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Moisture Mitigation

Products and strategies used to reduce moisture related coating failures often installed before primers and body coats.

Vapor Barriers

RH Control

Blister Prevention

Foundation Layer

Vapor Barriers

RH Control

Blister Prevention

Foundation Layer

Where It Fits

Primer Use

  • Best when: Moisture mitigation primers and vapor barriers are applied as the first layer on concrete slabs to block moisture vapor drive and prevent coating failures.
  • Watch out: Proper moisture testing (RH, MVER) is essential before specifying. The wrong primer chemistry or insufficient mil thickness will fail.

Build and Body Coat Use

  • Best when: Not usually. Moisture mitigation products are specialized primers and barriers, not structural build layers.
  • Watch out: These products do not add impact resistance or wear thickness. A proper build coat system must follow the moisture barrier.

Topcoat Use

  • Best when: Not usually. Moisture mitigation is always the foundation layer, never the finish layer.
  • Watch out: Topcoats applied over moisture barriers must be compatible with the specific barrier chemistry used.

Common Applications

Scenarios where moisture mitigation is critical to coating system success.

Industrial floors with vapor drive risk

Decorative floors where appearance can't risk blistering

Time sensitive projects where slabs aren't 'ideal'

Selection Checklist

Key questions to answer before specifying a moisture mitigation system

Moisture test results

Relative humidity (ASTM F2170) and moisture vapor emission rate (ASTM F1869) readings determine if mitigation is required and which products are suitable for the measured levels.

Timeline flexibility

Some moisture mitigation systems require longer cure times before overcoating. Fast track projects may need rapid set moisture barriers. Confirm the schedule accommodates the selected product.

Existing coatings and contamination

Previously coated or contaminated slabs may limit moisture mitigation options. Surface preparation must remove existing materials and expose clean concrete for the barrier to bond.

System compatibility

The moisture barrier must be compatible with the primer, build coats, and topcoats that follow. Incompatible chemistries can cause delamination or cure inhibition.