Concrete Moisture Test Kit - Calcium Chloride ASTM Method Orange
Concrete Moisture Test or Calcium Chloride Tests - also called the dome test - are designed to measure the moisture vapor emission rate of concrete sub floors using anhydrous calcium chloride.
Calcium chloride test kits can determine whether or not there is a moisture problem and will allow the contractor/installer to fix this before it becomes a flooring issue.
In addition, a concrete moisture test kit includes a pH test kit to measure the concrete alkalinity at the surface.
Concrete Moisture Test - Calcium Chloride and Alkalinity (pH) from Vapor Score - Dome Kit ASTM Method Orange
Vapor Score Calcium Chloride Test Kits meet and comply with both ASTM F1869 and ASTM F710-11.
The Calcium Chloride Test Kit is the Standard Test Method for Measuring Moisture Vapor Emission Rate (MVER) of Concrete Sub floor Using Anhydrous Calcium Chloride - Moisture vapor emission rate (MVER) is the amount of water vapor in pounds emitted from 1000 sq ft area of concrete flooring during a 24 hours period. This number or figure corresponds to flooring manufactures acceptable tolerance.
Chloride Test Kit Quantity Discount Prices
10 - 25 Kits $ 11.62 ea 26 - 50 Kits $ 10.81 ea 51+ Kits $ 10.05 ea
Calcium Chloride Test Kits allow you to achieve a quantitative figure which will coincide with floor manufacturer's requirements.
ASTM F1869 test conditions to be between 65°F and 75°F and 40% and 60% relative humidity. These requirements need to be sustained for 48 hours proceeding to and during the test. Procedure requires cleaning a 20-inch-by-20-inch square at each test site to be sure you are testing bare concrete. This will remove curing compounds, sealers or old adhesive residue. The people who do testing for a living always grind the surface so the slab is completely clean. Failure to clean the slab may result in a false low reading. A 24-hour waiting period after cleaning is needed before the test kit is placed so surface moisture that was trapped beneath whatever coating was there can evaporate. Failure to wait 24 hours may result in a false high reading.
ASTM F1869 calls for 3 tests for the first 1000sq ft and 1 test for each 1000 sq ft. after that.
Why Test For Moisture?
Concrete Slab Moisture can cause problems with adhesion of floor-covering material, such as tile, sheet flooring, or carpet and bond related material failure of non-breathable floor coverings.
Many adhesives used for installation of floor coverings are more water sensitive than in the past, due to restrictions on the use of volatile organic compound (VOCs).
Sources for Moisture
- Condensation
- Moisture migration through the slab from wet soil under the slab
- Broken or leaking pipes buried below or in the concrete
- Surface water from leaks or flooding collecting on the concrete
Problems Associated With Moisture
- Inadequate bond
- Moisture prevents or retards setting of water-based adhesives
- Weakening of the bond of previously set adhesives
- Growth in tile resulting in peaked joints or curled tile
- Discoloration
- Salt (alkali) deposits at tile joints
- Blisters in sheet flooring installations (When blisters form immediately after installation, they are normally associated with air. When a period of time passes before blisters form, they are usually a result of moisture in the slab.
- Bleeding of adhesive through the joints of tile
- Shifting Tile
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ManufacturerVapor Score
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Testing Conditions:ASTM F1869 test conditions to be between 65°F and 75°F and 40% and 60% relative humidity.
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Procedure:requires cleaning a 20-inch-by-20-inch square at each test site to be sure you are testing bare concrete.
A 24-hour waiting period after cleaning is needed before the test kit is placed so surface moisture that was trapped beneath whatever coating was there can evaporate. Failure to wait 24 hours may result in a false high reading. -
Requirements:Vapor Score Calcium Chloride Test Kits meet and comply with both ASTM F1869 and ASTM F710-11.
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Sources for Moisture- Condensation
- Moisture migration through the slab from wet soil under the slab
- Broken or leaking pipes buried below or in the concrete
- Surface water from leaks or flooding collecting on the concrete -
Problems Associated With Moisture- Inadequate bond
- Moisture prevents or retards setting of water-based adhesives
- Weakening of the bond of previously set adhesives
- Growth in tile resulting in peaked joints or curled tile
- Discoloration
- Salt (alkali) deposits at tile joints
- Blisters in sheet flooring installations (When blisters form immediately after installation, they are normally associated with air. When a period of time passes before blisters form, they are usually a result of moisture in the slab.
- Bleeding of adhesive through the joints of tile
- Shifting Tile