This video covers why your garage floor or any concrete slab can be having what’s called “Sweating Slab Syndrome”.
Reason 1:
1.) Dew Point Condensation is when warm, moist air meets cooler floors below the dew point temperature. Typically, this is when warmer outside air enters the building through an open loading dock, windows, or the ventilation system, then comes in contact with a much cooler floor. Though this can occur year-round anywhere in the world, it is most problematic in warmer regions or during the spring and fall seasons when warm, humid air during the day settles on floors that have cooled during the night.
Reason 2:
2.) Missing Vapor Retarder Under Slab: If the garage floor was installed without one by a contractor who maybe forget then this should be fixed. If this was already an issue after you bought the house from a previous owner then controlling moisture in the garage should be very important. Fixing the problem can be costly.
Reason 3:
3.) Hydrostatic Pressure Under Concrete Slab: Typically this pressure is caused by a moisture source close to the bottom of the slab, which in the absence of an effective moisture barrier below, water can rise through the pores in the concrete.
Reason Not Mentioned: On some projects, salt deposits on the surface of the slab led to can lead to Sweating Slab Syndrome. Here, the hygroscopic nature of the salt attracted moisture from the air and also possibly from within the concrete.
Solutions:
1.) Using dehumidifiers
2.) Increasing ventilation by opening windows or installing exhaust vents
3.) Fans can help reduce or eliminate slab sweating by minimizing ceiling-to-floor temperature differentials and increasing the surface evaporation rate
How bad is Sweating Slab Syndrome?
This can lead to damage to the foundation and the garage floor. Also slips and falls can occur because the floor will be more slippery if walked on. The extent of the sweating is what’s important is it’s not a lot i would say small adjustments to moisture control should solve the issue. If theirs a lot of sweating then it could be serious if cracks because to occur due to the increased moisture.
#homeimprovement #homeinspection #contractor #concreteslab #garagefloor #moisturecontrol
