the concrete, our epoxy sealing treatment is enough to waterproof the foundation. Then you can safely install tile, carpet, laminates or wood floors.
For epoxy sealers, the age of the concrete typically does not matter if it is reliable. Epoxy coatings dry quickly, limiting delays, but it cannot be applied to green concrete until the material is fully set. To find out more about water remediation for concrete foundations, call West Coast Epoxy for help in Walnut Creek.
Request a Free Quote