When preparing concrete floors for fresh coatings, overlays, or finished flooring, there’s one unseen issue that can completely derail the entire project—excessive moisture. Often overlooked until visual problems arise, concrete moisture problems wreak havoc and lead to costly failures if not addressed properly upfront.
At Custom Concrete Prep & Polish, we’ve witnessed firsthand the damage unmitigated moisture can inflict, from delaminating coatings and loose tiles to efflorescence, mold, and mildew growth. That’s why professional moisture mitigation is always our top priority before any floor installation begins.
The Threat of Excess Concrete Moisture
Concrete is a porous material that continuously goes through cycles of absorbing and releasing moisture vapor from the surrounding environment and sublayers. When excessive moisture vapor transmission occurs, it can rapidly travel through conductive floor coverings and deteriorate adhesives, crack sealants, and coatings from beneath.
Some of the most common moisture-related floor failures include:
• Peeling, bubbling, or separating flooring materials
• Cupping of wood flooring planks
• Efflorescence (salt deposits) on bare slabs
• Discolored staining or dull finishes on polished concrete
• Musty odors and mold/mildew growth
• Loss of adhesion for glue-down floors and sealants
New concrete holds an abundance of residual moisture that needs ample time to dry and cure properly. But moisture issues aren’t limited to new pours—older concrete in damp environments or over poorly ventilated areas can also grow problematic over time.
The Importance of Moisture Testing
That’s why ASTM-approved moisture testing is a crucial first step in any concrete flooring project, both new and old slabs. Until proper testing confirms safe moisture levels, installing any floor system risks premature failure.
Custom Concrete Prep utilizes proven testing methods like calcium chloride dome tests and in-situ relative humidity probes to accurately measure moisture vapor emission rates (MVER) and internal relative humidity (RH) levels throughout each project.
After thorough testing pinpoints any areas of moisture concern, we can properly prescribe the necessary mitigation solutions. These may include moisture barriers, vapor retarding coatings/sealers, or integrating a breathable cap into the concrete prior to floor installation.
Why Hire Professionals for Moisture Mitigation in Concrete Floor Installation
While some contractors treat moisture testing and mitigation as an afterthought, Custom Concrete Prep & Polish is laser-focused on doing it right from the start. That’s because properly managing moisture in concrete is absolutely critical for long-term success:
• Extends the longevity and performance of any flooring system installed
• Prevents costly moisture-related repairs, callbacks, and reinstallations
• Ensures floor coatings and coverings cure properly without delamination
• Reduces odors, mold/mildew risk, and other indoor air quality issues
• Maintains structural slab integrity by controlling excessive vapor drive
By trusting your project to our team’s expertise in ASTM moisture testing and mitigation, you’ll have complete confidence that your concrete floors are prepped for peak performance and lasting durability every time.
Moisture is concrete’s kryptonite, often hiding unseen until visual failures occur. But at Custom Concrete Prep & Polish, proactive moisture mitigation in concrete floor installation is always a top priority—safeguarding your floors, investment, and peace of mind.
Contact Custom Concrete Prep & Polish at (303) 222-2147 today.
