Moisture Barrier Over Concrete Floor

Before rolling out the underlayment be sure to sweep vacuum and remove all debris on the substructure.

Moisture barrier over concrete floor.

How to install vapor barrier on concrete floor under laminate flooring always read the flooring manufacturers recommendations and instructions before installing the underlayment. Is now estimated at over one billion dollars a year requires that greater attention be given to concerns about moisture within and below these slabs. Along with the moisture barrier you may want to install an underlayment. If your concrete passes the moisture test then plastic sheeting at least 6 mils thick will prevent moisture from getting into your laminate flooring.

The difficulty of course is that if the moisture barrier is compromised in any way moisture from the slab beneath can still damage the flooring or finish. 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. A concrete floor with a too high moisture content can wreak havoc on a vinyl floor. However the fact that the cost of floor coverings over concrete floor slabs in the u s.

Install a plastic vapor barrier. A vapor barrier against the concrete surface is generally recommended before wood framing or flooring materials are installed. 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. Crawl spaces benefit from a polyethylene moisture barrier placed directly over the exposed earth.

It helps reduce mold and condensation in buildings. 15 mil vapor barrier by americover. A vapor barrier is not the same as an underlayment. Vapor barriers are a way to keep moisture from getting into the concrete.

For floating floors manufacturers often recommend installing a moisture barrier between the subfloor and the floating floor to prevent moisture intrusion. Where plastic sheets must be joined overlap the sheets by several inches and use strong vinyl tape to secure them. Here are some of the company s and their products. A moisture barrier is need to protect the flooring against moisture or moisture vapor.

A moisture barrier may or may not be needed to insure good adhesion of your vinyl floor so do your homework to avoid problems later on down the road. This is why a vapor barrier under concrete is essential. Moisture can come up through your subfloor especially if you are installing over concrete or below grade. Below grade walls and floor slabs transmit ground moisture through concrete walls or slabs.

Confusion and debate over the use of vapor retarders will likely continue into the future.