Moisture-Related Flooring Failures

COST

Each year, North American commercial property owners spend an estimated $2.4 billion dollars on remediation of structures and floor coverings as a result of moisture-related flooring failures. There is an additional $1.2 billion dollars spent on topical moisture treatments, of varying effectiveness, in an effort to address moisture issues prior to the first flooring ever being installed.

These incidents add significant cost to any project in terms of project delays, unplanned for expenses associated with costly topical systems, flooring replacement and litigation, as well as the incalculable lost opportunity cost associated with business disruptions.

CAUSES

Concrete Capillary Action

Although there are many sources for the moisture that affects the slab, the two main sources are the “free water” in the concrete itself (roughly 17 gallons per cubic yard) and the moisture rising from below the slab. Moisture is released from the slab through its capillary system and the resulting vapor emission causes re-emulsified adhesive, slab curl, surface dusting, spider cracks, installation delays, added costs… and ultimately, failed flooring.

Inadequate Slab Drying Time

Under ideal conditions, concrete requires 40 days of drying time per inch of thickness. And under unfavorable conditions like high humidity, inclement weather and non-operational HVAC systems that are typical on job-sites, the drying time increases exponentially.
With today’s fast track construction protocols and production schedules that often require the installation of flooring 45 – 60 days after the placement of the concrete slab, spending due to moisture-related flooring failures will only increase.

Insufficient Vapor Barriers / Retarders

Regardless of water table depth or project region, substrate moisture beneath the slab will increase over time to or very near 100% relative humidity. Even in arid climates, a low permeability sheet will collect condensation droplets when placed in contact with the ground.

Barrier-1®, Inc. requires an ASTM E 1745-09 Class A Vapor Barrier maintaining a permeance of 0.01 US perms or less after the required product conditioning specified in ASTM E 1745-09, placed directly under the concrete slab and installed according to ASTM E1643-98 (2005) guidelines. To meet these requirements, Barrier-1® recommends Stego 15 Vapor Barrier.