Concrete Slab Vapor Barrier

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.

Concrete slab vapor barrier.

It needs to dry and then stay dryto avoid flooring problems. This was verfied by some field studies conducted by concrete constructionmagazine. They do not degrade when used in this environment like typical polyethylene film comprised of high amounts of recycled material and can be used in the construction of. Vapor barriers have been associated with certain concrete slab on grade problems including curling and cracking.

The term vapor barrier is often used interchangeably with the term vapor retarder to describe all membranes used to resist water vapor transmission. But they have also proven to be beneficial in reducing failures of moisture sensitive flooring materials adhesives and coatings caused by excessive emission of moisture vapor from concrete slabs. A concrete vapor barrier is any material that prevents moisture from entering a concrete slab. Aci 302 1 guide for concrete floor and slab construction states that the minimum thickness of an effective vapor barrier is 10 mils.

A concrete vapor barrier is simply a sheet of polyethylene plastic visqueen placed directly on top of the sub grade before the concrete floor or slab is poured to help keep moisture from the soil from passing up through the concrete. Meadows underslab vapor barriers are ideal for use under concrete slabs that come in contact with soil.