What is an acceptable moisture reading for concrete?

MFMA recommends the relative humidity level for a concrete slab for a non-glue-down maple floor system be 85% or lower and for glue down systems the concrete slab relative humidity level should be 75% or lower before installation.

How does a concrete moisture meter work?

Pinless or noninvasive moisture meters operate on the principle of electrical impedance. This type of meter provides a nondestructive measurement of moisture in wood and other substrates, such as concrete and gypsum. A noninvasive moisture meter may also be called a nondestructive or a pinless moisture meter.

How can you tell if concrete is dry?

The only way to know if a concrete slab is dry is to test it. The most accurate test for doing this is the in situ relative humidity test. Data logging throughout the drying process allows you to detect drying problems early, correct them, and will aid you to determine what is responsible for slow drying.

What level of moisture is acceptable?

A range of 5 to 12 percent is considered optimal. A reading of up to 17 percent is generally considered moderate moisture and acceptable. Any reading over 17 percent is considered to be an indication of saturation and the need to replace the drywall and to take preventative measures against future moisture buildup.

Can moisture come up through concrete slab?

Concrete’s porous nature means that water from under your home can seep up through your concrete floor, making it damp. Basements and garages – the typical rooms with concrete floors – also suffer from poor air circulation, giving the moisture nowhere to go once it seeps through the floor.

Do moisture meters work on concrete?

Why Moisture Meters Aren’t Enough for Concrete Having a reference scale reading of moisture content in concrete does not give you a quantifiable value to work with. Simply put, moisture meters aren’t designed to provide quantitative readings in concrete.

How do you get moisture out of concrete?

How to stop concrete sweating

1. Dry out the room by air movement: a high volume low speed fan works well.
2. Turn down the air conditioning/turn up the heat to keep the concrete floor temperature and the air temperature at similiar levels.
3. Use a dehumidifier to remove moisture from the air and reduce the condensation.

Will concrete dry if too wet?

When a concrete mixture is too wet, it causes a greater amount of shrinkage during the drying process than is needed. As a result, the concrete has a great likelihood of cracking and for those cracks are likely to be a fairly good size. A watery mix actively reduces the compressive strength of the dried concrete.

Is it OK if it rains after pouring concrete?

Pouring Concrete in Rain. Pouring concrete in the rain can compromise its strength, increasing the tendency for dusting and scaling to develop. Once the damage is done, it can be hard to rectify and will often ruin the appearance of the finished surface. Don’t let it rain on your parade.

How accurate are moisture meters?

A high-quality moisture meter used on the right material can be accurate to within less than 0.1% of the material’s moisture content by weight. However, a low-end moisture meter can be wildly inaccurate.

How do you fix moisture in walls?

The best ways to fix moisture from rising and penetrating damp is through improving surface water drainage, repairing damages, and ventilating the space.

1. Improve surface water drainage. This is the most effective solution for most cases of rising and penetrating dampness.
2. Repair damages.
3. Ventilate the space.

How do you test moisture in concrete?

The easiest way to test for moisture in concrete is to duct tape a 2 foot square piece of plastic right to the concrete floor. Only tape the edges, but make sure they are sealed really good to the concrete.

What is the average moisture content of concrete?

The moisture content in such applications should be in the range of 5 to 8 percent or even less. The pH should be in the 10 range for coating or latex adhesive application. Otherwise, the moisture content in concrete is somewhat irrelevant and it is ok for it to be high as this allows better durability and strength in the concrete.

What is the moisture content of concrete floors?

The allowable moisture content of concrete prior to the application of sealant or coating materials is 5.0% or less on elevated slabs and 12.0% or less when applying to on-grade slabs.