Vapour Barrier Under Concrete Slab
These are barriers that bond to poured concrete for use under slab foundation or basement walls.
Vapour barrier under concrete slab. If heavy equipment will be operating on the vapor barrier or if the vapor barrier will be installed over an angular subbase a minimum of 15 mils is recommended. Liquid membranes systems are engineered for below slab construction. Why is too much moisture in concrete a problem. Should you put a vapor barrier under concrete slabs.
A below slab vapor barrier can also help prevent sub slab radon ingress. 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. Stego industries is the leader in the below slab concrete vapor barrier market. When evaluating the performance qualities of vapor barriers as soil gas retarders be sure to check the radon diffusion coefficient of the material before you select it.
Too much moisture in concrete is a problem because it can cause ph changes that destroy adhesives. Known for our flagship stego wrap line of below slab vapor barriers and retarders stego has earned the respect trust and recommendation of architectural engineering and construction communities. Many vapor barriers are synonymous with soil gas retarders in construction language. Astm international gives specific guidelines in astm e1745 17 and astm e1643 for the use installation and inspection of vapor barriers used under concrete slabs.
By steve ragan director research and technical services the answer to this controversial question from both angles is a qualified yes vapor barriers have been associated with certain concrete slab on grade problems including curling and cracking. Florprufe vapor barriers gcp lied slab vapor barrier by professional concrete floor problems building under monolithic concrete slab 10 and 15 mil underslab vapor barrier concrete vapor barriers ers. 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. It prevents moisture from coming up through the slab ie rising damp.
Chemical resistance consideration if a vapor barrier is being used under a slab to control vapors at a brownfields site the chemical resistance of the vapor barrier must be considered. Vapor barriers under concrete floor slabs. Thin plastic like this is often called a vapor retarder meaning it slows the vapor down but doesn t stop it.