Dew Point in Epoxy Flooring Installations
You should be aware of the humidity potential in areas with high humidity.
The dew point, which is simply the temperature at the condensation starts to form, depends on the moisture content in the surrounding environment. Condensation forms on any surface.
The atmospheric temperature below which water droplets can condense and form dew is called the Dew Point. Condensation forms when a cold glass is placed in a humid environment. The glass’s temperature is below the room’s dew point.
What are the Factors that Influence Dewpoints
Three things are required to determine the dew point:
- The ambient temperature
- The ambient relative humidity
- The temperature at the surface
How Concrete & Epoxy Flooring Installations Can Be Affected
Concrete can absorb moisture so it is important to avoid a certain dew point. Experts recommend not applying epoxy floor coatings if the dew point is less than five degrees Celsius.
Excessive condensation can cause epoxy flooring to warp or distort, resulting in an uneven mess.
Condensation can form on concrete slabs at temperatures lower than the room’s dew point. This can cause problems with your coating, such as a compromised bond or color inconsistencies.
Concrete’s dewpoint causes moisture to migrate to a damper, cooler environment. The concrete surface and/or the interior area should be cooler than the ambient temperature. Moisture will then migrate to that area. The environment’s moisture content controls the amount of moisture. The efficiency of moisture movement is determined by the concrete surface’s porosity and permeability.
This can cause problems both during and after installation. The problem occurs when water-based adhesives are applied to a substrate that is already damp (even though the concrete surface appears dry). It can be difficult, if not impossible, for adhesives to set properly in humid environments. Even if the adhesive is well transferred to the concrete floor, it may not be able to cure properly due to moisture.
Avoiding Dewpoint Problems
Dewpoint problems can be avoided by being aware of the surroundings and the environment where the flooring materials will be installed. You can determine your environment by measuring the temperature of the concrete and the concrete surface, as well as the relative humidity.
The relative humidity at the Jobsite must be below 60% during installation. To precondition the space and maintain a healthy environment during the installation, it may be necessary for air movement devices such as fans, blowers, or dehumidifiers to be installed.
Concrete that is too cold will cause it to freeze. This happens often in the winter months. The moisture will then move to the slab’s bottom, which is the cooler and damper side. Concrete doesn’t dry completely as a result. Propane heating and carbon dioxide both increase the likelihood of moisture problems in the future and now.
It is an important factor to consider. In our analysis, dewpoint accounts for at least 30%-40% of the moisture problems that we see. It is not surprising that conventional moisture control methods have shown apparent success despite the fact that dewpoint conditions are often misdiagnosed.
Floor coatings work, like other chemically-based projects, can be best when people in charge pay attention to environmental metrics such as the dew point.