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Concrete Vapor Barriers

What Are Concrete Vapor Barriers and Why Are They Important?

If you’re a homeowner, then you know that taking care of your home is important. Ensuring that the foundation is solid and well-insulated is key to keeping your home in good condition. But, did you know that installing a concrete vapor barrier is an integral part of insulation?

Concrete vapor barriers are an essential part of helping keep your home dry. Furthermore, they are one of the many unsung heroes of a well-done job. So, here at EMC Coatings, we hope to educate our customers on these topics.

Now, continue reading to learn more about concrete vapor barriers. You will find that there is more to them than you initially thought.

What is a Concrete Vapor Barrier?

Concrete vapor barriers are materials that go underneath concrete slabs to help prevent moisture from passing through the slab. Moreover, there are two main types of vapor barriers: sheet membranes and fluid-applied systems. Manufacturers create sheet membranes with materials like polyethylene or polypropylene. Then, experts lay them down in a continuous sheet before they pour the concrete.

On the other hand, professionals apply fluid-applied systems by pouring them on the subgrade before the concrete lays down. Still, both types of barriers have advantages and disadvantages, so it is essential to consult with a professional. Vapor barriers are an integral part of any concrete installation, and proper application is vital to ensuring their effectiveness.

Why are Concrete Vapor Barriers Important?

Concrete vapor barriers are one of the most effective ways to protect against moisture damage. By preventing water vapor from passing through concrete walls or floors, they help to keep indoor spaces dry and free of mold and mildew. Also, vapor barriers help reduce energy costs by keeping heated or cooled air from escaping through cracks in the concrete.

In addition, vapor barriers can extend concrete life by protecting it from freeze-thaw damage and other forms of wear and tear. When properly installed, concrete vapor barriers provide a critical layer of protection against a wide range of moisture-related problems.

What Issues Can Arise With or Without Concrete Vapor Barriers?

Concrete vapor barriers are an essential part of any concrete structure. Without a vapor barrier, moisture can seep into the concrete and cause mold, mildew, and rot problems. A vapor barrier helps prevent these problems by creating a barrier between the concrete and the outside air.

Concrete vapor barriers are an essential part of any foundation. Still, they can also be a source of severe problems if the installation does not go correctly. Furthermore, manufacturers design vapor barriers to prevent moisture from passing through the concrete. However, suppose you or a contractor install a barrier too tight. In that case, they can trap moisture inside the concrete, leading to mold and mildew growth.

In addition, vapor barriers can also cause problems if experts do not install them at the correct depth. If they are too shallow, they will not be effective in preventing moisture from passing through the concrete. Also, suppose contractors install them too deeply. In that case, they can create a pocket of air that prevents the concrete from curing properly.

For these reasons, you must hire professionals you can trust to do your work. So, this is why you should employ EMC Coatings.

You Can Trust EMC Coatings

If you are worried about the quality of work on your home, call EMC Coatings. We are a company built on quality service and satisfying the customer. We will answer any questions you have to ensure complete transparency.

Our coating services include commercial epoxy coatings, epoxy garage floors, patio coatings, pool deck coatings, and shop floor coatings. In addition, we service the areas of Boerne, Buda, Canyon Lake, New Braunfels, and San Antonio, Texas.

Get a Free Quote Today!

EMC Coatings is the best flooring company in San Antonio, Texas. We guarantee you will be impressed with our work. Our experts give back to the community by providing quality work. And, we offer fair prices with top-of-the-line materials.

For a free quote today, visit our website or call us at (210) 430-4181.

What are the benefits of coating my garage or patio floor?

There are a multitude of benefits to coating your concrete surface. Our prep phase will eliminate high spots or surface deficiencies through diamond grinding or shotblasting. In addition, our trained technicians will fill in any cracks, holes, or spalls on your concrete surface prior to any coating being placed. This ensures a smooth and uniform appearance throughout your slab. Concrete is very porous and can make stain removal difficult. With a high-performance coating installed, you will be able to remove otherwise tough stains with a spray of your water hose. And lastly, our floors look amazing! The garage is often overlooked when it comes to renovation/upgrades, but a professionally installed resinous coating will add $$$ to the value of your home.

How long does a typical installation take?
In most cases, our highly trained technicians can wrap up your residential project in as little as 2 days. We do offer a state of the art 1 day system, where you can walk on your new floor the next day, but we do not recommend these rapid cure systems during the summer months. Commercial projects and larger residential projects (1K sq. feet or more) can certainly take more time to complete. As always, our sales team will visit your site to take accurate measurements and offer a realistic timeframe.
Do you offer free on-site quotes?
Yes, we do. EMC Concrete Coatings always prefers to visit you at your project site to take
measurements and go over your coatings/color options. Our quotes are valid for 90 days and there is never any pressure. We are not here to make you feel uncomfortable or pressured. Our process is smooth and easy for everyone involved.
Can you give me a “ball-park” price over the phone?
Yes. However, this is not the way we prefer to quote jobs. Each project is unique and a
“standard 2 car garage” is going to be different for every homebuilder in town. Square footage’s, linear walls, garage aprons, and condition of the slab all play a very important role in providing you with an accurate quote. This simply cannot be done in a matter of seconds via a phone call or messenger.
How much does it cost to install a decorative coating on my garage floor?
A typical 2 car garage coatings installation in the greater San Antonio area will cost between $2’400 and $3’000. Our pricing is based on square footages and other aspects of the project, including the linear footage of any stem walls, aprons, or repair work.

Oversized or multi-car garages, patios, or other areas will result in higher priced estimates.

Do you use epoxy or polyurea for garage coatings?
We use all the above. Resinous coatings do not come in a one size fits all application. The
details and specs of each project will help our trained technicians determine what coating is best for your project. Typically, we use polyurea coatings for our garages and patio installations. However, shop floors and other commercia/residential spaces will call for epoxies, urethanes, or water-based materials. Rest assured, no matter which products we use, they are from reputable coatings manufacturers and TDS sheets are always available to our customers upon
request.
Is this service affordable?
We are not the lowest priced team in town. We are also, certainly not the most expensive outfit on the block. Our pricing is determined by the costs of materials, inflation, demand, labor, and level of service. When choosing EMC Concrete Coatings, you have done yourself a great favor by hiring the best in the business. EMC does run specials throughout the calendar year for discounted floors and we always honor first responders, military, and front-line workers discounts.

Our team is always mindful of our customer’s budget. We are a locally owned and operated
small business, and we know the value of our hard-earned dollars and how much they mean to each one of us. We strive to provide our customers with the best possible pricing throughout the year. EMC honors our warranties, we show up on time, every time, and will go above and beyond to ensure you are 100% satisfied at the end of each project. If we miss the mark, we will rectify it. Simple as that.

Does my new floor come with a warranty?
Yes! We offer an excellent written warranty with all our floor coatings installations. Depending on which option you choose (stain, seal, epoxy/flake, solid color, or polish) the length of time will vary from 5 years to a limited lifetime homeowners’ warranty. We HONOR our warranties.
Who am I hiring if I choose EMC Concrete Coatings?
The best crew in town. From our brand-new trucks, wrapped-trailers, uniformed employees, and state of the art equipment – we are the best. Our technicians are certified and experienced installers. EMC is bonded, commercially insured, and experienced. Multiple professional references are available for commercial projects at any given time and our online reviews speak for themselves when it comes to our residential portfolio. You have made the right choice by calling the team at EMC Concrete Coatings. Most importantly, the owner of the company, Eric Calderon is personally involved in every project that comes through our door. Generally, Eric and his sales team will be the person you meet with at your project walk thru. You will then see Eric and his crew upon the day of installation. We never sub out our projects, our employees are in-house guys and Eric is there each step of the way to ensure maximum customer satisfaction!
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