How To Get Moisture Out Of Concrete: Step By Step Instructions To Get Moisture Out Of Concrete

Concrete is a kind of surface that has a porous nature, which in turn means that water from underneath your home can flow or leak slowly through your concrete floor, making it damp. This can be the reason for some of the issues including mold and mildew, generally if there is a carpet or furniture on top of the concrete. Basements as well as garages, the distinctive rooms having concrete floors, also can be affected by or subjected to poor air circulation, causing or allowing the moisture nowhere to go as soon as it seeps through the floor.

Step By Step Instructions Of Getting Moisture Out Of Concrete

Sealing the concrete can be very helpful in getting rid of the moisture on your floor. Over the passage of time, with persistent exposure to moisture, a small crack in a concrete wall can change into a big problem, which in turn allows the insects and the elements into your house. Sealing your home’s concrete surfaces is considered one of the best types of precautionary maintenance. Therefore, if you want to maintain your home's air quality as well as foundational integrity, then the key factor is to take the best possible care to your home's concrete surface.

Step 1: Check For Dampness

First of all, you have to check the dampness of the concrete floor before sealing your floor. Secure a small square of clear plastic to the floor with the help of painter's tape. After 24 hours, look into the plastic in order to find out whether the water has condensed underneath it or not. If yes, then it indicates that your floor is too damp, thus cannot be sealed, as the majority of the sealants must be applied to a dry floor. Clean as well as dry your floor before sealing it.

Step 2: Clean The Floor

Now, clean the floor exceptionally well in order to get rid of dirt and any built-up mildew. Vacuum or sweep it rigorously, before scrubbing it using a mop. Make a solution of one part bleach with four parts warm water & clean the floor using this solution. The bleach has the added advantages which will help get rid of mold and mildew that might have gathered on the floor. Make sure to be very careful while cleaning the corners, where insects, as well as mold, tend to live. For deeper cleaning, use a rotary floor scrubber having an abrasive pad made especially for concrete and use it to spread trisodium phosphate to the floor. Rinse the floor rigorously, before using a wet-dry vacuum in order to remove the water.

Step 3: Dry The Floor

Now, it is time to make your floor as dry as possible before you start sealing it. The best option is to wait for days when it is not rainy as well as the humidity is not too high, which in turn will help the floor dry faster. A dehumidifier can help remove the water, or you can use a floor fan that will help circulate the air and speed the evaporation of the moisture. Keep drying the floor as long as your moisture test with the plastic square stays dry through the whole night.

Step 4: Seal The Floor

The majority of the sealers are clear, making their application challenging, as even coverage is important to prevent future moisture in your concrete floor. The best option is to paint small areas at a time to make sure complete coverage with a thin & very fine layer of sealer, too much sealer can cause bubbles as it dries. Use a sealer that is specifically made for concrete moisture protection, like an epoxy concrete sealer, which usually comes in two parts that must be combined & put together instantly before applying. Be very careful while applying the sealant to the corners and edges of the floor, where cracks can allow extra moisture to seep in. In spite of the fact that some sealers can be applied using a paint sprayer, the majority of the floor sealers are best applied using a standard paint roller. Completely cover a small area with a very fine & thin layer of sealer, before moving on to the next area. Continue as long as the entire floor is finished, sealers are most successful in producing a desired or intended result when you create a single, solid layer without the seams that can grow if you expand the work over more than one day. Dry the sealer, which generally takes nearly 24 hours, before applying a second thin coat, as needed. Two-part epoxy formulas need the use of a freshly mixed batch for each coat. Final drying needs another 24 hours before the floor is ready for new carpet or paint without moisture.