How Does Barrier One Eliminate The Need For Expensive and Time-Consuming Topical Concrete Moisture Mitigation Systems?
Neither ASTM 1869 – Calcium Chloride nor ASTM 2170 – In Situ Probe Relative Humidity “RH” concrete moisture testingresults are indicative of a flooring installation success. The “point in time” measured water from these tests is both physically and chemically bound within the concrete itself, and the moisture data derived from these tests is often skewed, based upon site conditions. Numerous Commercial Flooring Manufacturers still recommend field moisture testing for their “Material-Defect” Warranties, knowing that the results are not warranted and exclude the added moisture supplied topically to the flooring system through water-based adhesive moisture and underlayment sourced moisture (self-levelers, patches, blotter layers).
In reviewing thousands of Division 9 Flooring Specifications from across the United States, most projects are specifying thatASTM F 1869 – Calcium Chloride testing must register moisture vapor emissions at a rate below 3 or 5 pounds in 24-Hours orASTM F 2170 – In Situ Probe Relative Humidity “RH” test must register below 75% or 80%.
Understanding that concrete hydration naturally starts to slow down at 90%-RH and stops all together once its lowered to 80%-RH, why are projects being forced to lower the concrete relative humidity (“RH”) well below healthy and recommended concrete hydration percentage ranges, just to install flooring. Remember, concrete gains strength for as long as hydration takes place and for hydration to take place, the concrete relative humidity must register above 85%. Verify the importance of concrete hydration in relation to concrete strength gains with your Structural Engineering Team.
The assumption that the presence of moisture in your slabs, as determined by field moisture testing, is directly correlated to a possible flooring failure, is not always accurate. ASTM studies indicated that RH testing conducted 2-years after flooring installations ranged from 88% RH to 98% RH (Great For Concrete Hydration). Therefore, its clearly not the presence of moisture, but the redistribution of this moisture that causes flooring failures. Barrier One Porosity Inhibiting (PIA) Technology stops the redistribution of this moisture and our Barrier One Moisture Vapor Reduction (MVRA-CPS) Technology reduces the redistribution of this moisture at differing levels of performance.
Redistribution of concrete moisture and fully understanding concrete hydration are primary reasons why Division 9 Concrete Moisture Testing is “not-required” for our Barrier One Warranties. We warrant to the maximum of both test: ASTM F-1869 Calcium Chloride (25 Pounds) and ASTM F-2170 In Situ Probe Relative Humidity “RH” (100%). Since many Commercial Flooring Manufacturers “still” mandate concrete moisture testing in their installation guidelines, it is in the best interest of the Flooring Installer and Project Team to have the test performed and recorded. With Barrier One dosed in your project slabs stopping the redistribution of concrete moisture, the need for expensive and time-consuming Topical Moisture Mitigation system are also eliminated, regardless of the recorded testing results from either ASTM F-1869 or ASTM F-2170.