Why Test?

It is estimated that floor covering failures in the US amount to over a billion dollars a year to cover repair, replacement, downtime and damages. Many rapid changes are occurring within the construction industry, including but not limited to:

  • Fast track construction schedules
  • Increased use of natural materials
  • The loss of asbestos as an ingredient in resilient flooring
  • The loss of solvents from adhesive and coating systems
  • Increased use of water to allow easier placement of concrete
  • Absorptive aggregate in lightweight concrete

Concrete moisture and alkalinity problems are the biggest obstacles facing what would otherwise be successful flooring installations on concrete slabs. Some of the problems and costs associated with installing moisture-sensitive floor coverings over a concrete subfloor with high moisture and alkalinity (pH) content include:

  • Adhesive breakdown and emulsifications, debonding, oozing / bleeding
  • Flooring and underlayment expansion, peaking, curling, bubbling, gapping/seam separation
  • Alkali attack, efflorescence, staining
  • Microbial growth, mold, mildew, fungi
  • Damage to fixtures, walls, ceilings
  • Indoor air quality (IAQ) and “sick building syndrome” issues
  • Lost time and productivity of building staff
  • Downtime for repair and/or replacement of floor covering, concrete subfloor and/or underlayment and fixtures
  • All concrete slabs receiving resilient floor covering, carpet tiles, wood flooring or other applicable products, regardless of their age or grade level. This includes areas where these products have been previously installed.
  • Moisture testing is an essential part of determining the suitability of a concrete slab to receive resilient floor covering or wood flooring.
  • Flooring and adhesive manufacturer’s installation guidelines ALWAYS require testing to meet acceptable moisture emission and/or relative humidity levels and pH limits in order for their warranties to apply.

Any non-breathable floor covering such as vinyl, rubber sheet goods, plastic backed carpeting, wood, etc. The following is a guide only. The product list includes but is not limited to the following products and is to be used for reference only. Always refer to the individual manufacturer’s recommendations and requirements.

  • Resilient flooring, such as vct, sheet vinyl, linoleum, rubber products, luxury vinyl tile or solid vinyl tile, conductive & static dissipative tile, cork flooring, etc.
  • Hardwood flooring
  • Carpet tiles
  • Broadloom carpets that have plastic or thermal plastic backings
  • Epoxy Coatings

Contact us for free written estimates on all of your concrete testing needs.

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