How To Fix Concrete Floors With Moisture Vapor Problems?

How To Fix Concrete Floors With Moisture Vapor Problems | Duraamen Engineered Products Inc

Basements and floors on grade are particularly vulnerable to moisture vapor caused by pressure that pushes upwards through small air holes in concrete. Concrete is porous with tiny air holes caused during initial pouring and curing.

 

How To Fix Floors With Moisture Problems How To Fix Concrete Floors With Moisture Vapor Problems | Duraamen Engineered Products Inc

What Causes Moisture In Floors

Basements and floors on grade are particularly vulnerable to moisture vapor caused by pressure that pushes upwards through small air holes in concrete. Concrete is porous with tiny air holes caused during initial pouring and curing. During the cure time of concrete, moisture moves upwards and evaporates leaving a trail of air holes behind that are effectively like small straws. When ground water can’t move, moisture vapor pushes upwards. This causes tile to lift off the floor, hardwood to rot, carpet gets damp and moldy, coatings to delaminate.

How To Fix Floors With Moisture Problems

In the photos featured here, Madstone Floors of Rhode Island, used a combination of our products to solve a problem. This was a waterfront home with hardwood floors that rotted because there never was a moisture vapor barrier installed. Coastal properties or those near rivers, lakes and ponds frequently have wet floors like this one.

The Process

  1. Remove Rotted Wood – After removal we could see the moisture trapped between the wood and concrete floor.
  2. Grinding The Surface – Madstone used a dustless grinding system to mechanically remove the top cementitious layer and removed potential bond breakers.
  3. Perdure MVT – This is a two coat epoxy system that resists high levels of moisture pressure. Sand was broadcast into the floor creating a rough finish. When dry all excess sand was removed revealing a coarse surface.
  4. Param 5500 Self Leveling Concrete – The self leveler was applied 1/2 inch thick. This is a great product serving a few functions. It adheres like iron to the MVT layer previously applied. It cures to a smooth flat surface at a custom height. This allows for accurate adjustments whether you want a decorative wear surface or are installing hardwood, tile or carpet. In this case, Madstone Floors used a gray pigment matched to a specific Benjamin Moore Color chip.
  5. Sealing The Surface – You can avoid this step if planning on installing hardwood, tile or carpet. Madstone used our Perdure E32 water based epoxy sealer. It protects the floor while enhancing the decorative appearance of the pigmented surface. This sealer is ideal for freshly poured flooring.
  6. Protective Final Coat – Madstone finished the floor with Perdure U50, an abrasion and chemical resistant polyurethane. This protective coating is ideal for any floor from high end residential to warehouses.

If you have floors with moisture problems that you need to fix, this is a very effective solution. We have contractors like Madstone Floors nationwide who can help solve your floor moisture problems. You can contact us directly by phone or fill out the form on our contractors page and we’ll contact you.

How To Fix Floors With Moisture Problems How To Fix Concrete Floors With Moisture Vapor Problems | Duraamen Engineered Products Inc

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