How to Test Moisture in Concrete Floors
Mitigate moisture concerns before your concrete floors get swamped
Moisture in a home can be highly problematic. Concrete in particular absorbs and releases moisture and can potentially warp any wood flooring you put down if it has an elevated humidity content. You can stay ahead of any issues by keeping tabs on your home's moisture level. Looking for a DIY way to start? Here is how to test moisture in concrete floors.
Why Is It Important to Test a Concrete Floor for Moisture?
It is important to test a concrete floor for moisture before you install flooring or apply a coating, like primer. This is because, while your concrete can look dry, it actually has a moisture content. This can come from the ground if the floor lacks a proper vapor barrier or from moisture in the air.
Your coating and flooring materials can handle certain thresholds of moisture, so you need to test your concrete and make sure its moisture levels are OK for what you want to install.
Check the manufacturer’s instructions for your concrete coating product or flooring materials to find out how much moisture your concrete floor can have.
If you skip this step and your concrete floor’s moisture content is too high, you may have to deal with issues down the road, like cracks and bubbling in your flooring, mold, warping, and more. Protect your investment in flooring installation costs by doing the proper preparation beforehand.
How to Conduct a Concrete Flooring Moisture Test
You can choose between a couple of concrete moisture tests—the plastic sheet method or the calcium chloride test.
Using Plastic Sheet Squares
1. Cut Up Sheets of Plastic Into Squares
In order to test moisture emissions from concrete, you will need to create a plastic entrapment on the concrete that will show any beads of moisture. Measure out a square around two feet in length from a roll of polyethylene sheeting and carefully cut it with scissors or a razor blade, making sure not to create any tears or snags.
2. Tape the Plastic to the Concrete
Choose a dry area of your concrete floor and tightly tape plastic all along the edge of your square so it creates an airtight seal that will trap any moisture within. Run your fingernail along each tape edge to ensure a proper seal.
3. Inspect the Plastic
After 48 hours, return to your test site to inspect the plastic. If there are droplets of moisture on top of the plastic, the room is humid and generating moisture. If you peel up the plastic and find it is damp beneath, you might have a moisture problem in your concrete. Conversely, if there are no immediate signs of water, moisture levels in the concrete are likely at safe levels.
4. Dehumidify and Test Again
If you find damp plastic, you can run a dehumidifier in the room and try the test again after a day or so to double-check your initial effort. You can also use a moisture meter for an accurate reading on levels and to measure the humidity in your home. Wagner Meters is one brand that produces these devices found at home improvement stores.
Using a Calcium Chloride Test
An alternate method to use is the calcium chloride test method. Place a dish of calcium chloride within the airtight plastic dome to get a visual of the moisture vapor emission (MVE) rate that your concrete slab produces. According to the Association for Materials Protection and Performance, once you place the dish beneath the plastic, wait for 60 to 72 hours, then weigh the dish to record pounds of water emitted per 1,000 square feet. This test can be effective, but it is not foolproof as it evaluates the top half-inch of the concrete slab, where 90% of MVE occurs. If you want to measure deeper than ¾ inch below the concrete surface, you will need to use a backup method to ensure that you are getting an accurate read on the moisture condition.
Tips for Testing Your Concrete Floor’s Moisture Levels
To get the proper reading for your concrete floor moisture level, it is best to conduct your test after you run the HVAC for 48 hours.
Also, if you want the most accurate reading possible, you can call in a pro to conduct a relative humidity (RH) test. They will drill holes into the floor and use a thermo-hygrometer to check readings deep in the concrete. This option will help you figure out the actual moisture levels inside the slab, rather than what is on the surface.
DIY Concrete Moisture Test vs. Hiring a Pro
The best DIY methods for testing your concrete moisture levels are the plastic sheeting method and the calcium chloride test, which you can purchase for around $20. If you are familiar with drilling holes into concrete, you can get a RH test kit, although this can cost as much as $820. So, unless you are planning on doing multiple construction projects, it is likely better bang for your buck to call in a pro to do the thermo-hygrometer test for you.
If you suspect a more serious moisture issue in your home, you will want to hire a flooring company near you. You can also reach out to a waterproofing contractor or mold remediation company.
The actual moisture level that is acceptable for your concrete floor depends on what primer or flooring material you plan to install above it. For this reason, you should check the manufacturer’s instructions for the exact details.
Generally, the moisture levels should be 3.5% to 4.5%, although it does vary. Some products can handle higher levels of moisture, so you should always test your concrete before purchasing your flooring materials.
If the moisture level in your concrete flooring is higher than what is acceptable for your primer or flooring materials, then you are looking at dealing with major flooring issues down the road. From mold and mildew, to warping, buckling, bubbling, and soft spots, you could see a wide range of moisture-induced problems.
These issues can affect not just your flooring but your foundation too. That is why measuring moisture in concrete is so important before starting a project.
You primarily need to be concerned about the moisture level in concrete when you are dealing with a basement or other below-ground part of your house. If you find any indication of moisture in your subterranean space, consider calling in a professional for further testing and moisture control solutions.
When you are laying hardwood flooring—or any other material that does not flex well with humidity—you will want to check the moisture level of your subfloor before proceeding. Flooring like luxury vinyl tile and bamboo performs better than more rigid materials in environments where moisture might be present. However, thorough testing is always an excellent preventative measure to control and monitor water in your home.
