Duraguard Protective Coating Solutions
Commercial & Industrial Concrete Floor Systems & polishing
Durapoxy MVR — Moisture Vapor Remediation Epoxy Coating
100% Solids Moisture Vapor Barrier for Extreme Moisture Conditions
Moisture vapor is the leading cause of floor coating failure in commercial and industrial facilities. When moisture vapor transmission through a concrete slab exceeds what a standard primer or coating system can tolerate, the floor coating blisters, bubbles, and delaminates — sometimes within months of installation. Durapoxy MVR is Duraguard’s 100% solids moisture vapor remediation coating, engineered specifically for concrete slabs with extreme moisture conditions where standard primers and moisture-tolerant coatings are not sufficient. Applied directly to the slab as a standalone moisture vapor barrier, Durapoxy MVR handles relative humidity levels up to 98% — replacing the primer entirely and creating the sealed foundation that makes a durable floor coating possible even in the most moisture-affected environments. Installed by Duraguard Protective Coating Solutions throughout Wisconsin and Illinois since 1993, Durapoxy MVR is the solution when moisture is the problem.
What Is Moisture Vapor Remediation?
Concrete is not waterproof. Water vapor migrates upward through concrete slabs continuously — from the soil beneath slab-on-ground installations, from groundwater pressure in below-grade environments, and from moisture trapped in the slab during the original pour. This moisture vapor transmission (MVT) exerts pressure against any coating applied to the top surface of the slab.
When moisture vapor pressure exceeds what a coating system can withstand, the bond between the coating and the concrete fails. The result is blistering, bubbling, delamination, and complete coating failure — sometimes within weeks of installation on high-moisture slabs. Standard epoxy coatings, and even moisture-tolerant primers like Durapoxy 520, have limits on the moisture vapor levels they can handle.
Moisture vapor remediation is the process of applying a specialized barrier coating directly to the concrete slab that is specifically engineered to block moisture vapor transmission at extreme levels — preventing the vapor pressure from reaching and compromising the floor coating system above it.
Why Durapoxy MVR?
Handles Up to 98% Relative Humidity
Durapoxy MVR is engineered to perform on concrete slabs with relative humidity levels up to 98% — the most extreme moisture conditions encountered in commercial and industrial floor coating work. Where standard moisture-tolerant primers reach their limits, Durapoxy MVR provides the vapor barrier performance needed to make a durable floor coating possible.
Replaces the Primer — Simplifies the System
Durapoxy MVR is not applied in addition to a primer — it replaces the primer entirely. Applied directly to the prepared concrete slab as the first coat, Durapoxy MVR seals the substrate against moisture vapor transmission and provides the adhesion foundation for the finish system above it. The result is a simpler installation process without sacrificing moisture protection.
100% Solids — Maximum Film Density
Durapoxy MVR’s 100% solids formulation means every component of the mixed material becomes part of the cured barrier coat. With no solvents or water to evaporate away, the cured film is dense, continuous, and without the pinholes or shrinkage that compromise moisture barrier performance in lower-solids systems. Maximum film density means maximum moisture vapor resistance.
Direct-to-Slab Application
Durapoxy MVR bonds directly to prepared concrete in high-moisture conditions, creating a continuous vapor barrier across the entire slab surface. Once cured, the finish system — whether Durapoxy TC epoxy topcoat, Duraclad 903 urethane concrete, or another Duraguard finish coat — is applied directly over the cured MVR barrier.
Compatible With All Duraguard Finish Systems
Durapoxy MVR is compatible with the full range of Duraguard coating systems. Any finish coat that would normally go over a primer coat can go over cured Durapoxy MVR — making it a universal moisture vapor remediation solution regardless of what the finish system requires.
8 to 12 Hour Cure
Durapoxy MVR cures in 8 to 12 hours under normal conditions, keeping installation schedules on track even when moisture remediation adds a step to the system.
Where Durapoxy MVR Is Used
Below-Grade Floors and Basements
Below-grade concrete floors are in direct contact with soil moisture and groundwater pressure. Moisture vapor transmission in these environments is constant and often at levels that exceed what standard coatings can handle. Durapoxy MVR is the correct first coat for any below-grade floor coating installation where moisture testing confirms high vapor transmission levels.
Slab-on-Ground Industrial Floors
Industrial facilities built on slab-on-ground construction — especially older buildings or facilities in areas with high water tables — frequently have moisture vapor transmission levels that require remediation before a durable floor coating system can be installed. Durapoxy MVR addresses these conditions directly.
Facilities With Failed Floor Coatings Due to Moisture
When a previous floor coating has blistered, bubbled, or delaminated and moisture vapor is identified as the cause, Durapoxy MVR is the remediation step that makes the next installation last. Applying a standard system over a moisture-affected slab without addressing the vapor transmission guarantees the same failure will repeat.
Food and Beverage Processing Facilities
Food processing facilities with high-moisture environments, wash-down operations, and below-grade or slab-on-ground construction combine elevated ambient moisture with high vapor transmission slabs. Durapoxy MVR provides the vapor barrier foundation these installations require before a food-safe finish system is applied.
Warehouses and Distribution Centers
Large warehouse and distribution facilities with slab-on-ground construction in humid climates or near water sources frequently have elevated moisture vapor transmission. Durapoxy MVR protects the floor coating investment by eliminating moisture as a failure mechanism before the finish system is applied.
Any Installation Where Moisture Testing Indicates High MVT
The trigger for specifying Durapoxy MVR is moisture testing. Duraguard performs calcium chloride testing or relative humidity probe testing as part of every pre-installation site assessment. When results indicate moisture vapor transmission levels that exceed what standard primers can handle, Durapoxy MVR is specified as the first coat in the system.
Choosing the Right Moisture Solution — 520 vs. MVR
Duraguard offers two moisture-related primer solutions, each for a different level of moisture condition:
Durapoxy 520** is the water-based, moisture-tolerant primer for slabs with moderate moisture conditions. It penetrates and bonds in damp conditions where solvent-based primers cannot, and is the right choice when moisture is present but not at extreme levels.
Durapoxy MVR** is the heavy-duty moisture vapor remediation coating for extreme conditions — slabs with relative humidity up to 98%, active vapor transmission, and environments where 520 or any standard primer would not provide sufficient moisture protection. MVR replaces the primer entirely and is specified when moisture testing confirms conditions beyond what a standard moisture-tolerant primer can handle.
Duraguard determines which solution is correct through site assessment and moisture testing — not guesswork.
The Duraguard Installation Process
Moisture vapor remediation begins with accurate moisture testing. Duraguard performs on-site testing prior to every installation to measure relative humidity and moisture vapor emission rates in the slab. When results indicate MVR is required, the concrete is prepared by diamond grinding or shot blasting to open the surface profile before Durapoxy MVR is applied.
Once MVR has cured, the finish system is applied according to the specified sequence. Our installation crews understand the application requirements, coverage rates, and cure windows that ensure Durapoxy MVR performs as designed as a moisture vapor barrier.
We work around your production schedule, including nights and weekends, to minimize downtime during installation.
Service Area
Duraguard installs Durapoxy MVR moisture vapor remediation systems throughout southeastern Wisconsin and northern Illinois including Racine, Kenosha, Milwaukee, Waukesha, Waukegan, Gurnee, Libertyville, and surrounding areas.
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If your facility has a history of floor coating failure, visible moisture issues, or a below-grade or slab-on-ground concrete floor — contact Duraguard today for a free on-site assessment including moisture testing. We will evaluate your slab conditions, identify moisture vapor transmission issues, and specify the right remediation and finish system for your environment.
Call us at (833) 387-2482 or use our contact form to request your free evaluation.
Duraguard Protective Coating Solutions is proud to align with leading industry organizations that set the standard for flooring excellence and business integrity. We follow the guidelines and technical standards established by the International Concrete Repair Institute (ICRI), ensuring every project meets rigorous industry benchmarks. As an accredited member of the Better Business Bureau (BBB), we are committed to transparency, trust, and customer satisfaction. Duraguard is also recognized through Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC), reflecting our dedication to Wisconsin’s manufacturing and business community.