The Importance of Moisture-Mitigating Primers for Slab On-Grade Construction and Green Concrete

Moisture-mitigating primers are specifically designed to protect flooring by reducing the exposure to moisture and preventing moisture from seeping through porous concrete slabs. Think of a moisture mitigation system as a worthwhile investment that protects your flooring system against severe and expensive water damage, while also extending the lifespan of your floor coating. Here’s how it works:

What Causes Excess Moisture in Concrete Slabs?

Most modern construction companies are making the switch to using more eco-friendly building materials and applications, such as water-based concrete mixes. Water-based products, however, take longer to dry than conventional concrete mixes and if water-based concrete mixes aren’t given enough time to fully dry, an excess amount of moisture remains in the mix.

Combined with the fact that concrete slabs are naturally porous, this can cause moisture to penetrate the substrate and destroy the flooring. Aside from water-based concrete mixes, other sources of moisture include:

• Water used in concrete flooring placement and finishing
• Underground water sources like nearby bodies of water (e.g. rivers, lakes, or oceans)
• High water tables (when the soil beneath the slab contains excess moisture due to nearby water access or poor drainage in high moisture areas)
• Overflow from irrigation systems or excess rainwater runoff

Concrete is naturally porous and the hydrostatic pressure from the abovementioned water sources forces moisture vapour through these tiny pores in the concrete substrate. This process occurs more frequently in concrete slabs that are extremely porous.

Exposure to too much moisture for long periods of time can weaken the adhesive integrity of the floor coating that’s bonded to the concrete slabs and cause the slabs to separate from one another.

How to Prevent Moisture Mitigation

Moisture mitigation primers like ISOMAT’s Duroprimer SG and Duroprimer W are your best weapon when it comes to preventing excess moisture penetration from destroying your flooring. Apply these primers according to the manufacturer’s instructions and recommendations.

The Importance of Primers for Moisture Mitigation

The demand for construction efficiency and eco-friendly products has increased the need for reliable moisture-mitigating systems. Failing to administer proper moisture control methods can result in potentially costly repairs or require the partial or complete removal and replacement of your flooring system.

Why Choose Our Moisture Mitigation Products?

At IMC Distributors, we’ll work with you to ensure we’re recommending the perfect product for your moisture mitigation needs. We carry a wide array of moisture mitigation products, including our ISOMAT Duroprimer SG and Duroprimer W.

Duroprimer SG is a phenomenal moisture mitigation primer that is also recommended for floors contaminated with oil. Duroprimer W, on the other hand, is also an excellent moisture mitigation primer that allows for coating over wet or green concrete (newer than 28 days).

These are two of many products that could be recommended depending on your specific use case. To learn more about the importance of moisture-mitigating primers or to find the right product for your project, contact us today!