Aci 302 1 guide for concrete floor and slab construction states that the minimum thickness of an effective vapor barrier is 10 mils.
Concrete slab vapor barrier.
A concrete vapor barrier is simply a sheet of polyethylene plastic visqueen placed directly on top of the sub grade before the concrete floor or slab is poured to help keep moisture from the soil from passing up through the concrete.
A vapor barrier is an impermeable membrane primarily used to resist water vapor transmission from the soil to the concrete slab.
It needs to dry and then stay dryto avoid flooring problems.
The term vapor barrier is often used interchangeably with the term vapor retarder to describe all membranes used to resist water vapor transmission.
Vapor barriers have been associated with certain concrete slab on grade problems including curling and cracking.
A concrete vapor barrier is any material that prevents moisture from entering a concrete slab.
But they have also proven to be beneficial in reducing failures of moisture sensitive flooring materials adhesives and coatings caused by excessive emission of moisture vapor from concrete slabs.
Vapor barriers are used because while fresh concrete is poured wet it s not supposed to stay that way.
Thinner plastic can t stand up to the abuse of construction.
Meadows underslab vapor barriers are ideal for use under concrete slabs that come in contact with soil.