Moisture Mitigation Systems

Hydrostatic pressure (in Concrete) is a term that is often used when excess moisture has created problems with concrete slabs and connected flooring systems. However, it is not as generic a term as people in the industry often think. At Surface2Surface, we offer moisture mitigation systems to help you avoid these issues.

What is Hydrostatic Pressure in concrete?

At its simplest, hydrostatic pressure is the pressure created by standing or resting (“static”) water (“hydro”). Hydrostatic pressure is the force the water in the soil exerting upward force beneath a foundation. This condition is directly related to the forces of buoyancy. Buoyancy is the power of a fluid to exert an upward force on a body placed in it. It is also defined as “the upward force exerted by a liquid”. Since concrete is a porous material, hydrostatic pressure is the pressure of water being forced into the concrete from beneath related to the forces of buoyancy.
While newer high-strength concrete mix designs can resist higher levels of pressure than older mixture designs, hydrostatic pressure conditions may still cause issues with any coating or overlay system no matter the concrete mix design. Hydrostatic pressure is a natural force that can literally move rocks, buckling walls, and cause havoc with your concrete. However, it does not explain every instance of water intrusion condition in concrete.

What Causes Hydrostatic Pressure?

Hydrostatic pressure is a result of groundwater pushing against your foundation or concrete substrate, the pressure beneath the concrete originating from natural water tables ebbs and flows with the seasons. Therefore, the problem could get worse during rainy months as the soil becomes over-saturated and get better during dry months when there is little to no groundwater applying pressure to your foundation.
Normally this happens in basement floors, floors below water tables or anywhere a continuous presence subterranean water source exists. The more water… the more pressure you’ll have

The Surface2Surface Solution

It may seem hard to believe but, 1 out of every 5 flooring projects will experience a moisture-related failure during the first 12 months of service life. Hydrostatic head pressure and moisture vapor drive failure of floor coatings and coverings do not discriminate. From the smallest most economical project to the largest most extravagant, moisture vapor drive will cause failure in 20% or more of projects.
Flooring contractors and property owners worldwide are spending millions upon millions of dollars and time attempting to correct a problem that could have been prevented from conception. Most contractors will not even accept a project that exhibits even the slightest evidence of a moisture or vapor drive issue.
The fact is, for many years unlimited attempts have been made to try and rectify this colossal problem.
Another well-established problem with concrete is having a contractual deadline to meet and yet having to wait 30 to 60 days or more to coat or cover newly placed concrete. Penalty costs are very high when completion time requirements are not met.
Surface2Surface has conquered these age-old problems with our effective moisture mitigation systems. When you discover a floor with moisture problems you can now, with all confidence, stop the moisture drive and install any type of covering or coating.

As part of the Surface2Surface Dealership network, we are exclusive providers S2S Global products. When it comes to unique integral concrete protection, stabilization, and moisture mitigation, S2S Global offers the most comprehensive and unique product on the market. S2S Global LLC manufactures products that are formulated, blended, and stored in one of the cleanest environmentally enhanced facilities in America. Under some of the highest standards in the industry, S2S Global produces products that protect and extend the service life of concrete, stone, steel and even wood.
Our amazing MMT-5000 offers benefits that far exceed any product on the market and sets Surface2Surface apart from other moisture mitigation systems. Here are just a few of the amazing benefits that MMT-5000 has to offer

• 100% Green and environmentally friendly
• Permanently, integrally seals concrete
• Penetrates walls and floors 3″-6″
• Allows necessary vapor transmission
• Preserves matrix integrity
• Increases surface abrasion resistance
• Excellent pre-treatment for coating systems
• Changes densifies and hardens concrete
• Stays pliable, allowing concrete to breathe
• Adds density and bonding strength
• Waterproofs
• Resists freeze-thaw spall off
• Increases thermal resistance
• Preserves embedded steel
• Retards or halts alkali-silica reactivity
• Nontoxic
• No voc/vos content
• Makes ice removal easier
• Clean equipment using only water
• Retards dusting and pitting
• Neutralizes internal corrosives
• Protects floor treatments
• Prevents migratory contamination transfer caused by moisture propagation

S2S GLOBAL MMT-5000 Moisture Mitigation system offers a proven solution to water migration in concrete. It is an effective treatment that is aqueous-borne, deep penetrating, sub-surface densifying, and molecular bonding. MMT-5000 is a permanent, penetrating clear treatment/preservative/sealant solution for new or existing pneumatically applied or poured concrete. MMT-5000 will seal the matrix and significantly preserve its embedded steel. MMT-5000 has a highly reactive catalytic agent that reacts with free alkali and/or alkaline hydrates by internally producing a silica hydrogel that fills the pore spaces and the voids around aggregate blocking and internally preventing vapor transmission. Furthermore, residual internal alkali is converted to a neutral compound structure, reducing the potential for internal chemical reactions. The density of the concrete structure is significantly increased, and additional bonding strength is provided resulting in permanently, hydrostatically sealed internal matrix.

S2S GLOBAL MMT-5000 Moisture Mitigation system is an ideal product for concrete or other masonry surfaces that are to be coated with S2S Global or other products since it enhances the bonding quality of the surface. MMT-5000 prevents peeling, cracking and loss of bond caused by capillary moisture or internal chemical reactions. MMT-5000 will not alter the appearance of the surface or physical characteristics and will enhance surface traction quality, making it ideal for use on all new or existing concrete installations including bridges, decks, streets, airport runways, basements, parking garage decks, sidewalks, driveways, slabs, etc.

FREEZE THAW PROTECTION

The use of MMT-5000 will diminish the effects of freeze-thaw cycles and neutralizes existing internal corrosives such as acids and chlorides preventing internal chemical reactions. Also, MMT-5000 severely retards the rusting or corroding of embedded steel and will arrest or at least severely retard concrete being deteriorated by alkali-aggregate or alkali silicate reactivity. In addition, by treating concrete not yet affected, the potential will be virtually eliminated. S2S Global MMT-5000 prevents peeling, cracking and loss of bond caused by capillary moisture or internal chemical reactions that can cause saponification.

ASR PROTECTION (alkali silicate reactivity) S2S Global MMT-5000 will arrest or at least severely retard concrete being deteriorated by alkali-aggregate or alkali silicate reactivity, and the potential will be virtually eliminated. S2S Global MMT-5000 is spray applied to a MOIST surface from which any oil, grease or other contaminants have been completely removed.