Pole Barn Question?

[rswyan]

rswyan,To be honest I didnt think there would be any moisture in the building to need any venting and the contrator said I didnt need any just to let the concrete cure and it would be fine after that.

Fair enough .... I'm still working on finishing mine and learn something new all the time. :thumbsup:

 

[rswyan]

You are not still staying off the floor are you? I remember that 7 days and 28 days were milestones in the curing process, just do not remember for what. rswyan might ring back in here with that info.

Seems your memory is about like mine ....

Just takin' a stab here: stay off of it for 7 days, and avoid driving on it (with a vehicle) for 28 days ..... ?

Or could be ... avoid driving on it for 7 days ... and keep it from freezing for 28 .... ?

:confused3:

Are you sure that the mold that you see is mold? and that it developed after framing. I'm no expert there either but have seen many hacks of new lumber with that white strungy ish stuff on brand new (supposed to be) KD lumber. It might be worth it to get a moisture meter and check the wood.

I've picked up PT lumber at the big box stores that was so wet it would actually have water ooze out of it every time you sunk a nail in it ....

In any event I don't think that a "pole" bldg will ever be "tight" enough for a long term indoor moisture problem. Relax - air it out.

Yeah ... give it a week or two in temps of 80F or more and I'll bet alot of that moisture goes away ...

 

[Highbeam]

Concrete can be dry and concrete can be cured. They are not the same thing. As long as concrete still has sufficient moisture it will continue to cure, and gain strength, forever. As soon as it dries, the reaction stops and no additional strength is being gained. So for max strength, keep it wet.

Why haven't you sealed your floor? Seal the moisture in and the concrete will continue to cure, but the moisture won't leave the concrete. Humidity will still condense on a cold slab now and always.

If you choose to not seal the floor then you have to ventilate the building until the slab dries out.

Sealed floors look way better. Clear sealer is my preference.