Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Preventing Moisture-Related Flooring Issues

Concrete slabs are the most common flooring base used in a range of buildings, including schools. Unfortunately, excessive moisture found in concrete slabs prior to a flooring installation can cause significant floor-covering system failures such as debonding of coatings, microbial growth and flooring expansion.

There are several steps that can be taken to mitigate and potentially prevent moisture issues before a floor covering is installed. These apply to either new or remodel projects.

The first step is to conduct moisture testing. Substrate surfaces must be tested for moisture emission prior to starting the installation. Most manufacturers and flooring installation contractors recommend relative humidity probe moisture testing, as the results of this type of test are typically more accurate, reliable and consistent than other testing methods.

If moisture emission is discovered then proper precautions, such as the use of several topical applications prior to the flooring installation, can be used for moisture mitigation. Some of these topical applications include using reactive penetrants and moisture-retarding coatings.

Finally, consider selecting a floor covering that has a higher tolerance for moisture and can perform on concrete slabs with elevated relative humidity levels. Some flooring options, such as textile composite flooring, perform in areas with elevated moisture. The breathable nature of these flooring products allows moisture to pass through the backing rather than trap it underneath. This method of vapor transmission enables the flooring to be installed with no moisture mitigation as long as the relative humidity test reads 95 percent or below.

Taking these steps prior to installation can save money and mitigate potential flooring system failures.

This article originally appeared in the issue of .

About the Author

David Daughtrey is the director of business development for education with J+J Flooring Group.

Featured

  • Tennessee Middle School Completes Health, Life Safety Renovations

    The Giles County Board of Education in Pulaski, Tenn., recently announced that a series of renovation projects has been completed at Bridgeforth Middle School, according to a news release. The district partnered with Wold Architects & Engineers and Brindley Construction to modernize building systems at one of the district’s oldest schools.

  • Universities Continue to Launch Multimillion-Dollar Campus Transformations

    What makes the current wave of campus development especially noteworthy is its emphasis on multi-use functionality and community integration. Institutions are no longer investing solely in academic or athletic facilities in isolation. Instead, they are creating destinations that blend recreation, health, housing, and event-driven economic activity.

  • California K–12 District Finishes Renovations on Multi-Sport Stadium

    The Alameda Unified School District (AUSD) in Alameda, Calif., recently announced the completion of a renovation project on the Encinal Jr. & Sr. High School stadium, according to a news release. The district partnered with Quattrocchi Kwok Architects (QKA) and Bothman Construction on the facility, and funding came from Bond Measure B.

  • Houston-Area High School Breaks Ground on 117,000SF Multi-Use Facility

    North Shore Senior High School, part of Galena Park ISD in Houston, Texas, recently broke ground on a new multi-use facility for student extracurriculars, according to a news release. The North Shore Multi-Use Facility will include dedicated practice and training space for the school’s athletics and fine arts programs.