Vapor Barrier Under Concrete Garage Floor

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.

Vapor barrier under concrete garage floor.

The pre construction solution is to use a vapor barrier under the concrete. 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. If you have a concrete floor that s in continuous contact with a source of moisture you re going to have problems. Ft 24 hours in 82 days with a vapor barrier compared to 144 days when exposed to vapor from below.

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. 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. Concrete garage floors vapor transmission.

It helps reduce mold and condensation in buildings. Is a vapor retarder barrier necessary for under the concrete slab of a garage or basement. Here are some of the company s and their products. 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. This vapor barrier is nothing more than a heavy plastic sheet. 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. 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.

Insulating concrete garage floors begins with covering the entire floor with 6 mil polyethylene which will serve as a vapor barrier. 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. A vapor barrier is not the same as an underlayment. The 2012 international residential code states.

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. 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. 15 mil vapor barrier by americover. 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.