LeePelletier
Well-Known Member
One area that I find our industry does a poor job addressing is moisture. In particular: flooring failures caused by moisture. This is an area that most consumers do not understand, but I find that many professionals, and even manufacturers inadequately understand moisture.
Our store is in New England, which is likely one of the most extreme areas of the country for both weather and ground conditions. The products that we sell that are most affected by moisture are wood (naturally), but also vinyl and rubber flooring (on concrete).
Typically, manufacturers will have us test the moisture in a subfloor and record that number. Or, they have us do calcium chloride tests on concrete flooring to record how many pounds of vapor we have come through the concrete per 1000 sq. ft. per 24 hour period.
Here's the problem I have with calcium chloride tests. They test the vapor emissions from the concrete at one particular point in time. I've monitored several buildings in our area over a period of time, and I will tell you that this number is NOT CONSTANT. You could measure the vapor emission at one time of year, and get a reading that says laying flooring is fine. But at another time of year (higher water table, warmer ground, who knows why) the vapor emission goes way up.
Now, if we were to follow the manufacturers recommendations, that one calcium chloride test was enough to show that we could lay flooring. But it is a failure waiting to happen. I'm surprised that manufacturers themselves don't do more to understand the issues involved and educate their dealers. It would save them a ton of money.
My goal as a professional is not to just cover my butt and leave the problem with the manufacturer when it fails. After all, I did what they asked me to. No, my goal is to elminate moisture related flooring failures.
I thought this forum would be a good place to start an industry conversation about the issue. Let's face it, just following manufacturer guidelines alone will not address the issue. Surprising, but true.
I have clients here, and have to run. I'll post some more thoughts on this a little later.
Regards,
Our store is in New England, which is likely one of the most extreme areas of the country for both weather and ground conditions. The products that we sell that are most affected by moisture are wood (naturally), but also vinyl and rubber flooring (on concrete).
Typically, manufacturers will have us test the moisture in a subfloor and record that number. Or, they have us do calcium chloride tests on concrete flooring to record how many pounds of vapor we have come through the concrete per 1000 sq. ft. per 24 hour period.
Here's the problem I have with calcium chloride tests. They test the vapor emissions from the concrete at one particular point in time. I've monitored several buildings in our area over a period of time, and I will tell you that this number is NOT CONSTANT. You could measure the vapor emission at one time of year, and get a reading that says laying flooring is fine. But at another time of year (higher water table, warmer ground, who knows why) the vapor emission goes way up.
Now, if we were to follow the manufacturers recommendations, that one calcium chloride test was enough to show that we could lay flooring. But it is a failure waiting to happen. I'm surprised that manufacturers themselves don't do more to understand the issues involved and educate their dealers. It would save them a ton of money.
My goal as a professional is not to just cover my butt and leave the problem with the manufacturer when it fails. After all, I did what they asked me to. No, my goal is to elminate moisture related flooring failures.
I thought this forum would be a good place to start an industry conversation about the issue. Let's face it, just following manufacturer guidelines alone will not address the issue. Surprising, but true.
I have clients here, and have to run. I'll post some more thoughts on this a little later.
Regards,
