Moisture issues in Concrete - Problems and Resolutions

Moisture problems have increased for a number of reasons:

¨Curing and sealing of concrete; September of 1999 new VOC laws changed both formats and application methods and more than ten years later most do not understand the methods.

¨Fast track construction also really began over the past 20 years.  “Time is of the essence” is written in contract documents which put everyone under a certain time frame and general contractors in a bad mood.

¨Lightweight aggregates and aggregates that absorb moisture are being used.

¨Tighter time frames of building construction.

¨EPA restrictions on land results in some buildings being built on marginal land.

¨Changes in concrete mix designs including the use of both slag and fly-ash results in slower cure times.  Set retardants and admixtures also have contributed to these issues.

¨Failure of tradesmen to stay abreast of new emerging trends.

The previous has also contributed to moisture vapor transmission problems.   Read entire aticle