Powerwashed floor wont dry

[jbass350z]

I have a 3 car garage that is mostly full, so I am looking for ways to epoxy my floor in sections. My first step was to get it clean so I power washed one of the areas. It has been almost 2 months and the concrete still shows signs of being wet. The power washing didnt really clean it as well as I hoped either and seemed to take off some of the skim coat in areas I had to really focus.

How long am I going to need to wait post power washing before doing any kind of surface treatment? I am thinking I should abandon the power washing for a grinder at this point.

 

[joey1320]

It all depends on the weather, temperature and moisture content in the garage.

Can you run a dehumidifier in there to try and dry it out?

 

[Sumboodie]

2 MONTHS?!

It should have been dry after a couple days at most.

 

[Roadster J]

Two months is a long time. Environmental conditions in winter are not ideal for evaporation.

Start with a fan and/or dehumidifier to see if things dry up.

If things do not improve quickly, moisture may be coming from the ground through the concrete.

After it does dry, tape a piece of plastic sheeting or garbage bag to the floor (Fully tape the perimeter so it is sealed to the floor). If moisture forms on the floor side, moisture is coming up from the floor.

A coating system may not be an appropriate choice if moisture is coming from the floor. My understanding is the coating will not last long term. (Full disclose - I am not a coating expert so take my comment as general in nature. There may be some type of super duper prep or gee-wiz coating type that would work)




Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[CombatNinja]

If you have a slab that won't dry after 2 months, it is time to abandon your plan for epoxy.

 

[rct]

Does the slab have a vapor barrier? After 2 mos I suspect ground moisture wicking.