Concrete Slab Vapor Barrier

A concrete vapor barrier is any material that prevents moisture from entering a concrete slab.

Concrete slab vapor barrier.

Aci 302 1 guide for concrete floor and slab construction states that the minimum thickness of an effective vapor barrier is 10 mils. It needs to dry and then stay dryto avoid flooring problems. Vapor barriers have been associated with certain concrete slab on grade problems including curling and cracking. But they have also proven to be beneficial in reducing failures of moisture sensitive flooring materials adhesives and coatings caused by excessive emission of moisture vapor from concrete slabs.

A concrete vapor barrier is simply a sheet of polyethylene plastic visqueen placed directly on top of the sub grade before the concrete floor or slab is poured to help keep moisture from the soil from passing up through the concrete. The term vapor barrier is often used interchangeably with the term vapor retarder to describe all membranes used to resist water vapor transmission. They do not degrade when used in this environment like typical polyethylene film comprised of high amounts of recycled material and can be used in the construction of. This was verfied by some field studies conducted by concrete constructionmagazine.

A vapor barrier is an impermeable membrane primarily used to resist water vapor transmission from the soil to the concrete slab. Thinner plastic can t stand up to the abuse of construction.