Vapor Barrier Under Concrete Garage Floor

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.

Vapor barrier under concrete garage floor.

If you have a concrete floor that s in continuous contact with a source of moisture you re going to have problems. 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. Vapor barriers are a way to keep moisture from getting into the concrete. 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.

Overlap the seams about 6 to 8 inches and seal the seams with waterproof construction tape. 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. 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. Ft 24 hours in 82 days with a vapor barrier compared to 144 days when exposed to vapor from below.

A vapor barrier is not the same as an underlayment. 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. Here are some of the company s and their products. 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 pre construction solution is to use a vapor barrier under the concrete. This vapor barrier is nothing more than a heavy plastic sheet. Lay vapor barrier. It helps reduce mold and condensation in buildings.

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. 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. The 2012 international residential code states. Concrete garage floors vapor transmission.

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. Is a vapor retarder barrier necessary for under the concrete slab of a garage or basement. 15 mil vapor barrier by americover. 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.