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Moisture problem under racedeck?

chicken12

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Joined
Apr 13, 2013
Messages
59
My racedeck order just arrived today. The floor in the garage is 14 years old and starting to develop some cracks. Nothing big, but cracks none the less. One of the reasons I just wanted to go with racedeck on top of a dozen others. Towards the back corner of the garage there is some splating from a few large spills of salt water over the years of keeping a reef tank filtration in the garage. That area when we have a big rain starts getting wet. Around the bulk of the house is sloped away hardscape so not sure if there is extra water getting under the slab some how. This has been slowly getting worse as the slab cracks more. Is this anything to worry about before I put down the racedeck? It dries up fairly quickly after the rains stop. Thanks
 

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Shea

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Sep 19, 2012
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California
One concern I would have would be why is the concrete cracking now? Are they just small spider cracks? Most concrete develops crack shortly after the pour and the months after during the curing process, not years later. For a slab to start cracking now, it may be a sign of soil movement, roots, a water leak under the slap, and etc. If they are very small, then it may not be anything.

The RaceDeck flooring is not going to effect the concrete either way. It is designed to flow air and breathe so that issues like yours won't develop mold or mildew since the concrete can still dry. However, because of the spalling and the occasional moisture, it may be to your benefit to apply a penetrating sealer to the concrete. It's easy to do, it's not expensive, and will slow down if not stop your moisture issues.
 

Garage Flooring

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Joined
May 21, 2011
Messages
5,288
Location
Grand Junction, CO
My racedeck order just arrived today. The floor in the garage is 14 years old and starting to develop some cracks. Nothing big, but cracks none the less. One of the reasons I just wanted to go with racedeck on top of a dozen others. Towards the back corner of the garage there is some splating from a few large spills of salt water over the years of keeping a reef tank filtration in the garage. That area when we have a big rain starts getting wet. Around the bulk of the house is sloped away hardscape so not sure if there is extra water getting under the slab some how. This has been slowly getting worse as the slab cracks more. Is this anything to worry about before I put down the racedeck? It dries up fairly quickly after the rains stop. Thanks

One concern I would have would be why is the concrete cracking now? Are they just small spider cracks? Most concrete develops crack shortly after the pour and the months after during the curing process, not years later. For a slab to start cracking now, it may be a sign of soil movement, roots, a water leak under the slap, and etc. If they are very small, then it may not be anything.

The RaceDeck flooring is not going to effect the concrete either way. It is designed to flow air and breathe so that issues like yours won't develop mold or mildew since the concrete can still dry. However, because of the spalling and the occasional moisture, it may be to your benefit to apply a penetrating sealer to the concrete. It's easy to do, it's not expensive, and will slow down if not stop your moisture issues.

Here is a decent article
https://www.concretenetwork.com/doug_bannister/efflorescence.htm

As Shea said its not the tile that is the issue. You have moisture coming up through the concrete. Densifiers and most sealers are not negative side waterproofers BUT they will reduce the ability of the concrete the wick water and may help.

If this was my floor, I would clean up and apply two applications of TL37 diluted 50% with HOT tap water. I would wait a week and then apply TL021 diluted 4:1 with hot water. Two applications wet on wet.
 
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chicken12

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Apr 13, 2013
Messages
59
My shop is jam full of tools and with the weather I have no real way to get things out to prep and install a coating like this. What risks do I have if I do nothing under the racedeck? Thanks
 

zeeway

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Joined
Jun 29, 2016
Messages
84
Location
South Carolina
You could do Racedeck in sections, and leave the troubled part of your floor exposed. Since water flows downhill (I think maybe Confucious said that)...you should be able to slope the ground away from your foundation, dig a French drain, etc., to stop water intrusion. I am ruling out broken pipes and artesian well situations, for now. But really...water intrusion will cause rusty tools and rotting walls...best to take care of it now.

If you cover up the problem with pretty Racedeck, your mind will forget about the problem until it becomes much bigger and perhaps more expensive to fix.
 

bczygan

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Nov 4, 2009
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DETROIT! Arsenal of Scrappers
Developing sink hole?

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