Concrete Slab Vapor Barrier
Apply SingleSeal Freeze Protect™ Instead of Using a Plastic Poly Vapor Barrier Under A Concrete Floor Slab
Installing a vapor barrier underneath the concrete floor slab has long since been the standard way to dampproof a concrete floor.
However, in practice, this process is notoriously flawed. The vapor barrier can easily be punctured or damaged during the construction process, creating an inferior installation that causes the vapor barrier to be compromised or not function the way it was designed. Additionally, long-term deterioration can also lead to a failure of the vapor barrier material.
Slab Vapor Barrier Alternatives
Instead of using a below-floor vapor barrier, we recommend applying SingleSeal Freeze Protect™. This concrete sealer can be easily applied to both cured and newly-placed concrete, sealing your concrete from moisture transmission and creating a durable, reliable slab vapor barrier in just 2-4 hours.
. 
. 
Below-Slab Vapor Barrier Problems & Limitations
Traditional Method
Typical vapor barrier installation
Our Method
Complete floor vapor penetration protection
Stops vapor transmission between footing & wall
Stops vapor transmission through wall
When using a poly vapor barrier, it’s possible for the stone backfill or re-bar to puncture and tear the poly vapor barrier. It is also possible for the vapor barrier to disintegrate over time. When this happens, the porous concrete acts like a sponge, and the capillary actions will move moisture to the surface of the concrete. This creates visible damp areas on the concrete surface. Water vapor is also released which can dampen building materials and promote mold growth. When this occurs we create musty smells and potential health issues.
SingleSeal Freeze Protect™ hardens to a glasslike silicate barrier — and we know that water and water vapor cannot pass through glass. This eliminates the negative probabilities of using a poly vapor barrier.
When applied to a concrete floor during new construction, SingleSeal Freeze Protect™ proves to be superior to the standard 2, 4, or even a 6 mil vapor barrier, and is about as effective as an 8 ml barrier.
| Poly Liner | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mil Thickness | .002 | .004 | .006 | .008 | .010 |
| Permeance* | 0.38 | 0.19 | 0.13 | 0.096 | 0.076 |
|
SingleSeal Freeze Protect™ |
||
|---|---|---|
| Mil Thickness | .085 | Permeance- <0.102 |
|
Water Vapor Transmission ASTM E 96-E Permeance Perms |
||
Simplify your New Construction!
One five-gallon container can treat up to 1500 square feet, so it should be more than enough for nearly any concrete foundation floor. After it’s been applied, it’s dry and ready in just 2-4 hours. SingleSeal Freeze Protect™ can also be used on interior (negative side) walls to eliminate dampness caused by capillary action. This will result in dampproof concrete walls.
As a concrete sealer, SingleSeal Freeze Protect™ can also be used on exterior walls to replace gradeline tar, will dry in just 2-4 hours making it usable throughout the construction site. To sweeten the deal, SingleSeal Freeze Protect™ eliminates the need to use concrete blankets during new construction, saving time and money while eliminating steps.