Testing slabs

[Chad Deiter Company]

It's funny that Dave listed cement tiles.

[Dave Gobis]

I agree with Steve, again. When large format first got popular we used to get a lot of calls where a 6x6 or 8x8 had previously been installed for years with no problems other than it was ugly. Shortly after they installed 18x18 they developed an efflorescence issue. Simple reduction in airflow caused the issue.

Not sure how I feel about adding moisture standards to tile installations. So far, I have seen a few instances of salesmen abuse on damp slabs. In several cases the sales person was trying to sell epoxy based moisture encapsulation systems with epoxy setting systems on thinset jobs. I'm sure a company would never establish an unobtainable moisture requirement just to sell an encapsulation system.

[Autoplay]

Will be 30 years in May,being in this business.....and not once have I done a moisture test on a slab,let alone asked to do so.

Years ago in CA,on commercial jobs,occasionally the job would spec a bond test.....which involved cleaning the substrate/concrete,bonding tile with product to be used etc,and then leaving it untouched etc for thirty days.

Then a company would come in,and see what the shear strength was etc.

Feel for ya Chad,and IMO,someone putting you under the bus. Only peeps I've seen do moisture tests,is wood/vinyl peeps,as they use glues and materials,that are moisture sensitive.

[Chad Deiter Company]

Makes me feel better Rich

[alex.h]

just to folow.. the ph levels? is it relation with salt water or alkaly?

i know what ph is but, i was never asked to test it.
but i have to agree with you guys i have seen moisture test being done but never was it trown at me as a back pocket argument

chad next thing they are going to ask you is a seismologic survey of your region?
(i am being sarcastic)

[Chad Deiter Company]

And a soil sample. I think moisture brings out the salts in high PH is what I am guessing.