Vapor Barrier For Concrete Slab

Uncontrolled water vapor through concrete slabs has cost building owners designers and contractors billions of dollars.

Vapor barrier for 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. Astm e 1643 standard practice for installation of vapor retarders used in contact with earth or granular fill under concrete slabs provides details but here are a few tips. 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 barriers come in two types 6 mil vapor barrier roll.

The other characteristic of a good vapor barrier that makes it effective is resistance to punctures and tears. 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. Find out where to buy vapor barriers and other problem solving products. Should you put a vapor barrier under concrete slabs.

Vapor and gas barriers. To be effective a vapor barrier must be installed in a way that prevents any water vapor from getting to the slab. A vapor barrier is an impermeable membrane primarily used to resist water vapor transmission from the soil to the concrete slab. 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.

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. The use of underslab vapor barriers is the best method and most economical solution for controlling water vapor migration through concrete slabs.