At ArmorPoxy, we deliver 'install-ready' kits to help you install excellent new durable floor coatings. Our coatings can make your concrete floor look like a million bucks. For walkways, recreation areas, and other interior and exterior spaces, our products are manufactured from the highest quality mil-spec resins and raw materials which yield maximum performance in virtually all applications. Enjoy a bright, clean-looking result with coating mixes that are formulated to stand the tests of time.
Before you order, you can check your concrete to see if it is releasing moisture. Concrete can exude dampness in the right conditions, or if it is newly-poured and not fully cured. It may look and feel hard, but it is porous and moisture can evaporate from it. Moisture coming from a slab is known as outgassing , and can create bubbles in your finish. Contractors and professional floor installers tend to know this, which is why they treat concrete moisture testing with special care.
Benefits of Checking Your Concrete for Moisture
- Prevents Coating Failures: Moisture can cause coatings to bubble and peel. By testing for moisture beforehand, you ensure a durable and long-lasting finish.
- Enhances Aesthetic Appeal: A well-prepared surface leads to a smooth, even application of coatings, providing a visually appealing finish that enhances the overall look of your space.
- Identifies Moisture Issues Early: Performing a simple DIY moisture test allows you to identify potential moisture problems before installing flooring, saving you time and costly repairs later on.
- Guides Appropriate Solutions: If moisture is detected, you can take necessary measures, such as applying a moisture barrier or selecting suitable epoxy coatings to mitigate the issue.
- Improves Long-Term Performance: Addressing moisture issues up front ensures that your flooring system performs optimally over time, reducing maintenance and replacement needs.
- Cost-Effective Approach: A quick DIY test can save you money by preventing the need for professional moisture testing unless necessary, allowing for budget-friendly decision-making.
- Informs Product Choice: Knowledge of moisture levels helps you select the right type of epoxy or flooring solution suited for your specific environment, ensuring compatibility and effectiveness.
- Increases Property Value: Well-maintained flooring systems can enhance the value of your property, making it more appealing to potential buyers or tenants.
Here's how to perform a simple DIY moisture test.
Clear the Area
You can’t adequately test for moisture with objects sitting on your floor, so get a cleared space to start. This will make it easy to do before you try to tackle a floor area. You might have to stack some stuff outside or to the sides temporarily, but it’s a small price to pay.
It’s also important to eliminate any existing standing water because that’s going to impact your test. Visibly wet or damp areas cannot be tested.
Tape Down Plastic
Lots of experts recommend getting a piece of plastic about 2' x 2' or slightly larger and taping down the edges firmly over the concrete. Let that rest 24 hours, and then check it later.
Look for Evaporation and Condensation
If your concrete is releasing moisture, you’re likely to see it as either dampness or darkening under the plastic. If small condensation beads develop on the plastic sheet then water is 100% present. The water evaporates and then condenses on the plastic to show visually that humidity is escaping from your concrete floor. That can help you plan for a moisture barrier epoxy coating or taking other measures to improve your flooring for the long-term.
Another option is to get professional tests like a calcium chloride kit or humidity meter tools, but this simpler test is much more accessible for property owners. If you find that you have dampness or condensation, we would recommend that you do a calcium chloride test to measure the moisture.
Ask us about what you can do for your floors if you do have water present. As a leading manufacturer and distributor of commercial epoxy flooring and epoxy floor kits that demonstrate value for our customers, we can recommend the right coating for your project.