ICRI Certified Moisture Testing for Flooring

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This test method involves drilling holes to 40 percent of the slab thickness – usually   2 -3 inches down. This measures moisture inside the slab, which is a more accurate way of predicting what will happen in the future.

• Meet Flooring Manufacturer’s (carpet, vct, resilient flooring, laminate & hardwood, ceramic tile) Warranty Requirements.
• Contractual Requirements.
• Minimize Liabilities for flooring failures.
• Fast Tracking a Project over Green Concrete

The calcium chloride test has limitations because it only measures moisture vapor emissions from the very top of the slab – less than 1 inch down. Because most concrete slabs dry from the top down, they are often dryer at the top than on the bottom, until you cover it with flooring. 

When impervious finish materials are installed over a concrete slab, these materials block the moisture attempting to move through the concrete slab. If the amount of moisture moving through the slab is high moisture can collect, and possibly condense under the floor covering.  Residual moisture from adhesives (water-based) and patching compounds can also get trapped between the backing and the concrete slab and cause problems, especially to moisture sensitive materials.  

The installation products (adhesives, moisture control system) and the flooring manufacturer determine the testing method.  The adhesive or mortar manufacturer states on its technical data sheets which method is required for the warranty.  If the MVER is outside of the acceptable range, a moisture control system will be needed.