Concrete water damage takes much longer to fix than water damage to other materials like wood and upholstery. A concrete slab is extremely dense—this density greatly extends the drying process. Additional water damage may occur if the proper time and care are not taken while remediating water damage to a concrete slab.
It’s important to hire a trusted water damage company to fix concrete water damage. If the affected area is treated with low-quality equipment and little care is taken, then you may be left with more damage than before.
Understanding the Causes of Concrete Water Damage
Floods and burst pipes are the most common causes of concrete water damage. But these aren’t the lone culprits. A concrete slab may be damaged by the following:
- Moisture buildup in basements
- HVAC leaks and malfunctions
- Appliance leaks
- Leaking pipes
- Melting ice and snow
How to Identify Water Damage on a Concrete Slab
Identifying water damage on a concrete slab is relatively simple—just give it a look or a touch. If the concrete slab is shiny or glossy, it is probably wet. Dry concrete will look lighter in color and have no shine to it.
If you’re still unsure whether the concrete is wet, press down on its surface with your hand. It has likely suffered water damage if you feel moisture or if the concrete flakes off. A moisture meter will give you the most accurate results. This tool measures the water content of materials, and anything above 10% is probably damaged.
Why Professional Help Is Crucial for Concrete Water Damage Restoration
Drying concrete water damage is no walk in the park, and that’s alright. With the proper steps, knowledge, and patience, we can help fully remediate your floors and structures. Let’s look at some challenges a professional water damage team like PureDry overcomes to restore your floors.
Concrete is Porous
Concrete can absorb and hold much more water than other materials can. Since water sinks so deeply into concrete, it’s difficult to pull it back to the surface. Removing water then becomes a lengthier process than normal.
Slow Evaporation
Concrete’s density prevents it from quickly releasing moisture. If it is not properly dried, it will hold water for extended periods, promoting mold growth and increasing damage to materials on the surface.
False Dryness
Since water sinks so deeply into a concrete slab, drying the surface is not enough. Over time, trapped water will create mold outbreaks and surface cracks. At PureDry, we use advanced moisture meters to detect subsurface water. Our work isn’t done until we are 100% certain that your concrete slab is dry.
Impact on Flooring Installations
If new carpeting or tiling is installed over a water-damaged concrete slab, you will experience a number of unforeseen problems. As always, mold and mildew are a threat. Mold thrives in the dark, so placing an additional covering over water damage will only make things worse.
Adhesives commonly take on water damage from a concrete slab. Your carpet or tile may become loose after the excess moisture makes its adhesives bubble or ooze. Wood flooring is especially susceptible to damage from below. If water is stuck in a concrete slab, moisture will rise into the wood floor over time, causing it to warp, cup, and crack.
Misdiagnosed Problems
Since concrete water damage usually stays below the surface, contractors and homeowners often blame issues on the tile, wood, or carpet placed above the concrete slab. This can lead to thousands of dollars in wasted repairs and replacements.
Moisture Testing Challenges
Not all moisture meters are created equally. A low-cost meter usually cannot detect deep-rooted moisture, and most homeowners don’t have the necessary equipment to try other testing methods. A trusted water damage service will have advanced meters and detection methods, helping you root out the problem from the start.
Environmental Factors
Humid climates typically prevent water from evaporating quickly. And if your home or business has low amounts of airflow, these problems can compound to make concrete water damage more of a problem.
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How Our Professionals Dry Water-Damaged Concrete Floors
A professional water damage restoration company will take extensive steps to remediate your concrete water damage. First, we thoroughly inspect your damage using advanced moisture detection and mapping techniques. We build a unique plan for each home, letting our findings inform our next steps.
We then isolate excess moisture and trap it using containment chambers. These chambers are typically large boxes or sheets of plastic. After we’ve trapped all moisture, we bring out a series of high-grade dehumidifiers.
Dehumidification is one of the most critical aspects of water extraction. By restoring your air’s humidity to normal levels, we remove the conditions promoting mold growth and floor warping. If your air is not dehumidified, you may face the same issues all over again.
How to Protect Your Concrete Slab After Water Damage
After we’ve removed water damage from your concrete slab, it’s time to protect your surface against future issues. There are two main paths you can take: polishing or sealing.
Polished concrete is flatter and denser than normal concrete, and it’s well-sealed, too. Polishing is cost-effective, but it’s not recommended for kitchens or bathrooms.
Sealed concrete patches up gaps in normal concrete. It holds up well against stains and keeps moisture out. Sealing is low-cost and easy to install, but it performs poorly in high-traffic areas.
PureDry is Your Solution to Water-Damaged Concrete Slabs
PureDry is the Seattle area’s trusted residential and commercial water removal service. If water makes its way into your concrete slab, we’ll make sure it’s properly removed.
When moisture stays inside your concrete slab, it promotes mold growth and damages the flooring above. Before you pay thousands of dollars for new flooring, give our water extraction experts a call. We’ll properly treat your concrete water damage and prevent future moisture problems from occurring.
At PureDry, we answer your calls 24/7. We handle everything from water removal to full water damage repair, so give us a call today. You can reach us at (425) 600-9815 or contact us online.
