Performing A Basic Moisture Test On Concrete Floors
The surfaces, walls, and in some machinery, excessive moisture can result in several issues. Surface corrosion and leakage are potential consequences of this. The environment is always present with humidity.
Wood, concrete, and mortar have unique properties and responses to excessive moisture. Measuring the moisture content surrounding these items might be an excellent approach to stop their deterioration. A moisture test metre is a tool created especially for this use.
The concrete moisture test is a form of moisture metre used by flooring installers to gauge the moisture content of concrete is a concrete moisture metre. For many years, these metres will measure the moisture content of various materials and substances. However, this technology has developed and found use in several industries. These metres come in several specifications and are employed to gauge the moisture content of a range of substances.
The concrete moisture test is also applied to assess the condition of building materials and other services, such as:
- Engineering Consulting
- Flooring Consulting and Testing Services
- NDT Consulting
- Condition Monitoring
- NDT and Training
How to Test Concrete for RH and Moisture
Is there anything more upsetting than putting in the effort to fail a moisture test on concrete? Why did it happen?
Well, there are a lot of potential causes. Concrete moisture testing should be easy to perform. You may concentrate on the outcomes once you master the testing procedure. When done correctly, a test that reveals the moisture level in the concrete slab is too high to lay the flooring is not a failure. It’s crucial to have knowledge that prevents you from putting down the flooring too soon.
To make it easy and reliable for you to do an accurate moisture test every time, they have compiled five guidelines on how to test concrete for moisture.
Tip 1: Pick the Right Testing Method
The most accurate way to gauge how much moisture is present in the concrete is by an in-situ relative humidity (RH) measurement. The in-situ RH approach is the sole option supported by scientific testing for a precise evaluation of the moisture condition of the concrete. If you follow the guidelines outlined by Australian Standards AS 2455 and AS 1884, you may have confidence that the RH test will yield accurate moisture data.
Tip 2: Understand how deep you need to drill
Researchers have discovered that a concrete slab’s internal humidity can be measured by drilling a test hole to a depth determined by how much moisture vaporises inside it. For installation, the test hole must be bored to 20% for each side of the slab drying from both sides.
Tip 3: Clean the Drilled Area Before Installing Your RH Moisture Sensor
You must drill the hole at the correct depth. Naturally, drilling will leave a minor mess in and around the hole. Before attaching the RH sensor and has to be cleaned off. Even more quickly, use a vacuum drill bit that vacuums as you drill.
Tip 4: Concrete tested for RH and moisture under the appropriate environmental conditions.
After installing an RH sensor, you must wait 24 hours before taking an official reading by ASTM F2170. The sensor can equilibrate within the concrete slab while waiting.
Tip 5: RH readings should be gathered and saved.
Whether you’re developing or running a facility, producing, supplying, or buying products, ATTAR can help you overcome compliance concerns. Their sensors can capture data quickly and easily. Each reading connects to the appropriate sensor and location without needing to be written down on paper. The RH values can instead be gathered and sent to a free mobile app using one of the Bluetooth-enabled devices.