Learn why you should test concrete for moisture before applying paint or epoxy to your garage floor. We'll show you how to do it with these simple tests. In most cases of efflorescence, the decorative flooring contractor inherited the problems that contributed to creating the efflorescence. Diagnosing the causes of efflorescence after sealing the floor can be difficult.
It is important to determine the amount of moisture in the slab, the source of the moisture, and also if conditions, such as seasonal groundwater, could provide more moisture in the future. Consider performing steam tests and resisting the quick fix. Finally, contractors can choose to avoid warranty language when it comes to sealants, or they can choose to specifically define typical vapor transmission problems. The decorative adage of test, test and test is especially valid for interior tinted floors.
It means performing a VTR test every time you suspect that there may be efflorescence problems. Happy coloring and remember: you don't have to accept all the works that come your way. As a national floor covering company with more than 23 years of experience, we have seen many contractors and DIYers apply coatings without even testing the moisture content before application. These systems are superior to first-generation single-part epoxy or urethane coatings, as those coatings resulted in coatings that were less durable and more prone to abrasion, cracking, delamination or staining.
In coating systems with “standard color” paint chips, the paint chips are spread over the color layer in a medium, extra heavy coat of paint or with all the chipping. When you left your garage floor open for 48 hours, you let warm, humid air in and settle on the concrete. In residential flooring applications, the high humidity present in concrete is one of the most common problems associated with the peeling of floor coverings. Sweating occurs when relatively warm, humid air contacts a relatively cooler surface (the garage floor slab) with a temperature lower than the dew point.
New two-part coating systems avoid many of the problems associated with first-generation single-part epoxy and urethane coatings. However, we have been in the business of installing floor coverings in the United States for more than 23 years. It's easy and fairly quick to do and can save you the disappointment and heartache of a faulty floor covering. I have a double garage that has a concrete floor that shows signs not only of efflorescence but, in general, of humidity.
If you have an area of the concrete floor or garage that always seems damp, this is also a sign of moisture problems. About six months ago, the builder removed the sealant and waxed the floor to allow it to breathe and for the salts to rise up the floor. However, a professional installer should only determine the type and combination of coating products used after evaluating the space to be coated. Decorative flooring contractors would do well to explore this technology for even smaller residential tinted floors.
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