Different Flooring Types In The Past 100 Years: Problems & Solutions

Flooring gives essence to your space and sets a comforting environment at your residence or work place. In the past one century, it has witnessed a sea change in its types, textures, colors, quality and more, thus becoming better and more appealing with every modification. From clay tile, rubber, linoleum or cork used at the dawn of the century to asphalt and vinyl flooring in the mid, to the eco-friendly and VOC frenzy floorings of the modern times, much has changed throughout these decades.

Flooring problems 

Each of these types accompanied distinctive plus points appeal as well as drawbacks. The most prominent of these demerits include as below:

·     Vinyl: Most of the vinyl floor tiles dating back to 1950’s contained asbestos, a toxic material, which could cause life-threatening effects.

·       Ceramic tiles: These floor coverings kept the construction industry worldwide busy, thanks to its glazed surface. However, improper installation often lead to missing grout in the joins, hence making way for the moisture to creep in between the tiles.

·         Concrete floors: Like all other floor types, the durable and energy efficient concrete floors also own certain demerits like their hard surface that could injure people. Moisture is another common problem that could affect these floors. 

While the other problems hold distinct solutions, an instant remedy to moisture in the flooring is certified moisture testing. If you approach a reputed service provider to test your floor for moisture content, chances for long lasting flooring can become brighter.

Polyurethane & Epoxy Concrete Crack Repair Methods

Due to a leak in concrete slab, there may occur moisture related problems inside a structure. The waterproofing industry has always been trying to find ways to provide rock-solid solutions to the needy. In the below subsections, we discuss two most popular cracks repair and methods of moisture test for concrete slab –

• Injection Therapy

In the industry, there are used two types of injection therapies: polyurethane and epoxy injection. The best way to ascertain that the line has been filled properly is to inject the solution or paste from inside. Whether you are using polyurethane or epoxy, make sure that injection ports are affixed on the surface, after a layer of the paste has been applied over the split.

• Polyurethane Method

Polyurethane foams are less expensive and easier to use than epoxies, however there are a few drawbacks of this concrete crack repairing method. It does not add to the strength of the structure, though it welds and fills the crack, after being injected inside.

• Epoxy Concrete Repair Method

On the other hand, the epoxy technique allows you to weld and fill the crack, and strengthen the bond between the solution and the structure, as well. And surprisingly, the strength of the bond can sometimes be more powerful than concrete.

Factors That Play A Pivotal Part During Concrete Core Testing

Testing the strength of a concrete slab becomes imperative sometimes. To determine the vigor of the toughened slab, the slab is drilled, and then, core testing is performed. In the concrete core testing procedure, the core of the concrete lab is tested out.

If it becomes unfeasible for the testers to determine the condition of the slab via comprehensive strength tests, core testing remains the best possible resolution for them. The comprehensive and core testing are two far different testing procedures that determine different purposes. While the cylinder strength test ascertains the quality of the concrete, the core testing determines the quality of the in-situ concrete. Since drilling is a prime stunt, the strength of the stone also gets revealed with core testing measures.

There are several factors that influence the results of core testing –

The Diameter of concrete core – To attain the best results, the diameter of the sample slab should be at least 3.70 inches (for comprehensive strength load bearing), and 1.5 inches (for concrete with nominal maximum size).

The length of the sample slab – The length of the specimen concrete slab should be between 1.9 and 2.1 inches.

The evaporation of moisture – After drilling the slab, it is important to clean and wipe off the surface with water. And it is even more important to allow the water to evaporate completely, before taking the sample. Ideally, it takes about 1 hour to the water to evaporate entirely. You can place the samples in your envelopes after that duration has passed.

RH Testing Finds the Accurate Level of Moisture in Concrete

The moisture problems in buildings are responsible for the expenditures of millions of dollars every year. The problems that arise because of moisture in a concrete structure are weakening, collapsing and blistering of a structure, and cracks in the floor, ceiling and walls. The development of mold and mildew can also surface due to excess moisture or humidity.

Sometimes humidity may advance in a building because: the required amount of time is not given to the slab to dry up; surplus water is used in the concrete mixture; and there is a leak in the water supply pipeline in the building; or due to weather conditions (excess rainfall).

In many buildings, where the suggested quality and quantity of concrete mixture is NOT used, moisture can occur right after the development is completed.

Concrete slabs have porous and highly water-absorbent surface, thus, there should be taken proper measures to avoid the blockage and stoppage of water. The drainage system, the ventilation, calculated heating and air conditioning systems should be considered to avoid the problems of humidity.

RH Moisture Testing

RH or Relative Humidity Moisture Testing is a procedure that evaluates the level of moisture and humidity in a building. The relative humidity probe provides the concrete testers with the most accurate information about the slab.

RH Testing provides the real presentment of the amount of moisture and humidity in concrete slabs, walls and ceilings. The procedure can also state the dangerous level of moisture in a slab, which can bring about several damages in the structure.

When laying the floor over a concrete surface, testing the moisture condition of the concrete as well as the ground is essential. The RH moisture in-situ probe and meter can be helpful in this.

Moisture Testing Machines and Equipment

The presence of moisture in the concrete slabs need to be discouraged appreciably to ensure long life of structures. It is hence important to identify the existence of humidity in the slab at an early stage, and apply appropriate corrective measures accordingly. To help you execute your cause successfully, you can opt for several testing machines and equipment. You may also hire the services of expert professionals who can perform the tests the best way through sophisticated machines. Let us know about some of these advanced testing equipment right here:

Calcium Chloride (CC) Moisture Test Kit

This kit is handy in determining the rate of moisture vapor that escapes from the surface of a concrete floor within 24 hours. The decision to install floor coverings, cement toppings, or coatings on a particular surface depends largely on the result of the test this kit conducts. It is among the most popular methods for moisture testing.

Concrete Moisture Encounter 4 Meter

This easy-to-use non-penetrating meter helps in finding out the moisture content of the concrete floors. It is best to use in drying out period and holds tendency to fetch instant and precise readings, accurate up to 5/8 of an inch.

Smart Sensors

These sensors provide fast and accurate results regarding moisture in the floor, with the help of Touch-n-Sense technology. Companies offering these sensors often also include many must-haves, like inserts, floor map, caps, etc. some of these also work with Rapid RH 4.0 Easy Readers

Thermo-Hygrometer

It is the best equipment that combines the features of multiple meters in to a single meter and is best for use by flooring inspectors and installers. Manufacturers often include an Auto shut-off timer that saves much battery life of the equipment appreciably. Several branded meters also comprise a detachable sensor, making it suitable for testing a concrete slab as per ASTM F2170 standard.

How to Become a Certified Moisture Tester

Moisture testing is an important procedure before, during and after the construction of a building. To ensure if a site is suitable for construction, the level of dampness in the ground should be checked. The humidity and water level is checked during the construction for many reasons, as to certify the strengths of the building. And after the construction is completed, or in old structures, there may appear some signs of dampness that look unattractive, and they may also accentuate the corrosion of the structure, and can cause several health related issues to the people living inside the building.

The Roles of a Moisture Testing Professional and Company

As a moisture tester professional, you would be using advanced technology enabled equipment to check the level of humidity at a construction or remodeling site, at a private or commercial property. To perform your duties, you need to be a certified moisture tester.

Certification in Moisture Testing

Various universities, colleges and training centers provide advanced specializations in moisture testing, under their building construction courses. ICRI, the International Concrete Repair Institute is a one and first of its kind educational institution that offers valuable educational training programs on concrete and moisture management. To become an ICRI certified moisture tester, you need to undergo a proper training session at the institute. Some other permits, issued by the government and city authority are also required to establish a certified moisture testing company.

How A Moisture Testing Company Can Help You?

Everyone wants to stay in a safe to live structure. And, when a home or office building is not developed keeping the safety norms, and have visible cracks, signs of moisture, it certainly will be a precarious place to stay. When the cracks and signs of moisture emerge in a building, it simply signifies that it has been structured without any prior site inspection and by using low-quality materials.

Moisture Testing Companies

Eliminating and/regulating the sources of moisture in a structure is very important. Moisture testing companies send their verified testers or site inspectors, with their proper apparatus and tools, to check the level of moisture, and to suggest the waterproofing solutions to their clients, at the construction project site.

Help In Getting a Strong, Stable Home or Office Structure

Signs of moisture in a building can lead to several negative situations. A structure that has excess exposure to moisture is unsafe, prone to hazards, and can corrode much sooner than its expected time. Moistness is also a probable reason for a number of skin and joint related diseases, and emotional disorders. Further, the wetness on walls and floors degrade the ambiance of a structure.