Milliken: The only moisture mitigation solution you’ll ever need
The simplest (and most cost-effective) way to mitigate the risk of moisture problems on your next project is through your choice of flooring.
M
oisture causes millions of dollars of damage in the construction industry, and a lot of the time it’s flooring that gets hit the hardest. As a result, many flooring installers are building
have an impermeable backing, meaning that the moisture
moisture mitigation products and processes into their instal-
With the slightest change in temperature, this water vapour
lation quotes as standard.
condenses into liquid water, and causes a wealth of problems,
vapour rises up through the concrete slab, and gets trapped beneath the flooring.
including mould growth, adhesive breakdown, or total floorHowever, many of the most commonly-used moisture mitigation products don’t actually solve or prevent moisture prob-
ing failure.
from the flooring, covering it up so it’s out of sight and out of
Do common moisture mitigation products solve the problem?
mind.
There are a whole range of moisture mitigation products avail-
What causes moisture problems?
able to help manage high-moisture situations: two-part epox-
lems from occurring – they simply isolate the moisture issues
The majority of moisture on a construction site or in a building exists in vapour form; in this state it’s harmless and doesn’t
ies, floor sealants, and adhesive-free installations are just a few of the most common options available.
cause any damage. In fact, you’re unlikely to experience any
However, these products all have one thing in common: they
moisture problems at all, unless the vapour condenses into
don’t prevent liquid water from forming. This means they
liquid water.
don’t deal with the root cause of the moisture problem, but
The concrete subfloor releases a lot of moisture vapour – ei-
rather manage and minimize the problems it causes.
ther from drying concrete on a new construction site, or due
Fortunately, there is an alternative option – one that deals
to fluctuations in the water table if the building is on or below-
with the root cause of moisture problems, rather than simply
grade. However, many flooring products are impermeable, or
acting as a bandage to cover-up the issue.
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Ops Talk • Fall 2018
