The value leader in commercial & residential concrete moisture mitigation

FAQs about concrete sealers

Why Does My Concrete Floor Sweat?

Concrete floors sweat when warm, humid air comes into contact with the colder concrete slab, causing condensation to build up on the surface.

What is the source of your concrete dampness? Example of concrete floor sweating with moisture on the surface

  • High Humidity: Failing ventilation in your space can cause humidity to excessively build up and force your concrete floor to sweat, even when your vapor barrier is functioning. 
  • Faulty or Missing Vapor Barrier: When the vapor barrier underneath your concrete floor isn’t working properly, moisture from the ground will seep up and bead on top of your floor. 

How to test for the source of concrete moisture

To determine whether the moisture on your concrete floor is caused by humidity or a faulty vapor barrier, follow these steps:

  1. Tape a 2x2 ft square of plastic sheeting onto a dry area of the concrete surface.
  2. Leave the plastic sheeting in place for at least 48 hours.
  3. After 48 hours, remove the plastic and check for moisture condensation.

 

If you notice beaded moisture under the plastic sheet, it’s likely due to a faulty or missing vapor barrier. If there is no beaded moisture, the problem is probably related to high humidity in your space. In the case of high humidity, improving ventilation and controlling the temperature should help resolve the problem.

Bone Dry Sealers and Etch-A-Crete with Concrete Moisture Problems

Bone Dry Etch-A-Crete is an eco-friendly, user-friendly blend of mild acids, emulsifiers, enzymes and wetting agents designed to etch troweled concrete and open the surface for the application of Bone Dry Penetrating Concrete Sealers.

If you have a problem with your vapor barrier, Bone Dry Products provides concrete sealers with a chemical vapor barrier to mitigate moisture in concrete substances like garage floors, warehouses, basements and more. Our sealers fill capillaries and gaps, permanently blocking the transmission of moisture up through the concrete slab and preventing moisture issues.

Bone Dry concrete sealers are an affordable alternative to epoxy sealers and are simple to apply indoors or outdoors using a standard pressurized garden sprayer. With a curing time of just 6 hours, our range of moisture mitigation products offers permanent solutions for sealing both large commercial structures and residential spaces.

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Questions? Contact Bone Dry to learn which of our moisture mitigation products is right for your concrete floor.

Why Does Concrete Crack?

How to Prevent Concrete Cracks

  • Rapid Water Evaporation from the Concrete Surface: Moisture is a leading cause of concrete floors cracking and breaking. Our moisture mitigation products are the best way to prevent further cracking on your floors.
  • Poorly-Compacted Soil Underneath the Concrete: Soil beneath concrete floors can shift or move over time, causing the concrete to crack. Water pooling underground can also raise or lower the land beneath the content and affect the concrete’s stability. 
  • Concrete Shrinkage During Drying: Wide temperature fluctuations and weather patterns can influence how the cement dries and lead to cracking. 
  • Corrosion of Steel Bars Underneath Concrete: Oxidation of the steel bars used to reinforce the concrete can cause cracks to form. 
  • Consistently Exceeding the Concrete's Load Capacity: Prolonged pressure from heavy vehicles like semi-trucks can lead to cracks in concrete surfaces if the weight exceeds the concrete’s load limit. 

To prevent premature cracking in your concrete flooring, consider using Bone Dry's sealers and moisture mitigation products, designed to protect your floors and extend their lifespan. 

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How Do You Prevent Concrete Cracking?

The best way to prevent cracks is to take every possible precaution during the pouring process. When pouring concrete, consider:

  • Structural Design: Contraction, expansion and isolation joints need to be constructed at reasonable intervals beneath reinforced concrete. Proper width and spacing are essential for making concrete flooring as strong as possible.
  • Mixing Materials: Cement mixtures are strongest when not contaminated with foreign materials like clay or dirt. A larger amount of aggregate in the cement plays a crucial role in crack prevention, and a smaller amount of water in the concrete mixture can help reduce shrinkage.
  • Placement: A properly compacted subgrade (the ground beneath where the cement is being poured) is important for preventing cracks from occurring in concrete. A careful inspection of the subgrade is essential for preventing crack formation.
  • Finishing and Curing: Curing cement as quickly as possible helps make it stronger and reduces the risk of cracking. Using a dehumidifier can encourage the concrete to dry faster by reducing the dew point of the air surrounding the cement.

Bone Dry Products can help prevent cracking

Bone Dry concrete moisture mitigation products are water-based, penetrating sealers that produce a waterproof barrier deep within your concrete floor, preventing cracking and breaking within the cement. Unlike epoxies and other sealants, Bone Dry sealers are more versatile and up to four times more affordable, making them an easy-to-apply and cost-effective solution.

Use Bone Dry’s professional moisture mitigation products including our Original sealerEtch-A-Crete and EM Coating to help prevent cracking and create a long-lasting barrier against moisture, one of the leading causes of concrete cracking and deterioration.

 

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Contact the concrete moisture mitigation professionals at Bone Dry today to learn more about our products.

How does BONE DRY seal concrete?

Bone Dry penetrates below the surface of the concrete slab using a blend of products to react, solidify, and fill the pores below the surface of the concrete. This creates a barrier beneath the surface of the slab while the concrete surface remains unchanged. The result is a sealed concrete slab which protects surface coatings from concrete moisture and a concrete surface which allows surface coatings to bond as they normally would to any concrete slab.  

Why does BONE DRY work better than other so-called penetrating sealers?

The secret to effectively sealing concrete with any silicate based material is to get the silicate to access as much of the free lime and alkali present within all concrete.

How is BONE DRY applied?

For large areas, low pressure airless backpack spray equipment is very efficient. For medium sized jobs, a simple hand pumped garden type sprayer can be used. Bone Dry can also be applied with a brush or roller in confined areas.

How long do I have to wait before I can walk on the concrete slab after BONE DRY has been applied?

You can work on the slab almost immediately. This creates minimal downtime on your job. Be careful as the concrete will be slippery.

Are there any temperature minimums or maximums for the concrete?

Yes. Bone Dry should be applied to clean, damp concrete at temperatures ranging from above freezing (40 degrees recommended) up to a maximum of about 90 degrees for a minimum 24 hour period.

Is BONE DRY compatible with all adhesives and skim coatings for both carpet VCT and wood floor adhesives?

Yes, Bone Dry is compatible with all types of skim coatings and adhesives.

How soon after the concrete is poured/finished may your product be applied?

There are many variables when applying Bone Dry to green concrete. Please contact us to discuss your project.

What effect does temperature play with respect to how well the Bone Dry will work?

As sealing concrete with Bone Dry is a chemical reaction, one could expect that this process would be retarded by cold and freezing temperatures. Although the reaction may take somewhat longer in cold temperatures, the resultant seal will be every bit as effective as when the material is applied during average temperatures.

Will the product work faster or create a dryer slab if the temperature is above a certain threshold?

"Room temperature" would be ideal and the product will work a little faster under these conditions; but no, the concrete will not be dryer. The Bone Dry has a voracious affinity for the calcium hydroxide and will find it regardless of the temperature, aside from freezing, as we explained above.

How is BONE DRY packaged?

Bone Dry products are packaged in one and five gallon pails and 55 gallon drums. 

Can Mold Grow on Concrete?

Yes, moisture can cause mold and bacteria to grow on concrete substrates. Mold can slowly grow on concrete floors, compromising the strength and durability of the surface. Mold can also trigger allergy symptoms in anyone spending significant amounts of time in those areas. 

How does mold grow on concrete? 

Mold does not feed on the concrete itself, it feeds on the moisture, algae, salt, pollen, dirt, dust and other particles trapped inside the concrete substrates. Conditions favorable for mold include:

  • Humid Weather: Concrete itself is not an insulator, but airborne moisture will condense on the surface of the concrete and cause mold growth. Environments with a high relative humidity (RH) tend to grow more mold and bacteria.
  • Ground Water Intrusion: Concrete floors in basements and garages may become saturated with groundwater. Without proper drainage, floors collect moisture and become a breeding ground for mold and bacteria.
  • Poor Ventilation: Inadequate ventilation causes moisture to condense and mold growth on the concrete floor. Particularly during winter, wet cold air in the home can hold more moisture than warm air and create suitable conditions for mold growth.

Mold requires moisture, nutrients and a suitable surface to grow, and concrete floors can provide the perfect environment. Addressing the underlying issues is critical to preventing and mitigating mold growth on concrete surfaces.

Prevent Mold Growth with Bone Dry Products

Excess moisture in concrete floors creates an ideal breeding ground for mold and bacteria, leading to potential health risks and structural damage. Bone Dry Products’ line of penetrating concrete sealers provides an effective solution to mitigate moisture and prevent mold growth. Our products are essential when finishing concrete with moisture-sensitive materials like vinyl, paint, wood, VCT or carpeting.

Bone Dry Plus combines the benefits of our high-quality penetrating sealers with added antimicrobial protection, making it particularly useful for buildings in moisture-prone industries like healthcare and food production. By applying Bone Dry Plus to new or existing concrete slabs, you create a chemical vapor barrier to block moisture from reaching the surface, while the antimicrobial formula inhibits the growth of mold and bacteria.Can Mold Grow on Concrete

Other benefits of Bone Dry Plus include:

  • Permanent Waterproofing
  • Concrete Strengthening
  • Surface Dust Prevention
  • Odorless
  • Cost-Effective
  • Easy to Apply
  • Fast Curing Time

Contact us today to get the best penetrating concrete sealer and prevent mold and mildew growth on your concrete floors.

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Use Bone Dry Pro for Your Flooring Project

If you’re looking for a high-quality penetrating concrete sealer, all you need to do is call Bone Dry and let us know the square footage, whether the slab is hard troweled, new or existing, and what type of flooring you want to install. We’ll supply the products you need to have your floor installed quickly and easily.

 

 

Contact the best concrete sealing experts at Bone Dry today!

Can Bone Dry be applied over existing coatings?

No, Bone Dry products are intended to be used on uncoated surfaces and will not penetrate existing coatings. Any existing coatings must be removed before Bone Dry coatings can be applied.

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Can Bone Dry be applied on both vertical and horizontal surfaces?

Yes. Bone Dry Sealer can be applied on both horizontal and vertical surfaces. If the sealer is being applied to CMU walls, Bone Dry Primer must be applied first.

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Is it safe to apply Bone Dry in interior spaces?

Yes, Bone Dry products are non-toxic and can be applied to both interior and exterior surfaces. Ensure proper ventilation to avoid eye and throat irritation. Respiratory masks are not required unless in a confined space with little or no ventilation.

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Does Bone Dry clean up with soap and water or solvents?

Bone Dry products are water-soluble. Clean hands and tools with soap and water. To clean Bone Dry coatings from surfaces, flush with plenty of warm water.

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Do I need to prime with Bone Dry primer before using Bone Dry topcoats?

No. Bone Dry Primer is only necessary when sealing CMU walls.

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Have questions?

Have questions about Bone Dry products? Click on a question to expand our answer. Do not hesitate to contact us directly at info@bonedryproducts.com or 262.694.9748

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