Although tough, concrete is still porous. Water can be wicked up by concrete and flow through it. Along the way, the water dissolves salts in the concrete and transports them to the surface. After this water reaches the surface and dries, the salts are left behind. This creates the ugly white material that often forms on concrete called efflorescence. To stop efflorescence, you require concrete moisture remediation.
Water comes up through the concrete for a number of reasons that do not involve leaky pipes. The kind of soil and amount of rainfall might influence the height of ground water. The presence of springs or near-surface aquifers may create water reservoirs underneath your business or home. A nearby lake, river or creek might influence 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 may need to resolve the water issue before proceeding (sealing the concrete may not prevent issues in the walls or other spaces). If the situation is localized to the concrete, a cleanup and epoxy sealing should stop moisture from accumulating. Nevada Custom Coatings adds a liquid barrier to our epoxy sealer that halts peeling from water vapor. After this treatment is complete, the concrete foundation is waterproof on top so you can safely overlay it with tile, wood, carpet, or laminates. The epoxy sealant makes certain your floor surface will not be vulnerable to moisture again.
With epoxy sealants, the age of the concrete usually does not matter, if it is stable. Epoxy coatings dry rapidly, limiting delays, but it cannot be applied to green concrete until the material is fully set. To discover more about moisture remediation for concrete floors, talk with Nevada Custom Coatings for help in Cold Springs.