From adhesives with built-in moisture protection to sheet membranes, liquid-applied systems and epoxy systems, more moisture control products are on the market today than in our industry’s history. Yet, moisture-related flooring failures persist, causing us to examine where the real risk lies.
Moisture issues rarely trace back to the control product itself. More often, they result from installer errors or shortcuts that go undetected until weeks or months after the job is finished and the warping, peeling and buckling begin. Successful moisture control includes testing the slab, matching the moisture-control system to conditions and correctly executing the installation. When any step is compromised, even the most sophisticated moisture-control product does not guarantee success.
Here’s a closer look at why:
Rushing or skipping slab testing. The abundance and effectiveness of moisture control products have given some contractors the false confidence that they can eliminate moisture testing without consequence. But before any product is applied, the slab must be tested to ASTM F710 and F2170 standards.
Choosing the wrong solution. Selecting an appropriate moisture-control system starts with understanding what the product is designed to do. Self-leveling underlayments (SLUs), for example, are valuable tools for correcting surface irregularities and creating a smooth, flat substrate. But they are not moisture-mitigation products. An inexperienced or undertrained installer may assume that because an SLU creates a continuous layer over the slab, it also provides moisture protection. It does not. In a typical installation, the SLU is applied after the moisture-mitigation system.
The same mistake can occur when contractors choose a moisture-control solution based on speed and cost. For instance, an adhesive with built-in moisture protection may appear to be a quick, inexpensive choice because it does not add steps to the installation process. However, moisture-resistant adhesives do not stop vapor transmission. They are formulated to tolerate higher moisture conditions without breaking down and losing their adhesive properties; they are not vapor barriers.
Faulty execution. Even when the right moisture-control system is selected, improper installation can undermine performance. For example, a liquid-applied system may be easily rolled, brushed or squeegeed onto the slab, but thickness is critical, and insufficient film is a common failure point. Epoxy systems, which provide a higher level of moisture protection, are even more demanding. A contractor can select the right product based on accurate moisture testing and still experience a failure if the installation crew does not understand the system’s preparation, application or coverage requirements.
Complexity is not a reason to compromise. More involved moisture solutions increase project costs, extend timelines and require broader skill sets, but that doesn’t make them the wrong choice. The objective is to select the system the slab requires and ensure the crew is properly trained to install it correctly. There are no shortcuts to successful moisture control.
David Gross is executive director of INSTALL, the leading organization for floor covering installation training and certification in North America. Prior to this role, he was a full-time instructor for the Eastern Atlantic States Carpenter’s Apprenticeship Training Fund, where he achieved Level III Advanced Instructor Certification. Gross holds a bachelor’s degree in economics, an MBA and is a BCSP Certified Safety Professional with more than 30 years of hands-on flooring installation experience.
