Vapor Barrier Under Concrete Basement Floor

It needs to dry and then stay dry to avoid flooring problems.

Vapor barrier under concrete basement floor.

By steve ragan director research and technical services the answer to this controversial question from both angles is a qualified yes vapor barriers have been associated with certain concrete slab on grade problems including curling and cracking. A concrete vapor barrier is any material that prevents moisture from entering a concrete slab. Always read the flooring manufacturers recommendations and instructions before installing the underlayment. That way you have the extra layer of protection and don t have to worry about potential leaks.

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 used because while fresh concrete is poured wet it s not supposed to stay that way. Vapor barriers under concrete floor slabs. The 2012 international residential code states.

One of the reasons those old basement floors were like that was because they had no vapor barrier beneath them leaving an easy path for water vapor from the soil to migrate into the slab assuring that the cold clammy damp feeling never went away. A test used by flooring contractors is to tape a square of poly to the basement floor for 24 hours and see if water droplets collect under the poly. 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. How to install vapor barrier on concrete floor under laminate flooring.

If you ve ever had a problem with a basement floor or any concrete floor you. Any kind of persistent moisture will allow mold to get a foothold and soon ruin carpet or wood flooring. Is a vapor retarder barrier necessary for under the concrete slab of a garage or basement. As mentioned earlier a sub slab gravel layer and vapor barrier will help keep things dry but you may not know what s under your slab.

Before rolling out the underlayment be sure to sweep vacuum and remove all debris on the substructure. Here are some of the company s and their products. For concrete basement floors that give off large amounts of moisture it might be worth considering installing a 6 mil vapor barrier with an underlayment that has an attached pad. 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.

The last thing you want your customers to envision when thinking of a concrete floor is a damp cold basement slab. Concrete garage floors vapor transmission. It helps reduce mold and condensation in buildings. 15 mil vapor barrier by americover.