The flooring industry spends approximately US$2.4 billion annually to repair moisture-related floor failures. Even so, most remedies can only address the symptoms of moisture-related failures, not the root cause.
The main cause of floor failure is the moisture emanating from the concrete. Although the construction industry has recognized surface moisture as the cause of floor failure, it is actually a symptom of a deep-rooted problem. By addressing this symptom without addressing the root cause, stakeholders face the risk of continued failure of the floor. In the past few decades, the construction industry has made countless attempts to solve this problem, but with little success. The current repair standard of covering the slab with a special adhesive or epoxy resin only solves the surface moisture problem and ignores the root cause of concrete permeability.
To understand this concept more thoroughly, you must first understand the basic science of concrete itself. Concrete is a dynamic combination of components that combine to form a catalytic compound. This is a one-way linear chemical reaction that starts when water is added to the dry ingredients. The reaction is gradual and can be changed by external influences (such as atmospheric conditions and finishing techniques) at any point in the reaction process. Each change may have a negative, neutral or positive impact on permeability. In order to prevent these conditions from failing, the one-way chemical reaction of concrete curing must be controlled. Products that can control this chemical reaction, optimize concrete permeability, and eliminate floor curling and curing-related cracking.
Based on these findings, MasterSpec and BSD SpecLink created a new classification in Part 3, identified as curing and sealant, reducing moisture emissions, and penetration. This new Division 3 classification can be found in MasterSpec section 2.7 and online BSD SpecLink. To qualify for this category, products must be tested by a third-party independent laboratory in accordance with ASTM C39 test methods. This category should not be confused with any film-forming moisture emission reduction compound, which introduces additional bonding lines and does not meet the higher performance standards of the permeation classification.
Products belonging to this new category do not follow the traditional repair process. (The previous average cost was at least $4.50/square foot.) Instead, with a simple spray application, these systems can penetrate concrete, shrink the capillary matrix, and reduce permeability. The reduced permeability disrupts the mechanism that allows moisture, moisture, and alkalinity to be transported to the surface of the slab or bonding layer. By simply eliminating floor failures completely, regardless of floor type or adhesive, this eliminates the high cost of moisture-related repairs due to floor failures.
One product in this new category is SINAK’s VC-5, which controls permeability and eliminates floor failure caused by moisture, moisture, and alkalinity emitted by concrete. VC-5 provides permanent protection on the day of concrete placement, eliminating repair costs, and replacing curing, sealing, and moisture control systems. Less than 1 USD/m². Compared with the traditional average repair cost, ft VC-5 can save more than 78% of the cost. By linking the budgets of Division 3 and Division 9, the system eliminates responsibilities by improving project communication and effective planning. So far, SIAK is the only company that has developed technologies that exceed the industry’s highest standards in this field.
For more information on how to prevent slab moisture problems and eliminate overflow faults, please visit www.sinak.com.
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Post time: Sep-04-2021