Vapor Barrier For Concrete Slab Floor

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 floor will be used for any purpose where the passage of water vapor through the floor may create problems.

Vapor barrier for concrete slab 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. To take it one step further astm e 1745 class a vapor barriers products with less than 0 01 perms are the best approach to protecting your concrete slab and components moisture sensitive floor and iaq from moisture sources below. 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. Aci 302 1 which is an american concrete institute standard for slab construction was modified in the early 2000 s to reflect the change in the placement of the vapor barrier directly below the concrete if a low permeable membrane flooring was to be installed.

There is always water underneath the ground while it might not be near the surface it is there. The use of underslab vapor barriers is the best method and most economical solution for controlling water vapor migration through concrete slabs. Vapor and gas barriers. 15 mil vapor barrier by americover.

Uncontrolled water vapor through concrete slabs has cost building owners designers and contractors billions of dollars. The last thing you want your customers to envision when thinking of a concrete floor is a damp cold basement slab. 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. It helps reduce mold and condensation in buildings.