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Brought to you by
Koster Waterproofing Systems
The original flooring moisture solution
Solutions for Floor Moisture Control
Solutions for Floor Moisture Control
Koster Waterproofing Systems is a Registered Provider with the American Institute of Architects Continuing Education System (AIACES). Credit earned on completion of this program will be reported to AIA/CES Records for AIA members. Certificates of Completion for non-AIA members are available on request.
This program is registered with the AIA/CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product. Questions related to specific materials, methods, and services will be addressed at the conclusion of this presentation.
This presentation is protected by US and International copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, display, or use of the presentation without written permission of the publisher is prohibited. Copyright© 2009 Koester American Corporation.
Program development by SpecGuy.
2 Solutions for Floor Moisture Control
Learning Objectives
Solutions for Floor Moisture Control
Participants in this education program will be able to:
• Incorporate concrete slab moisture control in an overall sustainable design strategy
• Specify moisture control meeting indoor environmental quality requirements
• Avoid moisture-related flooring failures by applying design best practices
• Specify contractor practices for concrete slab moisture control
• Select appropriate products for concrete slab moisture mitigation
Solutions for Floor Moisture Control 3
Solutions for Floor Moisture Control
Concrete floor slabs: What they do
• Structure: Support floor loads
• Enclosure: Protect against water and water vapor infiltration
• Interior Design: Present largest and most visible component of interior space
Solutions for Floor Moisture Control 4
Solutions for Floor Moisture Control
Concrete floor slabs: What they do
• Structure: Support floor loads
• Enclosure: Protect against water and water vapor infiltration
• Interior Design: Present largest and most visible component of interior space
Solutions for Floor Moisture Control 5
Floor Moisture Control and Sustainable Design
Incorporate concrete slab moisture control in an overall sustainable design strategy
• Improve indoor environmental quality
• Extend material life and eliminate material failures from uncontrolled moisture
• Eliminate mold formation
• Eliminate sanitation and infection control problems
• Reduce latent dehumidification load on HVAC systems
6 Solutions for Floor Moisture Control
Floor Moisture Control and Sustainable Design
Sustainable products for slab treatment and moisture mitigation
• Curing compounds
• Sealers
• Liquid densifier/hardeners
• Water vapor control treatments
7 Solutions for Floor Moisture Control
Floor Moisture Control and LEED
Maintain indoor air quality and sanitation
• Sustainable products for slab treatment and moisture mitigation
• LEED IEQ Credit: Low-Emitting Materials
8 Solutions for Floor Moisture Control
Floor Moisture Control and LEED
Maintain indoor air quality and sanitation
• Floor moisture control in contractor's IAQ plan
• LEED IEQ Credit: Construction IAQ Management During Construction
9 Solutions for Floor Moisture Control
Floor Moisture Control and LEED
Reduce energy operating expenses
• Reduced latent dehumidification loads
• LEED EA Credit: Optimize Energy Performance
10 Solutions for Floor Moisture Control
Design best practices
Avoid moisture-related flooring failures by applying design and construction best practices
• Waterproofing membranes
• Vapor retarder sheets
11 Solutions for Floor Moisture Control
Design best practices
Avoid moisture-related flooring failures by applying design and construction best practices
• Concrete mix design
12 Solutions for Floor Moisture Control
Construction best practices
Avoid moisture-related flooring failures by applying design and construction best practices
• Concrete placement
• Concrete curing
• Construction moisture management
13 Solutions for Floor Moisture Control
Moisture: What, where, and how
Building slabs vulnerable to moisture problems
• Building sites with high water tables
• New and old concrete slabs
• On-grade and below-grade concrete slabs
• Above-grade concrete slabs on metal pans
14 Solutions for Floor Moisture Control
Moisture: What, where, and how
Primary sources of moisture
• Water of Hydration
•Minimum mix water needed to cause chemical reaction in cement
• Expressed as a water/cement ratio
• Water of Convenience
• Additional mix water needed for concrete placement
15 Solutions for Floor Moisture Control
Moisture: What, where, and how
Other sources of moisture
• Outside water: Ground water, surface water, precipitation
• Granular fill: Rain water absorbed in slab substrate
• ACI recommends against use of a "blotter" course under slab
• Plumbing failures
16 Solutions for Floor Moisture Control
Moisture: What, where, and how
Moisture problems you may not see
• Water = Water under pressure (hydrostatic)
• Slab surface is wet
• Water Vapor = Water diffusing as a gas
• Slab surface is dry
17 Solutions for Floor Moisture Control
Moisture: What, where, and how
Moisture moves in the form of water vapor – a gas
• From areas with high vapor pressure
• To areas of low vapor pressure
• Pathways for gas are capillaries in concrete
• Capillaries are formed during concrete hydration
18 Solutions for Floor Moisture Control
Moisture, alkalinity, and flooring failure
Why floor slab moisture problems occur
• Lack of under-slab waterproofing or vapor retarder
• Concrete designed with excess mix water
• Concrete placed with site-added water
• Inadequate curing time allowed
• Lack of HVAC control
19 Solutions for Floor Moisture Control
Moisture, alkalinity, and flooring failure
What do moisture problems look like?
• Invisible on un-sealed concrete floors
• Bubbling sheet goods
• Warping wood floors
• Blistering coatings
• Telegraphing concrete joints
• Curling and cracking VCT
• Re-emulsifying adhesive
• Failing adhesive bond
• Leaching adhesive through product joints
• Odor from mold and mildew
20 Solutions for Floor Moisture Control
Moisture, alkalinity, and flooring failure
Vinyl tile and sheet flooring
• Adhesives intolerant of alkalinity
• Fail at levels above 10 (pH scale-ASTM 1308) causing adhesive failure and floor blistering
• Alkalinity is the true culprit in resilient flooring failures!
21 Solutions for Floor Moisture Control
Moisture, alkalinity, and flooring failure
Rubber flooring
• Most sensitive of flooring systems
• Fails rapidly at moisture levels above 3 pounds and pH of 10
22 Solutions for Floor Moisture Control
Moisture, alkalinity, and flooring failure
Wood flooring
• Reacts rapidly to moisture above 1 - 1½ pounds
• Warping and distorting
• Adhesive bond destroyed at +10 pH
23 Solutions for Floor Moisture Control
Moisture and concrete slabs
What is happening under the flooring?
• Moisture from ground and concrete moves via capillary action and vapor pressure
• Powerful chemical agents dissolved from concrete
• Degrade adhesive and applied finishes
Moisture and concrete slabs
What is happening under the flooring? Sodium Hydroxide
Potassium Hydroxide
Calcium Hydroxide
Vapor Barrier
Cement Cap
Concrete
Water/H2O Gas
Water/H2O Gas
Moisture and concrete slabs Sodium Hydroxide
Potassium Hydroxide
Calcium Hydroxide
Adhesive
Vapor Barrier
Cement Cap
Concrete
Water/H2O Gas
Water/H2O Gas
What is happening under the flooring?
Moisture and concrete slabs Sodium Hydroxide
Potassium Hydroxide
Calcium Hydroxide
Adhesive
Vapor Barrier
Cement Cap
Concrete
Water/H2O Gas
Water/H2O Gas
What is happening under the flooring?
Moisture and concrete slabs Sodium Hydroxide
Potassium Hydroxide
Calcium Hydroxide
Adhesive
Vapor Barrier
Cement Cap
Concrete
Water + dissolved metal ions
Water/H2O Gas
Flooring
What is happening under the flooring?
Moisture and concrete slabs
What is happening under the flooring?
• Osmotic action increases alkalinity
• Alkaline chemicals attack adhesives
Sodium Hydroxide
Potassium Hydroxide
Calcium Hydroxide
Moisture and concrete slabs
What is happening under the flooring?
• Osmotic action increases alkalinity
• Alkaline chemicals attack adhesives
Sodium Hydroxide
Potassium Hydroxide
Calcium Hydroxide
Moisture and concrete slabs
What is happening under the flooring?
• Osmotic action increases alkalinity
• Alkaline chemicals attack adhesives
• Chemical attack + physical pressure >500 psi damage flooring
Sodium Hydroxide
Potassium Hydroxide
Calcium Hydroxide
Testing for moisture and alkalinity
What to do about moisture: Specifying testing
32 Solutions for Floor Moisture Control
Testing for moisture and alkalinity
What to do about moisture: Specifying testing
33 Solutions for Floor Moisture Control
Testing for moisture and alkalinity
Testing for moisture: ASTM F 1869
• Vapor barrier under slab
• Take test over clean, prepped floor
• No curing compounds
• Temperature and humidity = normal building operation
34 Solutions for Floor Moisture Control
Testing for moisture and alkalinity
Some manufacturers: 5 pound vapor threshold
Most manufacturers: 3 pound vapor threshold
• Old "cutback" adhesives and asbestos tiles were "breathable" and not effected by moisture
• General standards in place since 1960s
• Established failure mode baseline for moisture-intolerant resilient flooring
• Lower VOC adhesives and asbestos-free flooring more sensitive
• Alkalinity not then a consideration
35 Solutions for Floor Moisture Control
Testing for moisture and alkalinity
Testing for moisture: ASTM F 2170
• Drill specified hole to 40% of slab depth
36 Solutions for Floor Moisture Control
Testing for moisture and alkalinity
Testing for alkalinity
37 Solutions for Floor Moisture Control
Solving excess moisture problems
We've got a fast-track job and we've got high moisture in the slab and can't install the flooring! Now what?
38 Solutions for Floor Moisture Control
Solving excess moisture problems
Sometimes temporary dehumidification is enough.
39 Solutions for Floor Moisture Control
Solving excess moisture problems
Overlay a new vapor barrier and floor?
40 Solutions for Floor Moisture Control
Photo courtesy of Scott Tarr CTL Group ©
Solving excess moisture problems
Tear out the floor and start over?
41 Solutions for Floor Moisture Control
Photo courtesy of Scott Tarr CTL Group ©
Selecting moisture mitigation products
Easier solutions: Moisture mitigation products
• Polymer / Cement Mix
• Penetrating Silicates
• Latex / Water Based Polymer
• Multi-Level Systems
• Epoxy Coatings
42 Solutions for Floor Moisture Control
Selecting moisture mitigation products
Considerations in selecting mitigation products
• Adhesion to concrete
• Resistance to vapor pressure
• Resistance to alkalinity
• Resistance to hydrostatic pressure
• Reliability
• Safety of materials
• Time required for installation and cure
43 Solutions for Floor Moisture Control
Selecting moisture mitigation products
Polymer / Cement Mix
• Multiple coats
• Labor intensive application
• Maximum vapor levels around 8 pounds
• Performance good on floors below 6 pounds
44 Solutions for Floor Moisture Control
Selecting moisture mitigation products
Penetrating Silicates
• Sodium; Potassium Sodium-Potassium and Lithium
• No ASTM E 96 or D 1308 testing
• Membrane is breathable
• Can be used as a bond breaker for tilt-up construction
• Performance: Marginal at best
45 Solutions for Floor Moisture Control
Selecting moisture mitigation products
Latex / Water Based Polymer
• Low cost primer-type adhesion enhancer
• No ASTM E-96 or ASTM D-1308 testing
• Alkaline sensitive: pH 10 maximum
• Vapor reduction capabilities are poor
• Performance: Not suitable for mitigation
46 Solutions for Floor Moisture Control
Selecting moisture mitigation products
Multi-Level Systems
• Labor intensive
• Expensive at higher vapor levels
• Warranty varies with selected system
• Some testing data available
• Maximum application pH 12.5
• Performance: Good relative to vapor and pH
47 Solutions for Floor Moisture Control
Selecting moisture mitigation products
Epoxy Coatings
• Single-coat or two-coat systems
• Established testing data
• Excellent vapor reduction characteristics
• Warranty coverage varies with material and number of coats
• Systems vary: Some require sand casting
• Some systems have high odor levels
48 Solutions for Floor Moisture Control
Applying moisture mitigation products
Proper preparation is essential for mitigation success
49 Solutions for Floor Moisture Control
Applying moisture mitigation products
Proper preparation is essential for mitigation success
50 Solutions for Floor Moisture Control
Applying moisture mitigation products
51 Solutions for Floor Moisture Control
The goal: Beautiful spaces with beautiful floors
52 Solutions for Floor Moisture Control
Summary slide
Design: Moisture protection elements and mix design
Construction: Protect from water and contaminants
Testing: Know the condition of the slab
Mitigation: Select the proper method for conditions
Success: Floors that meet owner's requirements
53 Solutions for Floor Moisture Control
Learning Objectives
Solutions for Floor Moisture Control
You will now be able to:
• Avoid concrete slab flooring failures by applying design and construction best practices
• Incorporate concrete slab moisture control into an overall sustainable design strategy
• Specify contractor practices for concrete slab moisture control and related IAQ requirements
• Select appropriate products for concrete slab moisture and alkalinity remediation
54 Solutions for Floor Moisture Control
Brought to you by
Koster Waterproofing Systems
The original flooring moisture solution
Solutions for Floor Moisture Control
This concludes this continuing education program. Thank you for
participating with us today.
Brought to you by
Koster Waterproofing Systems
The original flooring moisture solution
Solutions for Floor Moisture Control