Although solid, concrete is in fact porous. Water can be wicked up by concrete and travel through it. Along the way, the water absorbs salts in the concrete and moves them to the surface. When the water reaches the surface and dries, the salts are left behind. This designs the unwanted white product that often forms on concrete called efflorescence. To stop efflorescence, you require concrete moisture remediation.
If you notice joints or cracks in your floor that are not completely dry, this indicates a significant cache of moisture beneath your slab. Many people try to cover up the problem with tiles or cheap epoxy. Without a proper 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 Efflorescence
Depending on severity, you might need to repair the water challenge before proceeding (sealing the slab may not prevent problems in the walls or other areas). If the situation is localized to the concrete, a cleanup and epoxy sealing should stop water from accumulating. Nevada Custom Coatings adds a water barrier to our epoxy sealer that stops peeling from water vapor. After the procedure is complete, the concrete foundation is indeed waterproof on top. Therefore, you can confidently overlay it with ceramic tiles, wood, carpet, or laminates. The epoxy sealant makes certain your floor surface won’t be vulnerable to moisture again.
With epoxy sealers, the age of the concrete usually does not matter if it is stable. Epoxy coatings dry rapidly, minimizing delays, but it cannot be applied to brand new concrete until the material is fully set. To learn more about moisture remediation for concrete foundations in North Lake Tahoe, call Nevada Custom Coatings!
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