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    • Defelsko CMM Moisture Meter

      Defelsko CMM Moisture Meter

      PosiTest® CMM Concrete Moisture Meter non-destructively measures the moisture content of concrete in accordance with ASTM F2659 The PosiTest CMM Concrete Moisture Meter is the fast, non-destructive impedance meter ideal for inspectors...

      $575.00
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    • DeFelsko Concrete Surface Profile Probe

      DeFelsko Concrete Surface Profile Probe

      Features Simple Fast measurement rate of over 50 readings per minute – ideal for quickly and accurately measuring large surfaces Enhanced one-handed menu navigation RESET feature instantly restores factory settings Durable Alumina wear...

      $650.00
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    • Vapor Score Calcium Chloride Test Kits

      Vapor Score Calcium Chloride Test Kits

      This method has and is the industry standard. Calcium Chloride Test allow you to achieve a quantitative figure which will coincide with floor manufactures requirements.Please note: The measurement obtained performing a Calcium Chloride only reflects the...

      $17.00
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    • VS AWG 100 g Scale

      VS AWG 100 g Scale

      Whether this fits your style or needs - the AMW Series is the portable pocket scale that packs punch and gets the job done! Features: 100g Capacity 0.01g Resolution Backlit LCD Flip-open lid protects the delicate weighing surface Great for...

      $35.00
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    • Verticle

      Rilem Tubes Verticle and Horizontal Plastic

      Rem Tubes (uilsed in the Rilem Test Method provide a simplemethod for measuring the volume of water absorbed by a masonry material within a specified time period. The test can be performedat the site or in the laboratory and can be used to measure...

      $30.00
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    • Kit contains 3 Horizontal, 3 Vertical Rilem Tubes, 1/2 pound of putty, and a water bottle large enough to fill 3 tubes. Save $100 off the Kersten Tube set. An M-TEST Exclusive.

      Rilem Tube Kit

      Kit contains 3 Horizontal, 3 Vertical Rilem Tubes, 1/2 pound of putty, and a water bottle large enough to fill 3 tubes.  Save $100 off the Kersten Tube set.  An M-TEST Exclusive.

      $275.00
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    • Concrete Moisture Meter - 0-6%

      Concrete Moisture Meter - 0-6%

      The TQC Concrete moisture meter is a non-destructive moisture meter for concrete. By means of measuring the electrical impedance the moisture content of concrete can easily be determined by just pressing the instrument against the concrete surface. The...

      $595.00
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    • A simple yet accurate device for monitoring movement in a crack (change in crack width, movement up/down on either side of crack) Glue or fix across a crack and monitor movement in both directions, moving apart or laterally. Simple easy to use and accurate.

      Crack Width Monitor

      A simple yet accurate device for monitoring movement in a crack (change in crack width, movement up/down on either side of crack) Glue or fix across a crack and monitor movement in both directions, moving apart or laterally.  Simple easy to use and...

      $18.00
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    • SUPER-PIG DESTRUCTIVE COATING THICKNESS GAUGE

      SUPER-PIG DESTRUCTIVE COATING THICKNESS GAUGE

      The TQC SP1100 SuperPIG is a destructive precision tool for inspection and thickness measurement on single or multiple coats on virtually all substrates, including wood, plastics, metals etc. Also observes and measures substrate and film defects. Applies...

      $995.00
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    • MECHANICAL CONCRETE TEST HAMMER

      MECHANICAL CONCRETE TEST HAMMER

      Instrument for testing the quality of concrete and other construction materials according to UNI EN 12504-2 and ASTM C805. The recoil-force of the automatic hammer is displayed on the scale and indicates the strength of the concrete...

      $600.00
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    • PosiTector® CMM BASIC KIT

      PosiTector® CMM BASIC KIT

      PosiTector® CMM IS   In Situ Concrete Moisture (RH) Meter PosiTector CMM IS (concrete moisture meter in-situ) probes and free mobile app guide users through the ASTM F2170 documentation criteria. View and record...

      $445.00
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    • PosiTector CMM IS (concrete moisture meter in-situ) probes and free mobile app guide users through the ASTM F2170 documentation criteria. View and record readings wirelessly with your Apple or Android smart device, or PosiTector DPM Advanced gage

      PosiTector® CMM COMPLETE KIT

      PosiTector® CMM IS   In Situ Concrete Moisture (RH) Meter PosiTector CMM IS (concrete moisture meter in-situ) probes and free mobile app guide users through the ASTM F2170 documentation criteria. View and record...

      $775.00
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    • PosiTector® CMM PRO KIT

      PosiTector® CMM PRO KIT

      PosiTector® CMM IS   In Situ Concrete Moisture (RH) Meter PosiTector CMM IS (concrete moisture meter in-situ) probes and free mobile app guide users through the ASTM F2170 documentation criteria. View and record...

      $1,970.00
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    • Complete Kit

      PosiTector® CMM Expansion Packs

      1 Pack CMMIS1PK 1 CMM IS probe1 Saturated Salt Solution1 Calibration Check Chamber1 Cap2 Stackable Probe Extensions2 coin cell batteries 4 Pack CMMIS4PK 4 CMM IS probes4 Saturated Salt Solutions4 Calibration Check Chambers4 Caps8 Stackable...

      $245.00
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    Why Concrete Moisture Measurement is Important

    Before applying a protective coating or other flooring materials to a concrete slab, it is critical to ensure that the moisture level inside the concrete has decreased to acceptable levels—typically ≤75% Relative Humidity (RH), 3 lbs/1000 sq. ft./24 hours MVER, or ≤5% Moisture Content (MC).

    If not, moisture can accumulate below the coating or flooring causing discoloration, cupping, buckling, blistering, adhesive failure, and/or mold growth. There are various methods used for concrete moisture measurement. The two most-common methods utilize non-destructive electronic impedance meters (ASTM F2659) or in situ relative humidity probes (ASTM F2170).

    Proper inspection of the moisture content in concrete before installing a flooring system is a necessary part in quality control and assurance—lowering the chances of a flooring system failure.

    Why is Moisture in Concrete Measured?

    Concrete is a composite building material comprised of an aggregate that bonds with a binding agent. Usually, the aggregate is a mix of crushed rock, granite, limestone, and sand. The binding agent is most commonly Portland cement. When mixing concrete, water must be added to create a workable mix, and to allow the cement to hydrate and cure. After hardening, much of this water remains as moisture within the porous concrete slab. Over the following weeks and months, this moisture is slowly emitted from the concrete until it eventually equalizes with the surrounding moisture levels.  

    If the moisture within the concrete is not allowed to equalize with surrounding conditions before a coating or flooring product is applied, it can accumulate below the flooring or coating, causing discoloration, cupping, buckling, blistering, adhesive failure, and mold growth—leading to potential costly reworks.

    Moisture issues are not isolated to new concrete slabs—a missing or inadequate vapor barrier below the slab can allow moisture from wet or saturated soils to travel through the concrete.

    Concrete moisture content, %RH (relative humidity), and MVER (moisture vapor emission rate), are all measurements that can help indicate the moisture condition within a concrete slab or screed. Often, the goal is to determine if the slab is ready for a flooring system to be installed.

    If readings are not taken—or not taken accurately—before a flooring system is installed, a critical flooring system failure is possible.

    Non-Destructive Concrete Moisture Meters

    Non-destructive concrete moisture meters (or electronic impedance meters)—such as the PosiTest CMM—measure concrete moisture using the principle of electrical impedance of concrete, which is related to concrete moisture. An alternating electric field flows from the device’s transmitting sensor pins through the substrate and is captured by the receiving electrodes. The impedance is measured, with increasing concrete moisture causing an increase in the impedance reading. Using concrete standards with known moisture levels, the meter can be calibrated to read in units of concrete moisture.

    Concrete moisture meters provide an instant result, without the need to drill into the concrete. However, impedance can also be affected by changes in concrete composition or the presence of rebar within close proximity to the surface, so the test is less accurate than invasive options. These meters measure the moisture near the surface of the concrete, so high moisture levels near the center or bottom of the slab may go undetected. ASTM F2659 recommends that non-destructive concrete moisture meters are ideal for use as a comparator to locate areas of relatively high moisture within the slab.

    Other methods for Measuring Concrete Moisture

    There are other less-popular or older methods for determining the moisture content within a concrete slab, such as the calcium chloride method (ASTM F1869), plastic sheet method (ASTM D4263) or the calcium carbide method (ASTM D4944, MilSpec CRD-C154-77).

    Anhydrous Calcium Chloride Moisture Tests

    Anhydrous Calcium Chloride Moisture Tests involve measuring the increase in weight of calcium chloride as it collects moisture from an encapsulated area on the concrete surface. A greater increase in weight indicates greater levels of moisture in the concrete.

    Calcium Chloride Tests are inexpensive, and relatively simple to use. However, they measure moisture only at the surface of the concrete, and require a waiting period before results are available, typically 24 hours. There is no practical way to calibrate these kits, and they can be heavily influenced by ambient conditions.

    What parts of a Concrete Slab are Measured with Different Moisture Meters and Test Methods?

    Depending on the test method or instrument used, different depths of the concrete or screed slab are measured. The following graphic illustrates the difference between three of the most popular test methods—anhydrous calcium chloride moisture tests, in situ relative humidity probes, and electrical impedance concrete moisture meters.

    Anhydrous Calcium Chloride Moisture Tests, as described by ASTM F1869, measure MVER (Moisture Vapor Emission Rate) from the surface of the concrete slab, usually the top ½–¾ inch of the sample being measured.

    In Situ Relative Humidity Probes, such as the PosiTector CMM IS, as described in ASTM F2170, measure at 40% depth of a concrete slab that is being dried on one side (top) or 20% depth of a concrete slab that is drying from two sides (top and bottom). In the illustration below, the slab is representative of being 6 inches thick and being dried on one side. 40% of 6 inches is 2.4 inches.

    Non-Destructive Electrical Impedance Concrete Moisture Meters, such as the PosiTest CMM, as described in ASTM F2659, generally measure moisture content down to ¾–1 inch from the top of the concrete slab.

    ‍

    What Standards are Used to Determine the Moisture Conditions and Moisture Content within a Concrete or Screed Slab?

    The following standards are used to determine the moisture content and moisture condition within a concrete or screed slab:

    ASTM F2659—Standard Guide for Preliminary Evaluation of Comparative Moisture Condition of Concrete, Gypsum Cement and Other Floor Slabs and Screeds Using a Non-Destructive Electronic Moisture Meter

    The outlines and procedures within ASTM F2659 guide the user through conducting relativistic moisture tests with an electrical impedance meter. It defines proper ambient conditions and preparatory tasks to be completed before performing the measurements.

    ASTM F2170—Standard Test Method for Determining Relative Humidity in Concrete Floor Slabs Using in situ Probes

    In situ concrete moisture (RH) probes—such as the PosiTector CMM IS—described in ASTM F2170 are designed to determine % RH (relative humidity) within a concrete slab. With the limitation of anhydrous calcium chloride tests and impedance meters only measuring the moisture condition within the top 1 inch of a concrete slab, a full understanding of absolute moisture content has been impossible with those methods.

    ASTM F1869—Standard Test Method for Measuring Moisture Vapor Emission Rate of Concrete Subfloor Using Anhydrous Calcium Chloride

    The Anhydrous Calcium Chloride method seeks to determine the rate of emissivity of water from concrete slabs—an indication of capillary action or “movement of water”. Once MVER (moisture vapor emission rate) is measured per ASTM F1869, determination to install a flooring system may take place.

    ASTM D4263—Standard Test Method for Indicating Moisture in Concrete by the Plastic Sheet Method

    ASTM D4263 outlines the use of an 18 x 18 inch (45.7 x 45.7 cm) sheet of polyethylene plastic, stretched taught and taped (sealed) to the surface of a concrete slab. After 16 hours, the inspector removes the plastic and identifies if moisture is present on either the plastic sheet or the underlying concrete.

    MilSpec CRD-C154-77—Standard Test Method For Determination Of Moisture In Fine Aggregate For Concrete By Means Of A Calcium-Carbide Gas Pressure Meter

    The MilSpec CRD-C154-77 standard guides the user through the calcium-carbide method of determining moisture content of a concrete or screed slab. It requires the use of a pressure chamber and gage to measure the reaction of combining calcium carbide and a sample of the concrete or screed slab.*†

    ASTM F710—Standard Practice for Preparing Concrete Floors to Receive Resilient Flooring

    ASTM F710 is not specifically a guide to concrete moisture testing, but a holistic practice used to establish suitability of a concrete slab to receive a resilient flooring system.