Moisture Content Of Concrete For Vinyl Flooring

A concrete floor seems like the perfect base for a vinyl floor installation.

Moisture content of concrete for vinyl flooring.

Moisture particularly in a concrete slab can come from a number of sources. Therefore it s advisable to have a floor tested for moisture content prior to installing flooring or moisture barriers. Installation should involve thoroughly preparing the concrete subfloor and checking for any water sources that might infiltrate the vinyl. A concrete floor with a too high moisture content can wreak havoc on a vinyl floor.

Therefore it is recommended to implement necessary. Astm f2170 in situ rh testing will give you the most reliable information to help you manage your flooring project successfully. If the slab does not have an adequate moisture barrier underneath moisture can wick up from ground sources in a continuous cycle. Moisture prior to installing rubber and or vinyl flooring.

A moisture barrier may or may not be needed to insure good adhesion of your vinyl floor so do your homework to avoid problems later on down the road. Moisture can be a problem when a floor that looks dry really isn t. Concrete moisture levels can affect flooring. Given the realities of moisture in concrete and the necessity of measuring the moisture condition of the concrete slab accurately only one clear conclusion exists.

Water is an inherent part of the hydration process of concrete. If the levels are suitable at that time flooring may be installed. Flooring installers check the moisture level of concrete at the time of installation. Because concrete is permeable ground moisture can slowly move upward in the form of vapor and adversely affect anything that rests on top of the concrete.

The majority of commercial and industrial buildings are constructed with a concrete substrate laid over prepared soil called slab on grade. A safe level of moisture in concrete for an outdoor walkway basketball courtyard or parking lot will be different from what s safe for interior applications such as putting a wooden flooring system over concrete or installing a building s superstructure. Floor covering manufacturers whether producers of tile wood carpet or high performance floor coatings publish the maximum allowable moisture content of the concrete over which their flooring products can be installed based on results of various astm. These problems are not only disrupting functions of the building due to maintenance operations but also costly.

However allowing excess moisture to leave the slab after it s poured is crucial to a successful flooring installation. Concrete slabs and floors can be excellent subfloor surfaces for tile and other floor coverings but too much moisture in the concrete can cause problems with flooring installations.