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Concrete slabs appear to be hard and solid, yet in reality, concrete is porous stuff and moist. It starts as a liquid slime of water, cement, sand, and aggregate. Since concrete is porous, it can soak up and transfer ground moisture even after it hardens. While this quality of concrete doesn’t much affect outdoor applications, it matters on indoors. Especially, once you plan to install residential flooring on the concrete slab. This is why it is an amazing idea to do a moisture test. A concrete floor moisture test is necessary for flooring professionals, yet many assumptions and mistakes may increase the risk of issues going forward with moisture in your concrete.
Before you coat concrete, you need to test the concrete for moisture, especially horizontal surfaces. These tests are designed mainly for new concrete slabs, yet can be used on current slabs too. Especially, once applicators are unsure if a vapor/ moisture barrier exists.
Understand what a Moisture Testing is
Installation of flooring systems than concrete slabs is typical in construction, giving a robust flooring system. Yet, installing a concrete slab with more than particular moisture content usually leads adhesive to failure. Floorcoverings deform, and screeds blow that need costly replacement of the whole flooring system. Concrete moisture testing will let you know the condition of your subfloor. As needed by Australian Standards, this is to protect you against moisture related to failures in flooring.
Importance of testing concrete for moisture
While concrete frequently appears hard and dry, it’s full of moisture, since it starts as a liquid. Moisture last to pass through the concrete for years which will affect the floors. Moisture that is trapped produces havoc that you do not need:
- Moisture is favorable to the growth of mildew and mold
- Moisture may degrade or rot the organic flooring materials such as engineered wood, bamboo, solid hardwood, or cork.
- Moisture can cause various types of flooring to warp, bow, or bubble.
You don’t need to operate into any issues in your commercial facility. Thus, the concrete must be tested appropriately and by professionals.
Steps to conduct a Moisture test on Concrete
- Cut the plastic sheeting
- Cut clear plastic sheeting into 24×24-inch squares, you must ensure the plastic has no tears or holes.
- Sealed the plastic
- Spread every plastic square out flat over a dry area of concrete. Tape along four edges of the square with waterproof tape or duct tape. Press the tape firmly to produce a moisture-tight seal with concrete and plastic. Use many squares needed to test the major areas that may get flooring.
- Examine the Plastic
- Wait for 48 hours, then check every plastic square.
- Dry the Room and Test Again (this is still optional)
