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Concrete Moisture Testing Best Practice

Reducing Concrete Moisture-Related Claims Through Best Practices

October 18, 2024

 

Testing of subfloors to ensure thoroughly dry surfaces exist is a critical stage to any floor covering installation and has been the source of much debate over the years regarding which tests to use, who performs them and when. These are common questions that need to be answered.

 

Testing has always been a warranty requirement and an important concern.

 

Manufacturers typically call for one or both of two common test methods, the RH In-situ Drill Test (ASTM F2170) and the Anhydrous Calcium Chloride Test (ASTM F1869), that must be performed in accordance with ASTM instructions/standards.

 

But do these tests confirm conditions are dry enough to avoid moisture-related problems?

 

According to many technical people in our industry and the growing dollar figure associated with moisture-related failures in North America, it would seem not!

 

Also, where is mention of the critically important electrical impedance test (ASTM F2659)?

 

In January 2023, NFCA assembled a committee of more than 65 industry professionals and subject experts who were invited to participate in an 19 month long deep dive into this topic. The result is a comprehensive best practice document that will help guide everyone involved in a floor covering installation through the process of correct concrete moisture testing.

 

We are making this document available at no cost.

 

With this information, we hope this will go a long way to reducing claims and turning that billion-dollar figure around.

You can access this best practice document below:

Concrete Moisture Testing Best Practice

Download File

 

 

 

 

​Thank you to the following industry professionals who contributed their time and expertise on this committee.

A special thanks to Keith Robinson for the hundreds of volunteer hours spent accumulating and sorting through the findings of the committee and issuing numerous drafts for review before penning the final document.

Aaron Abbott (LATICRETE)
John Alley (Custom Building Products)
Andrew Bakeman (Walker Consultants)
Gary Aukstakalnis (Biyork Flooring)
Bob Bates (Tarkett)
Gavin Beck (Beaulieu Canada)
Mark Bevacqua (BCRCC)
Chuck Boutall (Restoration Technical Institute)
Dennis Bradway (Mannington Mills Inc.)
Mark Bunz (Dinoflex)
Bruce Burton (New Generation Concrete)
Woody Belflower (Shaw Inc)
Chad Bulen (Bostik)
Adrian Caicedo (Ardex Americas)
Russell Cleveland (Milliken)
Dean Craft (ISE Logik Industries)
Mike Doyle (Biyork Floors)
Joshua Esposita (Nora systems)
Anthony Falknor (Mannington Mills Inc.)
Jesse Forest (Gerflor)
Julian Forsyth (Oasis Inspection Services)
Andrew Fronczek (Inspector Training Services)
John Geier (Bostik)
Martin Gingras (Les BMB Distribution)

Dan Grona (Primco)
Dave Hamilton (Uzin Utz)
Morkos Hanes (LaFarge Cement)
Pierre Hebert (Sika)
Robert Higgins (RC Consulting)
Reggie Hill (Floor Covering Services & Consultants Inc.)
Bob Hunter (Milliken)
Marc Ilgenfritz (Nora)
Jeff Jensen (British Columbia Regional Council of Carpenters)
Brent Johnsen (MAPEI)
Lloyd Keller (Ellis Don)
Drew Kern (Infinity Claims Management Solutions)
Chad Kinner (Mohawk)
John Kirec (The Flooring Company)
Jon Kronemeyer (Biyork Floors)
Danny Lavallie (Forbo)
Marie-Josee Lavigne (Les BMB Distribution)
Erik Lundgren (Bona)
Jim Mannes (Shaw Inc.)
Larry Marvel (Tarkett)
Jared Mathusek (Empire Today)
Lew Migliore (LGM & Associates Floor Covering Consultants)
Brett Miller (National World Flooring Association)
Peter Miseros (Sika)

Bryan Morin (Centura Tile)
Eric Morrisette (Ardex Americas)
Barrett Morton (Shaw Inc)
John Loupelle (Altro Ltd.)
Carrell Nabrasson (Engineered Flooring)
Kjell Nymark (National Wood Flooring Association)
Cam Overacker (Primco Ltd.)
Seth Pevarnik (Ardex Americas)
Josh Paradine-Esposito (Nora Systems Inc.)
Steve Philips (MAST Partners LLC)
Keith Robinson (Dialog – RET)
Graeme Rosen, NFCA
Nancy Roy (Beaulieu Canada)
Heather Ruhl (HB Fuller)
Scott Rust (Erv Parent)
Gary Scheidker (Taylor Adhesives)
Kirk Schutz (PCL Constructors)
Clayton Shull (Flooring Forensics Consultant)
Don Styka (Tarkett)
Eric Thorson (Nora Systems)
William White (Custom Building Products)
Stacia Van Zetton (Exact Technology)
Jacco Vlaar (Gerflor)
Steven Weisenberg (Regupol)
Will White (Custom Building Products)
Eric Yip (Biyork)

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