Relative Humidity Testing of Concrete Floors
Welch Engineering, LLC provides concrete floor moisture testing using the solid state digital Wagner Rapid RH test equipment.
A major change has taken place in the flooring industry. Because adhesives with low concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOC) have replaced most older solvent based formulations, the need for accurate moisture testing of concrete slabs has become critical to help prevent flooring installation failure and litigation.
For years the flooring industry used the Anhydrus Calcium Chloride test to measure the moisture vapor emission rate (MVER) for determining the relative humidity (RH) of a concrete slab.
This method of testing, which has no documented scientific basis, became the industry accepted test method for the last 45 years. Recent scientific studies have determined that Calcium Chloride Testing can be unreliable. Results can provide both false high and low humidity measurements due to the many uncontrolled variables used to construct the concrete slab. The fact of the matter is that Calcium Chloride Testing does not accurately determine the true MVER of concrete and there are no practical ways to calibrate the test kits.
To accurately measure the moisture the moisture content of a concrete slab the relative humidity (RH) must be measure near the center of the slab thickness using instruments that are independently calibrated to National Standards and by following ASTM Test Standard F2170-09.
By measuring relative humidity using the ASTM standard F2170-09, a better view of the actual moisture content of the concrete is more accurately measured , which is not dependent on the concrete mix, thickness of the slab or surface conditions.
Flooring manufacturers’ installation instructions specify the relative humidity ranges for the proper installation of their products . Because of this critical measurement, proper RH testing must be performed and documented by a reputable testing firm, like Welch Engineering, to ensure manufacturer’s warranties can be enforced.
Welch Engineering, LLC has been in the residential and commercial testing business for years including testing for Cathodic Protection, Radon, mold, PH and relative humidity. Because the firm has registered engineers and attorneys on staff, you can be assured your testing needs can be accomplished.
Welch Engineering staff uses the Wagner Rapid RH Testing System (www.rapidrh.com) for fast accurate testing of concrete floors in accordance with ASTM Standards. Relative humidity test can be taken quickly for any size slab and each Rapid RH Smart Sensor is pre-calibrated.
