Concrete Testing Services

There are many factors that contribute to the performance of a flooring System. One of the most important factors is the condition of the concrete substrate itself. Floorcare USA offers many different concrete testing services to insure optimal performance of your flooring system. Identifying moisture issues, contamination issues, and floor flatness in the beginning of the project should influence the type of flooring system used and the remediation steps necessary before installation.

Anhydrous Calcium Chloride Testing

The calcium chloride vapor emission test was developed over 40 years ago to quantify the volume of water vapor radiating from a concrete slab surface over time. This test is directly specified by the vast majority of the Floor Covering Industry as the primary measure of moisture acceptability for floor covering installation. We use this test to model the amount of moisture that emits from 1,000 square feet of slab surface in 24 hours. The result is expressed as “pounds” which is the equivalent weight of water, emitted as vapor, over 1,000 square feet in 24 hours. We also use this result to compare to Manufacturer’s specifications for floor covering or coating tolerances.

Rapid RH Testing

Rapid RH Testing measures the relative humidity or moisture conditions in the concrete. This measurement is expressed as a percent. The type of floor covering that is being used specifies the acceptable level that needs to be reached before it can be installed.

Moisture Meter Testing

Moisture meters measure the current moisture levels on the surface of concrete. These tests typically give you the first indications if more extensive moisture issues are present.

Concrete PH Testing

A PH test can quickly identify the acidity and alkalinity of the floor. The combination of high alkalinity and moisture can damage floor coverings and break down adhesives as well as coatings.

Laser Floor Flatness Test

Floor coverings like wood and tile need a relatively flat surface to be installed. The results of polished concrete are directly affected by the flatness of the concrete. Identifying how flat a concrete slab is, will determine if an underlayment is needed prior to installing a flooring system.

Concrete Coring & Lab Analysis

If concrete contamination is suspected, concrete coring and analysis is a useful in determining remediation methods before investing in a flooring solution. Once a core is removed from the concrete, it can be sent to a lab to analyze for Alkali Silica Reactions (ASR), Unreacted Metasilicate Contamination, or Organic Contamination. Below are some commonly performed tests:
  • An X-Ray Diffraction can determine the make-up of the concrete and the abundance of different minerals present.
  • Ion Chromatography is a test method to determine if there are contamination levels of water soluble ions that can cause floor coverings to delamination.
  • Infrared Spectroscopy Analysis identifies and measures levels of organic contamination in the concrete.