| Author |
Message |
Jerry Van Scoy
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 03, 2001 - 02:22 pm: |    |
Obtain some great information including suggested spec language (all free) to deal with many of the issues associated with moisture vapor emission from concrete slabs and the resultant impact on resilient floor coverings. www.sigfloor.org is our association website dedicated to offering solutions to prevent moisture problems as they relate to installing resilient floors. Division 9. The information was created by AIA architects and specifiers. Jerry Van Scoy, CSI |
Scott Parish (Scottparish)
| | Posted on Monday, July 30, 2001 - 11:00 am: | |
How do you suggest addressing the alkalinity in concrete, which is the real problem behind many floor failures? |
David Lorenzini
| | Posted on Monday, July 30, 2001 - 11:43 am: | |
Scott
You missed a great presentation on moisture migration in concrete floors at the CSI Convention. The speaker stressed alkalinity just as you mentioned, but stated that it was hard to measure properly. You may want to contact him directly at: Robert C. Higgins, Jr., Vice President SINAK Corporation, sinakcorp@aol.com. |
Mel Cole, FCSI
| | Posted on Monday, July 30, 2001 - 06:51 pm: | |
Scott
In addition to including materials from Bob Higgins, I have included the requirements for testing for both water vapor and Ph level in my specifications, thanks to the input from Adam Schwegel, CSI, at Floor Seal Technology. Adam can be reached at (800) 295-0221.
I wish you well with your efforts. |
r.l.hird
| | Posted on Thursday, August 02, 2001 - 08:07 am: | |
Scott
Most of my problems with vapor transmission have been with the epoxy bond, Besides the typical epoxy coating we had a laboratory project that had a thin German Sheet rubber epoxy bonded over the complete area of an "elevated" floor, i.e. no large moisture differential drive from a source below. Even though they had run moisture checks, over time, we found moisture trapped in bubbles in "numerous" locations. Something caused the bond failure but I have wondered if moisture is just a result, not a cause, of bond failure.
Since tenacious bond of a resilient flooring is not a key performance requirement would love to see this problem studied from the position of the breathability of the adhesive and floor covering rather than the problem of bond at the time of construction. Small discontinuites in the adhesion would not be problem of they were free to breath. |
Bob Higgins
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 08, 2001 - 02:07 pm: | |
It's nice to see that specifiers and other manufacturers have finally come around to recognizing pH and alkalinity and being important influences in flooring failures.
In fact, we have found no linear correlation between moisture levels and flooring failures, even when the industry on the whole was still insisting that moisture levels were THE key component in "moisture-related" flooring failures. In California, approximately 80% of the concrete surfaces tested have moisture emission values of 5-8 pounds in accordance to the calcium chloride test method. Yet less than 15% of these same floors are showing signs of "moisture-related" distress. IF moisture were indeed the "key" factor in the failures, the statistics would be more closely related.
There are other important considerations such as dew point and the recognition of pH and high alkalinity and being independent influences (high pH does not necessarily correlate with high alkalinity!).
The dewpoint issue is vitally important since many such floor conditions are misdiagnosed as a "moisture" problem, when in reality it is nothing more than dewpoint which is transient in nature and easily solved with air movement and dehumidifiers rather than an expensive "moisture correction system". I can expand on any of these conditions as needed. |
Jerry Van Scoy
| | Posted on Monday, October 08, 2001 - 04:52 pm: | |
Bob Higgins and others will present a seminar on these issues in Portland, OR on Wed., Nov. 28th. Jim Wilson, SRG Partnership, and current CSI Portland Chapter president is chairing this effort. Called "Moisture Problems in Finish Floor Substrates." This is worth four (4) CEU's. Send me an email if you want more info in respect to registration. |
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