Thursday's #MAPEITechTip: How can MVER be managed in a concrete slab -minimizing the risk of failure in a floor covering system?

There are two key factors in managing the moisture in a concrete slab:
1. Building Design is the first line of defense: remove or repair any sources of excessive moisture near the foundation, eg: broken irrigation pipes, down spouts, interior pipe ruptures, pooling of water, soil erosion, poor grading/slope to building and damaged or non-existent vapor retarder under the slab. (ASTM E1745)

2. Moisture Control Coating System: application of a 100%- epoxy solids, two-part moisture barrier system: These moisture control systems are specifically designed to work in conjunction with good building design practices as a secondary barrier (good design is the first barrier) for any residual moisture in the concrete slab, providing added protection to the finished covering system. Typically these systems manage the moisture up to 25 lbs. (11,3 kg) MVER and reduces them to less than 3 lbs. per 1,000 sq. ft. (1,36 kg per 92,9 m2) per 24 hours and protect up to a 100% RH in the slab (see ASTM F3010 “Standard Practice for Two-Component Resin Based Membrane-Forming Moisture Mitigation Systems for Use Under Resilient Floor Coverings”).

MAPEI makes three products specifically designed to manage moisture in concrete slabs, Planiseal EMB, Planiseal VS & Planiseal VS Fast.

Next Thursday we will continue our MVER discussion…if repairs to the concrete slab are required prior to applying a moisture control system, can any patching compound or self-lever be used?