Technical Information

ASTM Moisture Testing Due to the sensitive nature of adhesives used when installing resilient flooring products, Jan’s Flooring adheres to stringent testing to ensure a successful and long-lasting installation. Part of prepping each job site is performing moisture testing. Jan’s uses the ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) International standard tests. ASTM International provides global standards for high quality industry testing. Our testing process includes: Moisture Dome - ASTM International Standard Test Method for Measuring Moisture Vapor Emission Rate of Concrete Subfloor Using Anhydrous Calcium Chloride (F 1869 – 04) In Situ Probe - ASTM International Standard Test Method for Determining Relative Humidity in Concrete Floor Slabs Using in situ Probes (F 2170 – 02) The calcium chloride or “moisture dome” test is well established and reliable, and it has remained the industry standard for moisture testing.   This test uses a dome placed on top of a concrete slab to measure the dryness, and determine whether it will retain an installation. The ASTM F 1869 – 04 measures the “rate of moisture vapor emission from a concrete floor and whether or not that floor is acceptable to receive resilient floor covering.”  It has been pointed out, while accurate when performed in ideal conditions, the dome test may only read moisture levels in a shallow depth below the surface. Recently some flooring manufacturers have advised the use of an “in-situ” or “in place” relative humidity test. This test uses an internal probe to measure levels of moisture vapor in the concrete slab. Jan’s uses the ASTM F 2170 – 02 to supplement the F 1869 – 02. A probe into the slab allows for more accuracy, and is less likely to be disrupted by temperature fluctuations above the surface or substances on the exterior of the concrete that may skew the results.  This test comes at a higher cost and requires specific equipment. Both tests provide good measurable results and help determine whether a concrete substrate will accept and retain resilient flooring as installed. Jan’s performs one or both tests at all job sites to guarantee the highest standards for an installation are achieved.