Several air quality issues cause sweating slab syndrome. Find out how to control these issues and customize flooring solutions beyond just preventing water damaged floors.
What Is Sweating Slab Syndrome?
Sweating slab syndrome is the formation of condensation on concrete floors. Condensation happens when the ambient air in a facility changes faster than the temperature of a concrete slab. Because concrete temperatures change at a much slower pace than air does, a concrete slab can remain at a temperature lower than the dew point, causing moisture to form on the floor.
Sweating slab syndrome is most prevalent in spring and summer when temperatures fluctuate the most. The slab cools overnight, but as warm, moist air enters the space, it condenses quickly. Salt deposits within the concrete may also be to blame. Salt absorbs moisture from the air or within the concrete itself, and when the moisture content reaches its maximum, the salt dissolves and bleeds out on the surface of your concrete slab.
Sweating slab syndrome is common on dirty, oily flooring that experiences a lot of foot traffic. Dirty flooring is problematic, especially in high-traffic areas, because a wet floor is dangerous and can lead to injuries and accidents. A continually damp space also promotes mold and mildew growth. This is a health and safety concern as well as a problem for storage facilities. Having a maintenance program to keep your floors clean helps avoid dangers associated with sweating slab syndrome.
The health and safety concerns associated with excessive moisture on flooring, mold growth, and your concrete slab’s overall condition make sweating slab syndrome a significant issue that must be handled in your facility.
How to Keep Concrete Floors From Sweating
When determining how to dry wet concrete floors, it’s essential to determine the cause. There are three key elements to consider when preventing sweating slab syndrome: moisture level, airflow, and temperature control. Addressing these issues will have a significant impact on your concrete floors.
Moisture control of the air in your building is a critical step in preventing sweating slab syndrome. The most cost-effective and straightforward way to help combat or eliminate sweating slab syndrome is to use high-volume, low-speed fans. These energy-efficient fans continually circulate air throughout a facility, which mitigates ceiling-to-floor temperature differences. Surface evaporation also increases, preventing moisture from forming on floors.
Heating and air conditioning are some of the easiest solutions. However, they are often not cost effective. Keeping the area at a consistent temperature will lower the chances of moisture accumulation, but continuously running HVAC systems adds tremendous costs to your facility. Dehumidifiers are also very useful, but they too lack efficiency and drive up your operating costs.
Flooring Solutions to Fight Sweating Slab Syndrome
Controlling air quality conditions is a reliable way to prevent sweating slab syndrome but may not address more problematic flooring issues. If your flooring is subject to moisture, water, chemicals, or other liquid spills, taking proactive preventative measures is a long-term solution.
Urethane
Urethane cement is a mixture of a polymer binder with cement. When mixed, they create a smooth floor surface that’s impenetrable to all types of liquid. The seamless finish of urethane cement also provides a crack-resistant floor, which prevents water damage to your foundation. Urethane flooring is a long-term solution that offers incredible durability designed to withstand heavy foot traffic, temperature fluctuations, and large machinery.
Penetrating Concrete Sealers
Just as the name suggests, penetrating concrete sealers are made to penetrate more deeply into concrete and form a bond with free lime in the concrete. Penetrating sealers strengthen the surface of the concrete by filling in pores and creating a moisture barrier. When moisture enters the concrete slab and temperatures fluctuate, cracks begin to form. A penetrating sealer prevents this problem, helping your flooring system last longer.
Take the Next Step to Protect Your Flooring
Whether you are looking to install a new industrial flooring system or treat an existing one, you must take the proper steps to prepare your facility. The flooring experts at Ardor Solutions are ready to schedule a needs assessment to determine your facility’s best solutions.
