finishing concrete floor with moisture issue

phildesign · #1 Mar 19, 2008, 07:30 PM

Our home recently got wet when a storm of the century hit the region. I don't know where the water came from since I wasn't home but I believe it came from the ground.

Three months later I'm trying to finish the floors, ideally leaving the concrete exposed. Having done moisture tests it appears our basement is encountering floor failure. The calcium chloride moisture test results ended up being 3.75, 4.25 and 4.25 for the three rooms. (I'd imaging they'll be quite a bit lower in the summer)

Other than grinding down the floor, laying down an epoxy layer, covering with a thin layer of polymer concrete and then staining and sealing. Is there a different, less costly approach that might look nice and work with the moisture levels? I got quoted 10k do do the work on a 1000sf floor. Ideally I'd love to spend half of that.

thanks for your help.

the1unv · Mar 20, 2008, 01:53 PM

How long has it been since the floor was wet ? If the storm hit 3 months ago how long did the water sit there? It can take a while for the moisture to disappear. I would suggest running a dehumidifier and waiting a couple more months. you may find the moisture level dropping by 50%. If you can get the moisture level to drop you should be able to have a 1000sf done for about $2500.00......less than 1/2 of that if you do it yourself. I did a 825sf floor for $500.00
Mike

phildesign · Mar 20, 2008, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the1unv

How long has it been since the floor was wet ? If the storm hit 3 months ago how long did the water sit there? It can take a while for the moisture to disappear. I would suggest running a dehumidifier and waiting a couple more months. you may find the moisture level dropping by 50%. If you can get the moisture level to drop you should be able to have a 1000sf done for about $2500.00......less than 1/2 of that if you do it yourself. I did a 825sf floor for $500.00
Mike

Thanks for the suggestion Mike,
It's been three months since I started to dry out the basement. The water never was really standing much; the carpet that was on top of the tiling acted as a wick but there wasn't enough water to puddle up..
I've heard that sometimes running a dehumidifier draws moisture through the concrete and can counteract the drying. Have you heard of that before?

the1unv · Mar 20, 2008, 10:28 PM

It may draw some moisture throgh the concrete........it has to come out. I have never had an issue of drying being counteracted by a dehumidifier. You can check your moisture on your own to check drying progress. Take a 2' x 2' piece of plastic, lay it on the floor, duct tape it down tight around the edges, leave for 24 hours and check. If it is dry,,,,good, If it is wet under the plastic you still have moisture problem.
Mike

phildesign · Mar 23, 2008, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the1unv

It may draw some moisture throgh the concrete........it has to come out. I have never had an issue of drying being counteracted by a dehumidifier. You can check your moisture on your own to check drying progress. Take a 2' x 2' piece of plastic, lay it on the floor, duct tape it down tight around the edges, leave for 24 hours and check. If it is dry,,,,good, If it is wet under the plastic you still have moisture problem.
Mike

thanks Mike,
mind me asking what product you used on your floor?



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