Moisture Content Of Concrete For Laminate Flooring

Astm f2170 in situ rh testing will give you the most reliable information to help you manage your flooring project successfully.

Moisture content of concrete for laminate flooring.

The laminate floor padding cost is 0 12 to 0 15 12 to 15 cents per square foot. This is a fancy durable moisture proof and informal floor that makes good sense for basements especially. Before installation the moisture content of the subfloor should be within 4 percentage points of the new flooring fig. From the 1940s to today many contractors have relied on surface based methods for monitoring or evaluating relative humidity levels and moisture content.

Moisture meters can be used to check subfloors for water damage moisture content of wood subfloors prior to installing any flooring and if the hardwood is at the correct level for the subfloor. Failure to skip laminate subfloor moisture testing often results in laminate floor failures. Therefore it s advisable to have a floor tested for moisture content prior to installing flooring or moisture barriers. Always install basement carpet on top of a vapor impervious subfloor this will raise the temperature of the floor in winter make your carpet more pleasant to walk on and most importantly prevent humid air from cozying up to the concrete and triggering mold growth.

There are two types of moisture meters for wood subfloors. Concrete slab and wood subfloor both have moisture limits. To avoid these failures from occurring a variety of test methods are used to determine the amount of moisture in concrete before installing flooring. Because concrete is permeable ground moisture can slowly move upward in the form of vapor and adversely affect anything that rests on top of the concrete.

Moisture meters can be used by all flooring trades not just the hardwood installers. Concrete slabs and floors can be excellent subfloor surfaces for tile and other floor coverings but too much moisture in the concrete can cause problems with flooring installations. Moisture can be a problem when a floor that looks dry really isn t. Padding can be used with most floating laminate floor installation.

Given the realities of moisture in concrete and the necessity of measuring the moisture condition of the concrete slab accurately only one clear conclusion exists. Installing laminate flooring on concrete steps. If the moisture content between the new flooring and subflooring varies more than 4 percentage points or 2 for boards wider than 2 1 2 the flooring should not be installed. If given ample space warmth and ventilation water vapor will simply.

Adding a layer of laminate padding on top of the moisture barrier will make a noticeable difference in how comfortable the floor is to walk on.