ON THE BALL Top flooring tips from F. Ball and Co. Ltd.
Stephen Boulton, F. Ball and Co. Ltd.’s Technical Service Manager discusses the importance of subfloor moisture testing.
Subfloor moisture and the problems associated with it is an issue that must be taken into account prior to undertaking any flooring installation. Fittings should not proceed until a subfloor has been appropriately tested for excess subfloor moisture and, if necessary, steps have been taken to treat the problem. Failure to do so could lead to unsightly blistering or warping of the floorcoverings, and even complete failure of the flooring installation.
THE IMPORTANCE OF
MOISTURE TESTING It is now required under building regulations that all newbuilds incorporate a structural damp proof membrane. Buildings erected prior to 1965, however, were not subject to this legislation, meaning that high levels of subfloor moisture may be present in these buildings and should always be tested prior to the installation of new floorcoverings. Buildings that have been compromised by a leak, or rooms that are likely to come into contact with water such as kitchens and bathrooms, even if they are not on ground floor level, should also be examined for moisture.
It is important to remember that newbuilds are also susceptible to moisture, in the form of residual construction moisture. The drying time of a new sand/cement screed in a new build is estimated at 1mm per
16 | TIP OF THE MONTH
however, this test identifies that there is moisture in the subfloor, the subfloor must be more thoroughly examined and tested to determine whether the moisture levels are high enough to require treatment, before the installation can continue.
To obtain an accurate assessment of subfloor moisture levels, a calibrated digital hygrometer
day up to a thickness of 50mm, and concrete at a thickness of 150mm can take considerably longer - usually a year or more - to dry out naturally. To combat this, a waterproof surface membrane can be used to speed up the installation by creating a barrier to moisture, after which floorcoverings can be safely installed.
HOW TO TEST FOR
MOISTURE Even though a subfloor may appear to be dry, this does not mean that there is not moisture present. Visual inspection alone is not adequate, and tests should be carried out to accurately determine whether or not there is moisture in the subfloor.
In the first instance, a radio frequency moisture meter, such as a Protimeter MMS2, can be used to provide a quick indication of the presence of moisture. If this initial test indicates that no moisture is present, the flooring installation can proceed as planned, with no additional steps required. If,
should be used. This provides a non- invasive method of directly measuring the moisture levels in the subfloor by taking a reading of the relative humidity (RH). Measurements should be taken at a number of different points on the floor, and once the air inside of the meter is in equilibrium with the surrounding air, a final reading can be taken.
If the reading indicates RH levels below 75%, the floor is considered sufficiently dry to receive floorcoverings and no additional steps need be taken. If, however, the reading is above 75% (or 65% where wood floorcoverings are to be installed, which are particularly sensitive to moisture), a waterproof surface membrane must be applied. Steps should be taken to identify the most appropriate product for the installation. There are various options available on the market to tackle excess subfloor moisture that are able to cater to the specific requirements of each project.
www.f-ball.co.uk www.tomorrowscontractfloors.com
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