Vapour Barrier Under Concrete Slab

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.

Vapour barrier under concrete slab.

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 below slab vapor barrier can also help prevent sub slab radon ingress. Chemical resistance consideration if a vapor barrier is being used under a slab to control vapors at a brownfields site the chemical resistance of the vapor barrier must be considered. Should you put a vapor barrier under concrete slabs.

Florprufe vapor barriers gcp lied slab vapor barrier by professional concrete floor problems building under monolithic concrete slab 10 and 15 mil underslab vapor barrier concrete vapor barriers ers. A vapour barrier is a 0 2mm thick plastic lining under a concrete ground slab. The purpose of a vapour barrier is to provide a robust membrane material that will resist diffusion of moisture or gases through floors walls and ceilings. These are barriers that bond to poured concrete for use under slab foundation or basement walls.

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. Known for our flagship stego wrap line of below slab vapor barriers and retarders stego has earned the respect trust and recommendation of architectural engineering and construction communities. Many vapor barriers are synonymous with soil gas retarders in construction language. Thin plastic like this is often called a vapor retarder meaning it slows the vapor down but doesn t stop it.

A much better approach is a true vapor barrier with characteristics that conform to the requirements of astm e 1745 standard specification for water vapor retarders used in contact with soil or granular fill under concrete slabs. Too much moisture in concrete is a problem because it can cause ph changes that destroy adhesives. If heavy equipment will be operating on the vapor barrier or if the vapor barrier will be installed over an angular subbase a minimum of 15 mils is recommended. When evaluating the performance qualities of vapor barriers as soil gas retarders be sure to check the radon diffusion coefficient of the material before you select it.

Astm international gives specific guidelines in astm e1745 17 and astm e1643 for the use installation and inspection of vapor barriers used under concrete slabs. Stego industries is the leader in the below slab concrete vapor barrier market. It prevents moisture from coming up through the slab ie rising damp.