Moisture in a Concrete Subfloorįor moisture to accumulate between the concrete slab and the flooring, it needs to find its way to that middle layer. Make sure to use the most accurate concrete rh test from Wagner Meters.Ĭlick to watch and learn more about moisture problems between flooring and slab. Responsible moisture control (having accurate moisture measurements) starts with the concrete slab. Moisture control is often one of the most crucial, yet most overlooked, elements of any floor’s success over time. In extreme cases, excess moisture can lead to flaking or chipping of the grout which results in a complete grout or thin-set failure.Īre you seeing a theme yet? The real risk to a successful floor lies with the moisture that can accumulate within the layer between the concrete slab and the flooring itself.Īdhesives, floating floors, and grout or cementitious bonds are 3 common flooring materials that can run the risk of causing moisture-related problems. Remediation steps will be necessary to correct the problem. If the slab was not dried to the required specs before the tile was installed, the natural moisture migration of the drying concrete will impact the grout. Although they can possibly be in the ground beneath the slab, and seep into the concrete if no moisture barrier was installed. In the majority of cases, these minerals are actually part of the concrete slab mixture. The more porous the concrete or grout, the more likely efflorescence will appear. Since minerals don’t evaporate, they’re left behind on the floor surface as a visible residue. It’s the result of water-soluble minerals getting transported to the surface of the grout with the moisture as it evaporates away. The difficulty, of course, is that if the moisture barrier is compromised in any way, moisture from the slab beneath can still damage the flooring or finish.Įxcess moisture issues in a grouted tile or mosaic floor often appear as efflorescence, a whitish residue on the surface of the grout. For floating floors, manufacturers often recommend installing a moisture barrier between the subfloor and the floating floor to prevent moisture intrusion. In fact, floating floors are often recommended on projects where moisture risks are high with standard attached floor systems. Instead, the floor pieces “lock” together to become a cohesive unit that’s not as vulnerable to seasonal shifts, dimensional challenges, or other moisture-related issues.
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If the adhesive used to install the flooring does not have the correct moisture tolerance for the concrete subfloor, the entire installation can be at risk.įloating floor systems are attractive because they don’t need to be attached directly to the subfloor. Recent trends towards restricting volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in flooring adhesives have increased the number of moisture-sensitive adhesives used. Moisture-related adhesive failures are a problematic reality in the flooring business. Moisture-related damage to the flooring materials is possible.ģ Common Flooring Materials Run The Risk of Moisture-related Problems: The slab must also dry to a specified level of moisture before flooring materials can be installed on top of it. Once the slab is poured, the excess moisture must leave the slab in order to strengthen the concrete bond. However, allowing excess moisture to leave the slab after it’s poured is crucial to a successful flooring installation. Water is an inherent part of the hydration process of concrete. Industrial Hand-held Meter Buying Guide.Building Restoration and Inspection Professionals.Musical Instrument Manufacturer and Luthiers.Flooring, Millwork, Furniture and Cabinet Manufacturers.Wood Flooring Contractors and Installers.
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Free Guide to Avoiding Flooring Failures.Become a Wagner Meters Authorized Distributor.Why You Should Use Relative Humidity (RH) Testing.
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