Damp Floor Treatment
Damp rising through concrete floor slabs is fairly common, causing damp issues on carpets and floor coverings, warping wooden floors and increasing the likelihood of low-level mould growth. The damp-proof membranes used during construction of concrete floors are often thin, and can easily become torn before they are laid, rendering them ineffective.
Concrete is naturally very porous. This means that water can rise up through capillaries, which can lead to damp floors and mould problems.
Modern houses are built with damp-proof membranes to avoid damp rising through concrete floors. Older buildings, however, were often built without damp-proof membranes and problems with damp floors can arise in these properties. Problems with damp floors can be tricky to deal with, whether in old buildings or new ones. Traditionally, when the physical damp-proof membrane is faulty or entirely missing, the whole floor has to be replaced as identifying the exact location of the defect can be difficult.
In new-build homes, it may be necessary to install a damp-proof membrane on top of a concrete slab. This will enable moisture sensitive floor finishes (e.g. wooden floors) to be laid on top of the slab – enabling works to be completed more quickly than would otherwise be the case.
Safeguard offer two options for the treatment of damp rising through existing concrete floors. We also offer solutions for waterproofing slabs during construction.
The Drybase range of liquid-applied coatings including Drybase ECS Epoxy Floor Coatings and Drybase Liquid-Applied DPM can be applied directly to damp floors to create a damp-proof barrier without raising the floor level. Drybase products have the advantage of being extremely easy to apply.
Drybase Liquid-Applied DPM should be used in situations where the final surface is going to be covered. The excellent adhesive qualities and quick drying time of Drybase Liquid-Applied DPM make it extremely versatile. Small domestic areas that are going to have carpet, wood or synthetic floors as the final surface are ideal to use in conjunction with the liquid-applied DPM.
Drybase ECS Epoxy Floor Coatings should be used in situations where the cured surface needs to be trafficable. The hard wearing nature of epoxy coatings enables the surface to be walked on without any other floor coverings being put on top, making them ideal for garages and light industrial areas.
When using liquid-applied coatings such as Drybase Liquid-Applied DPM, it is very important to make sure that the surface to which they’re being applied is properly prepared. Any significant amounts of dust, laitance or oily / greasy deposits can affect the longevity and effectiveness of the coating. The preparation can include power cleaning, grit blasting and / or acid etching.
Because liquid-applied damp-proof coatings are so versatile, they can sometimes be used for other purposes such as isolating timber from masonry, or as a bonding agent for plasters and bund lining.
Where a solution requiring minimal surface preparation is required, Oldroyd Xs Slimline membrane should be considered.
Oldroyd Xs Slimline Membrane is a tough, polypropylene membrane that can be laid on top of damp concrete floors with minimal surface preparation. A wide choice of flooring types can then be laid on top, e.g.screeds, particle board, laminated wooden flooring.
Oldroyd Xs Slimline Membrane is much thicker than conventional damp-proof membranes, and is manufactured from polypropylene, making it extremely resistant to on-site damage. Its patented ‘X’ pattern makes it easy to cut and fold. It also allows moisture to move behind the membrane, and allows for shrinkage movement when screeds are laid on top.
In refurbishment projects, the use of Oldroyd Xs Slimline Membrane can allow new finishes to be applied to existing floors without the need to resort to expensive excavation and relaying of damp floors. Oldroyd Xs Slimline Membrane protects the flooring finish from dampness as well as contaminants such as oil, gas, and acids, making it an excellent choice for factory and warehouse conversions.
Where new floor slabs are to be laid, the use of Oldroyd Xs Slimline Membrane can allow the fast-track installation of floor finishes while the floor slab is still “drying down”, allowing faster completion of projects.
Oldroyd Xs Slimline Membrane should not be used in aggressive groundwater situations. The studded Oldroyd Xv Clear or Oldroyd Xv Black membranes should be used instead.
For technical advice on any of the products or methods mentioned above or for contracting contacts, please call us on 01403 210204 or submit an enquiry.
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