Vapor Barrier Under Concrete Garage Floor

Do not apply a sealer or floor paint to a garage floor that doesn t have a vapor barrier since the finish will not adhere well to the surface.

Vapor barrier under concrete garage floor.

Unfortunately contractors or owners often discover that no vapor barrier was used or that the vapor barrier has probably been torn or damaged possibly when the concrete was poured. The american concrete institute s guide for concrete floor and slab construction recommends that the thickness of the vapor retarder be at least 10 mils. Americover has a high performance 15 mil vapor barrier for installation under concrete floors and slabs that will retard moisture migration and radon from escaping through the surface of the concrete floor. Ft 24 hours in 82 days with a vapor barrier compared to 144 days when exposed to vapor from below.

If you have a concrete floor that s in continuous contact with a source of moisture you re going to have problems. Is a vapor retarder barrier necessary for under the concrete slab of a garage or basement. A vapor barrier is not the same as an underlayment. Puncture studies of 6 8 10 and 20 mil vapor retarder materials have shown that 10 mils is the minimum thickness that should be considered and thicker material may be necessary over.

This is why a vapor barrier under concrete is essential. The american concrete institute s guide for concrete floor and slab construction recommends that the thickness of the vapor retarder be at least 10 mils. Lay vapor barrier. Many moisture problems associated with interior concrete floors and slabs on grade can be minimized or eliminated by installing a vapor barrier under the concrete.

Aci 302 2r 06 guide for concrete floors that receive moisture sensitive flooring materials estimates that concrete with a w c of 0 5 will dry to an mver of 3 pounds 1000 sq. It helps reduce mold and condensation in buildings. This vapor barrier is nothing more than a heavy plastic sheet. We find ourselves having to explain that the vapor retarder wasn t required or necessary for a concrete garage floor poured at or above grade.

Vapor barriers are a way to keep moisture from getting into the concrete. Puncture studies of 6 8 10 and 20 mil vapor retarder materials have shown that 10 mils is the minimum thickness that should be considered and thicker material may be necessary over. The pre construction solution is to use a vapor barrier under the concrete. A vapor barrier should be used for all concrete floors and slabs that are going to receive an impermeable floor finish like epoxy laminate linoleum and wood or if the concrete.

15 mil vapor barrier by americover. There is little you can do to correct this problem other than removing the existing slab and pouring a new one with a vapor barrier under it or put a vapor barrier on top of the existing slab and. The 2012 international residential code states. Concrete garage floors vapor transmission.