Some Myths About Concrete Moisture Testing You Must Break

If you’re in the building and construction industry and have a huge project underway, you must know the importance of a concrete floor moisture test. It lets you know if old, new, on-ground, and suspended concrete slabs are dry or not. Even though they appear dry, checking from within is still better to make sure. It will prevent you from making a substantial financial loss if accidents or issues arise, such as mold and mildew growth, because the concrete still has moisture locked in. Furthermore, there are some myths which you should un-believe. The sure way to know if the concrete slab is completely dry is through a concrete moisture test only.

Three Myths Surrounding Concrete & Moisture

Find out three myths that people not in the industry believe. It’s best to be sure, instead of just assuming, especially when it comes to concrete slabs for a big client of yours.

concrete floor moisture test

The slab is dry just because the concrete surface looks like it

The first common myth many people get wrong is believing that the concrete slab is dry because the surface looks and feels dry. Numerous studies and research has proved time and time again that the surface of the slab isn’t an indicator to assume that the concrete is already dry. It comes in different moisture levels, and you should always check through a concrete moisture test if you want to ensure it. Many variables are in play, such as air movement, ambient temperature and relative humidity (RH), and troweling techniques. So the surface doesn’t perfectly represent that the whole slab is dry.

All floor products have the same moisture tolerances

Long ago, flooring adhesives and flooring materials were more consistent in their moisture tolerances because most products had a petroleum-derived base in their compositions. But it’s worth noting that formulations began to change for different applications. It became increasingly essential that concrete slabs under the flooring installations were dry to avert moisture-related problems down the road. For instance, one example of formulation changes is that the industry has focused on lowering the volatile organic compounds in adhesives, flooring products, etc. Therefore, the tolerances also changed regarding prolonged and elevated moisture conditions. So it varies from adhesive product to the next.

Old concrete is dry

Just because the concrete slab has been on the property for many years doesn’t mean it’s dry. Many factors can increase the moisture level within the concrete slab, such as recent flooding, leaking pipes, and rising water table. Unfortunately, you will need to remedy these situations by removing the old flooring system. But sometimes, you may miscalculate and instantly new flooring systems because you failed to realize the problem. Apart from that, older concrete and flooring systems are products used in decades past and were inherently more moisture-resistant than many of the products on the market today. So the moisture tolerances are different, which requires more awareness on your part.