Many homeowners who have concrete floors have wished there was a solution to the problem of excessive moisture. Even though perspiration is a nuisance and a potential source of stains and damage, it is probably not serious. The major reason to seal concrete is to protect it from stains and chemicals. Thus there's no need to do so if your marble doesn't sweat. Any addition of oil liquid waxes to a non-sweaty surface during the sealing process may cause it to sweat in the future. Unless your HOA requires all properties to have sealed passageways or you have concerns about chemical sensitivity, there is little reason to seal.
FAQs About Internal Waterproofing
Moisture Still Present Concrete is porous by nature. Therefore, even though the moisture near the concrete surface evaporates as it cures, moisture from below the concrete or within the concrete will tend to osmotically migrate up through the concrete capillaries to escape through the path of least resistance.
Rainwater, melting snow or groundwater can saturate the soil around your foundation and leak in. Water can leak through cracks or penetrate porous concrete or masonry walls in the form of water vapour. Moisture behind the foil means moisture is leaking through the walls.
The water will still seep through the concrete, and while the plastic will stop it, the moisture will end up getting trapped. Concrete is a porous material, so it will naturally absorb water. You can prevent this by sealing it. It's also possible that there are cracks along with the basement or garage floor.
To seal concrete floors:
- Use an epoxy sealer if you want something durable that comes in various colours.
- For indoor concrete floors that won't be exposed to oil or grease, use an acrylic sealer, easy to apply.
- Try a polyurethane sealer if you want to seal over concrete floors that already have a seal.
Why Floors Sweat For most floors, condensation is the main reason for sweating, especially in warm weather. When warm, humid air from outside comes into contact with the cold concrete, the air rapidly cools and condenses on the surface, causing wetness.
How To Prevent Concrete Floors From Sweating
The perspiration issue persists whether the floor is made of concrete or a subfloor. Some measures can be taken to eliminate, or at least significantly reduce, sweating during concrete construction. Nevertheless, fans, temperature regulation, dehumidification, or seals can be used to manage moisture in the concrete.
Why Do Certain Concrete Floors Become Wet?
Sweating slab syndrome can affect anything from hot and humid weather. Dampness causes concrete floors to perspire.
Sweating materials like concrete slabs become wet and slippery whenever the wet bulb temperature is reached. Because of the openings, the building is flooded with warm, moist air and the dew point. Condensation forms when air at or below the vapour pressure diffuses onto a surface.
One additional factor that may contribute to Sweating Slab Syndrome is the presence of brines upon that slab's surface. Because of salt's hygroscopic qualities, it attracts moisture from the air and binds it to the concrete's surface. Sometimes the salt may pull moisture out of the concrete.
Methods for Reducing Condensation on Concrete Floors:
Dry out your shop and goods with some fresh air.
Your concrete slab or floor may be drenched when you wake up. The second advice is to keep the oxygen and the wooden slab at nearly the same temperature. One possibility is to switch from using the air conditioner to use the heater. Costs can be reduced, and moisture problems on a cement floor can be avoided by installing an HVLS fan.
Cleaning and maintaining concrete factory floors regularly will keep them dry.
Never allow moisture or debris to sit on or near the face or their slabs. One effective strategy for achieving this goal is to use industrial cleaning chemicals to scrub the flooring and vacuum the machinery. This protects the company's assets and the employees. If you can, seal the concrete with a penetrating sealant to prevent moisture seepage. The best method is first to apply a primer containing a concrete densifier, followed by a stain repellant that penetrates deeply into the surface. Condensation can be reduced if you follow these steps.
Inspect Building Ventilation Again
The slab in question likely has poor ventilation. If the airflow is poor, finding a technique to counteract it and decrease relative humidity is essential. For example, invest inside an HVLS fan which does more than de-stratify the air to keep your employees cool and comfortable.
Use high-velocity, low-speed (HVLS) ceiling fans to reduce the temperature gradient between the ceiling and the floor.
High-volume, low-speed (HVLS) fans accelerate moisture evaporation from the ground, lowering the relative humidity. As a result, the risk of mould and fungal growth on the flooring can be reduced by using these fans, a low-cost solution for maintaining a healthy temperature inside your building. The result is a sense of calm and safety.
Use Industrial Dehumidifiers
Although these systems are proven to reduce or eliminate SSS caused by wetness on a concrete surface, they are costly to operate but will increase our monthly energy expenses.
Use low-slab, low-permeability retarders to keep the moisture out.
This is especially helpful if your belongings are stored on the floor. They keep stored objects dry by preventing condensation from forming on the floor.
Interestingly, Sweating Slab Syndrome also can occur if there is moisture or condensation in the air due to temperature variations, even if the floors are not made of concrete but of carpet, linoleum, vinyl, or wood. If there is moisture under the flooring, it could cause the glue to fail, that is, keeping the flooring in place beyond a concrete substrate.
Identifying the Presence of Moisture on a Concrete Floor
Costly repairs and production shutdowns due to sent moisture vapour can have a significant financial impact on a company. So even though your concrete floor seems good on the surface, there are a few things you should inspect.
- Is the concrete moist or discoloured in any way? The problem could be the result of moisture in the slab.
- Are there any puzzling cracks or holes in the cement?
- Does your concrete floor have a white film? If this is the case, moisture vapour has likely condensed into your concrete floor, leaving behind deposits of alkali/salt.
- Do you smell mould or mildew or see any visible traces where you are right now?
- Can you make out any shadows at the bottom of the walls, floors, appliances, or supplies?
- How humid is the air within your structure?
Remember that the sooner a moisture issue in the building is found, the sooner it may be fixed.
Moisture Affects More Than Concrete—Even Metals Sweat
It's fascinating to learn that most building metals sweat, too. These metals also cause sweating and production problems for an aluminium factory in the hot South. In particular, they had a lot of black iron, which was susceptible to rusting from sweat. Corrosion of his black metal caused them significant financial loss. The metal's efforts to regulate the temperature have also contributed to the rise in moisture content.
As temperatures rise and fall with the seasons, you can find yourself in both hot and cold conditions. However, the humidity is usually quite excessive around such times. The relative humidity of the concrete floors and metal surfaces can be reduced by increasing the circulation of air thanks to thermal equalisation.
Beequalisation potential for significant harm and sweating slabs must be addressed.
How to Prevent Concrete Flooring Slipping from Excess Moisture
Concrete floors are ubiquitous in business and industrial environments. Therefore, it's likely that most individuals have experienced walking barefoot on one. Unfortunately, the concrete floors in the hallways are dangerously damp, posing a major risk to the workers there. Increasing the temperature in the house won't help because the problem is likely related to the weather outside.
Supersonic speeds low suction fans may effectively reduce mould growth on a basic concrete floor slab, protecting your machines, merchandise, and building while also addressing the safety of your employees at a reasonable cost.
The Different Types Of Sealers
Concrete floors can be sealed with a topical sealer, a penetrating sealer, or an integrated sealer. We felt it would be helpful to outline the various roles sealants play, so here you go:
- Topical sealants, applied to that same floor's surface, can form a protective covering useful for indoor and outdoor concrete floors.
- These sealers penetrate deep into the flooring to provide a chemical barrier that prevents moisture damage and extends the life of your floors.
- Integral sealers are added to the mortar before it leaves the plant, allowing concrete floors to be sealed while they are poured. The integral sealer has benefits similar to those of a topical sealant.
- The sealing process starts instantly, which is a benefit.
Why Should You Seal Your Concrete Floors?
We thought it would be beneficial to outline some of the benefits you'll receive if you seal our slabs, so we'll do that to start.
Sealing concrete helps prevent mould growth.
No one wants to walk on a floor that is covered in mould. Yet, mould can flourish if moisture is allowed to sneak in via poorly sealed brick walls. Nevertheless, if you take the time to seal your concrete floors properly, moisture won't be able to penetrate and mould, and bacteria won't be able to grow, so your floors will retain their pristine appearance for much longer.
The Durability of Sealed Flooring
If the floors are sealed, they will endure much longer. When a concrete floor is sealed, it is protected from the elements, decreasing the possibility of cracking, scaling, and other problems common to concrete. In addition, waterproofing your concrete pavers will prevent wear and tear from repeated use. Sealing your concrete floors is a smart option if you care about maintaining their good looks over time.
Sealing your floors prolongs their life.
Sealing your concrete flooring will make them last longer than it would otherwise. If you take the time to seal your concrete floors properly, you may get an additional 25–30 years out of them.
A Floor Sealant Will Help Keep Your Floors Safe.
A good sealant can protect concrete flooring from oil spills, UV damage, and temperature and humidity changes. If you want your flooring to last a long time, you should seal them.
Maintain the Natural Colour of the Floor
Colouring concrete floors is a growing interior design trend. Concrete floors may last a long time, but they are easily discoloured by dirt, water, and other elements. Sealing your concrete pavers is recommended to keep them neat and polished for longer.
The Proper Way to Clean Your Concrete Floor Before Sealing It
Preparation for sealing concrete floors can take as much time as sealing itself. Therefore, it is impossible to overestimate the need for thorough and cautious preparation if you want to seal your flooring successfully. Before you seal your concrete floor, you must complete the following.
- Get rid of everything that might get sealed off in the region.
- Pry the floorboards from the wall surfaces with a putty knife.
- Gather the litter that has escaped your attention and place itself on the floor.
- Throw open the windows and let the breeze in.
- When cleaning the floor, don't forget to utilise a degreaser.
- Used a wire brush utilises the oily areas of the concrete, to remove it.
- Water on the concrete floor can be removed with a mop.
- Have the flooring dry before moving on.
- When patching gaps in concrete, use a concrete filler that dries quickly.
Methods for Concrete Floor Sealing
Sealer for a concrete floor is spread on in an appropriate layer by pouring just that little amount upon a painting bowl and brushing it across the floor. The next step is to use a paintbrush to caulk your room's edges. Finally, if you don't want to get stuck, make your way from the far conclusion of the space to the door.
You can't touch the sealant for at least 12 hours after its application. Using fans and dehumidifiers helps speed up the drying process of wet floors when time is of the essence. Nail the moulding and mouldings back into the concrete floor to complete the process. The concrete floor can now be admired after being sealed.
When Should You Seal Your Concrete Floors?
The time spent sealing any tile slab will be well worth it for various reasons. If they want their tile floors to last as much as possible without pitting, cracking, or any other issues, we recommend sealing them every two to five years. Concrete Flooring Solutions is here for all your issues and enquiries about concrete flooring.
