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Need Help With Concrete Floor

 
Posts: 131
Location: SW Tennessee Zone 7a average rainfall 52"
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I am converting a room in my large barn (probably intended to be a feed/tack room) into living space. The walls are concrete block and the floor is what seems to be poured concrete with various sized pebbles/rock embedded in it. I have insulated and finished off the walls. I'm having trouble with the floor.

Whatever one is supposed to do to keep moisture from coming up through the concrete, the original builder did not do it. The floor is always damp. Anything on the floor (rugs, dog bed, etc.) will quickly grow mildew under it if not taken up often to air it out. Let's not talk about what's going on with my sofa.

Is there anything a woman alone on a small fixed income can do about this, or do I just resign myself to dismantling my house every other day to air things out? Thanks in advance for your help!
 
gardener
Posts: 501
Location: Victor, Montana; Zone 5b
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Yes, you can cut down on the moisture level by getting the floor as dry as possible, cleaning it really well and putting down a concrete sealer. That will fill the pores and not allow moisture up through the material and into your furniture. Not very expensive. Get a nice respirator mask for doing it though.
 
Ferne Reid
Posts: 131
Location: SW Tennessee Zone 7a average rainfall 52"
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Thank you! I had read somewhere that sealer is only effective if the concrete is new. I'm glad to hear that's not the case! This is why I come here ... you guys know everything.
 
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