FIRM FOUN
Jason Spangler, Wagner Meters’ Flooring Division Manager, ou for the installation of
All concrete subfloors contain a substantial amount of moisture. After the initial pour of the concrete floor slab, commercial contractors and installers must allow time for the subfloor to dry sufficiently prior to installing and/or applying the finished floor product. If this isn’t done, significant moisture-related damage may occur.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOUR
CONCRETE SLAB IS TOO WET? When your concrete slab is too wet you can expect problems with flooring adhesives. This is because when the moisture in the slab rises to the surface it brings along with it soluble alkalis that raise the surface pH level. This causes flooring adhesives to break down and as a result, the floorcovering could delaminate. In the case of wood flooring, excess moisture could also cause swelling and cupping.
THE BEST WAY TO TEST
CONCRETE MOISTURE Doing an accurate concrete moisture test is obviously important in order to prevent flooring failures that could cost you money and hurt your reputation.
However, all tests are not created equal. Despite its long history, there’s no science or research showing that the calcium chloride test (F1869) produces accurate results. The test only measures the top 1-2cm of the slab. However,
28 | SUBFLOOR PREPARATION
moisture exists deeper in the substrate, and when it rises to the surface and can’t evaporate because the slab has been covered, it will cause a flooring failure.
”Moisture in the slab can cause the breakdown of adhesives and lead to the delamination of floorcoverings.“
In contrast, in situ probe testing (ASTM F2170) has been proven by research to be an accurate method for testing concrete moisture. Wagner Meters’ Rapid RH concrete moisture test, with integrated data storage, makes performing in situ testing easy and cost-effective.
THE IMPORTANCE OF EVALUATING
THE SUBFLOOR Evaluating the concrete subfloor to be sure it’s flat is an important step in the floor prepping process. This is because even when a concrete subfloor is poured well by professionals,
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