Moisture Content - Cement Wall

[Allan]

Installing wall covering on a cement wall and must know the maximum moisture content for the wall in order to have a successful installation. Anyone have any advice?

[Chris Murphy]

Above or below grade? Newly poured or existing? In other words, why are you worried about the moisture content? You could use a primer specifically made for moisture problems in concrete, and then use a wallcovering primer. Any substrate that has migrating moisture in it will presents a problem that may not be able to be solved with a coating.

[blauvelt]

One thing I could never figure is that there are all kinds of products available to prepare walls for paper. Yet, have a little scrap piece fall on the dirty old dusty concrete floor and if you don't pick it up before it dries you'll need a bucket of water and a scrapper to get it off.

[Eunice, PRS Reporter]

What type of material are you installing? I've done 54" vinyl a few times on skimmed concrete around elevator shafts in buildings, and you need to use a low moisture adhesive if you're in that situation. I've had HD clear pop up into dozens of coin sized blisters and then crystallize if they dry, especially on a backing that has a high polyester content. Clay is better, or dry hang.