Concrete may look solid, but it’s surprisingly porous. Beneath the surface, tiny capillaries allow moisture vapour to move upward from the ground or the slab itself. This invisible process called moisture vapour transmission can create damage on the floor. For facility managers, contractors, and even commercial kitchen operators, understanding MVT and how it can be stopped is key to achieving lasting and high-performance flooring.
The Hidden Problem of Your Floor
Every concrete slab contains moisture. Even when it appears dry, vapour pressure inside the slab can push moisture to the surface over time. When that happens under a coating, adhesive or floor system, results can be costly. Some of the costly solutions are
Delamination: Rising vapour causes coatings to lose adhesion, peeling away from the surface.
Bubbling or Blistering: Pressure pockets from under the coating, creating unsightly blisters and weak spots.
Coating Failure: Continuous moisture exposure breaks down resins, causing cracks, discolouration or full system failure.
Adhesive Breakdown: In tiled or vinyl systems, adhesives can soften or release entirely due to moisture intrusion.
Even a minor vapour issue can ruin an entire floor system, leading to expensive repairs, downtime and damage to the facility's reputation or safety standards.
Why High-Moisture Environments Are at Risk
Certain industries are constantly exposed to water, humidity and temperature swings. All of which accelerate MVT.
Food and Beverage Processing: Frequent washdowns, spills and cleaning chemicals keep floors damp, increasing vapour pressure.
Warehouses and Manufacturing Plants: Large concrete slabs in varying temperatures trap moisture that eventually forces its way up.
Basements and Parking Garages: Below-grade and ground-level spaces are naturally prone to moisture migration from soil below.
Without a proper vapour barrier, even the best coating system can fail long before its expected lifespan.
How ArmorPoxy’s Moisture Vapour Barrier Stops the Damage
Concrete flooring has its own problems and issues. That is where a moisture vapour barrier epoxy makes all the difference.
ArmorPoxy Moisture Vapour Barrier Epoxy is engineered to block even high levels of moisture vapour transmission up to 20 lb per 24 hours per 1000 sq ft.
Once applied, it forms a dense, impermeable layer that seals the concrete surface, preventing vapour from escaping and protecting the topcoat from pressure, blistering or delamination.
Key Benefits
- 100% solids, zero VOC formulation, making it safe for indoor use.
- Excellent adhesion to properly prepared concrete.
- Compatible with epoxy, polyaspartic and polyurethane topcoats.
- Suitable for industrial, commercial and residential floors.
Whether it’s a food plant, warehouse or commercial kitchen, the ArmorPoxy system creates a stable foundation that keeps floors strong, safe and beautiful for years.
Protect your investment from the ground up
Ignoring moisture issues doesn’t make them disappear; it makes them more expensive. Installing a moisture vapour barrier epoxy before your topcoat or flooring system gives you peace of mind that your floor is built to last.