Vapor Transmission Test Kits

Make sure to test moisture vapor transmission and alkalinity of the concrete slab before painting, coating, or installing flooring. The calcium chloride test kits and pH test kits from VaporGauge make it easy and affordable for flooring contractors, as well as homeowners.

The test kits are complete and include free support and services:

• alkalinity pH test kits (one for each vapor kit)
• pre-weighed calcium chloride test dish
• vapor transmission calculator available on the Internet
• weighing of the results is available at no charge
• an official report is available at no charge.

Calcium chloride test kits

The calcium chloride test kits measure the water vapor transmission rate from the surface of a concrete slab. Also called dome test kits, they use the Anhydrous Calcium Chloride Vapor Emission Method and comply with ASTM (American Society for Testing Materials).

As a desiccant, calcium chloride absorbs moisture from the air. A small container with calcium chloride is placed on the concrete floor and covered by a plastic dome. A unique, heavy-duty red dome helps prevent tripping accidents. The vapor transmission rate is calculated from the weight difference of the calcium chloride at the beginning and end of the test.

ASTM recommends 3 kits for the first 1,000 sq. ft. and at least 1 kit for each additional 1,000 sq. ft.

Alkalinity pH test kits

New concrete is very caustic, which may attack adhesives, paints, and flooring materials. As concrete ages and reacts with carbon dioxide in the air, the alkalinity of its surface gradually decreases.

One pH test kit is included with each vapor test kit. ASTM recommends a pH test along with the vapor emissions test. Flooring manufacturers insist on pH testing before the installation of flooring.

Digital electronic scale

You can send the calcium chloride container back to VaporGauge for weighing and a formal report. Or you can get it weighed in a friendly drugstore. Or, purchase the high-precision pocket scale, which has many other potential uses.

The scale features a beautiful modern design, a large backlit LCD display, a stainless steel platform, and multiple units and functions. Accuracy 0.1 gram and capacity 150 grams (5.291 oz.).

Price and Shipping

Normally shipped the same or next business day. Delivery by courier in 3 to 5 business days. Shipping costs are valid for the lower 48 states. For shipping express, other states or Canada, please contact us for shipping rates.

Why did my new beautiful floor fail?

Moisture emissions from concrete and its pH level make or break the success of any floor covering installation. The flooring manufacturers’ warranty becomes void if moisture or alkalinity exceed stated limits.

Concrete is very porous. Water vapor from the concrete or the ground below flows through the pores and gets trapped under impermeable coating or flooring. The vapor pressure can lift epoxy coating or vinyl tiles. High moisture will buckle hardwood floors. Trapped moisture can cause molds, which also attack wood flooring.

New concrete is very caustic with a typical pH of 11 to 13. As it ages, it reacts with carbon dioxide in the air and the alkalinity of its surface gradually drops. The alkali from concrete, mainly lime - the by-product of its curing, attack and break down adhesives, paints, vinyl tiles, carpet padding, etc.

When the alkali attack plastics, it may cause “plasticizer migration” into the concrete, resulting in a noxious smell from the concrete even after the flooring has been removed. (Instead of removing the slab, seal it with RadonSeal!).

Concrete may pass now but flooring may fail later

Once the concrete surface is covered, water cannot evaporate and the moisture levels equalize through the slab. This may also bring to the surface more alkali from inside the concrete.

When the concrete slab is exposed to water from the ground, it slowly deteriorates the concrete. The pores get larger and the concrete wicks up water or passes more water vapor.

So, the vapor transmission and alkalinity tests cannot offer a 100% guarantee of long-term successful floor covering installation. There is still some uncertainty. No wonder that the flooring manufacturers set the limits conservatively low.

The limits on vapor transmission and pH

Most flooring manufacturers and ASTM set the vapor transmission limit at 3 lbs/1,000 sq. ft./24 hours. That means less than ½ gallon of water may pass through an area of 1,000 sq. ft. per day.

However, a manufacturer reports that 96% of tested slabs exceed the limit.  Really porous slabs exceed 10 or even 15 lbs/1,000 sq. ft./24 hours.

The flooring warranties require that the alkalinity of the concrete surface cannot exceed pH level 9.

The concrete must be at least 1 month old before installing flooring but many contractors wait for several months.

Some slabs may be very porous due to the concrete mix or a high water/cement ratio. Some flooring manufacturers now insist that there must be a sub-slab vapor retarder.

How to reduce vapor transmission and alkalinity

There are epoxy or hybrid coatings, and special membranes. Many flooring contractors just put down a plastic sheet before installing hardwood flooring.

The moisture and alkalinity will over time break down any coating. Plastic sheets or membranes trap all moisture and may cause molds and mildew. But this takes time and will usually outlast the 5-year warranty on flooring.

The better solution is to deep-seal the concrete slab with RadonSeal Penetrating Concrete Sealer. It reacts deep inside the concrete and seals it permanently. As it passes through the surface, it neutralizes lime and alkalis, reducing its alkalinity. It hardens the surface but does not change its profile – leaves the concrete suitable for paints, adhesives, thinset, etc.

Wait at least 10 days and seal the slab again with Ion-Bond Armor. It also seals inside the concrete, has smaller molecules and bonds with RadonSeal. The surface remains suitable for paints or adhesives. This sealer combination was successful on slabs exceeding 14 lbs/1,000/24 and is easy to apply for contractors or homeowners.

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telephone (203) 225-0366 or toll-free 1-800-472-0603

MADE IN USA
Products not sold through retail stores. Available exclusively from:
Radon Mitigation & Waterproofing Concrete Sealer Co.
Novion Inc., 18 L'Hermitage Drive, Shelton, CT 06484 USA
RadonSeal™ is a registered trademark. Copyright © 1998-2008. All rights reserved.

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