Problems involving water and water-vapor migration through a concrete slab on ground can affect a variety of flooring materials. Wood, carpeting, vinyl composite tile, seamless resilient flooring, and coatings such as urethanes and epoxies can experience both aesthetic and functional failures, ranging from staining and mold growth to buckling and loss of adhesion.
Four case histories are presented to illustrate the possible sources of excess moisture: concrete mixing water, leaks, water-vapor pressure, and exposure conditions (for exterior slabs).
For each case history, investigative procedures and failure analysis are described.