Interior Flooring Manual
Minimum Smoothness (F F /F L ) Concrete slabs must conform to the requirements of ACI 302 and be within the tolerances of ACI 117. ACI 117 specifies that overall conformance to design grade must be within 3/4 in. (19.1 mm) of design elevation. Prior to installation, the installer must obtain either a report from the project general contractor stating that the substrate has been tested in accordance with ASTM E1155, or must test and verify the condition themselves. Moisture and Alkalinity Testing Lonseal requires that moisture and alkalinity testing be performed and documented by an accredited engineering firm, laboratory, or person prior to the installation date so that corrective measures may be performed as necessary. The flooring contractor is to ensure testing has been completed prior to initiating installation. If necessary, a certified concrete slab moisture testing technician (CCSMTT) may be located at www.icri.org . In all forms of concrete, moisture drive can carry alkaline salts to the surface which can chemically react with the adhesive, eventually destroying the bond. The presence of alkaline concentrations can indicate elevated moisture vapor emission. Regardless of age or grade level, testing for moisture and alkalinity must be conducted in strict accordance to the following three, required tests: ASTM F1869: calcium chloride test ASTM F2170: relative humidity test ASTM F3441: alkalinity test Be aware that testing per the above standards applies to a single concrete slab. For installations that will occur across multiple slabs, each must be tested separately. All three tests are required in order to provide the flooring contractor with the most data possible, so that fully informed decisions may be made. When performing ASTM F3441, only results from an electronic pH meter will be accepted by Lonseal. The use of pH test paper is not acceptable, as the possibility for improper evaluation exists, whether from the variations in paper by the manufacturer or between different manufacturers, or human error in determining the results. All testing must be fully documented and include all the information required per each test method. All equipment used for testing must be properly calibrated prior to testing, and evidence of calibration must be documented along with the test conditions and results. The required results for each test will vary by Lonseal adhesive. Refer to each adhesive’s TDS for these requirements. If results exceed these limits, a moisture mitigation system (MMS) must be used to avoid installation failure. If necessary, please contact Lonseal’s Technical Department for additional guidance. Disclaimer: Test results can only indicate the slab condition at the time of testing. Moisture vapor emissions are subject to seasonal fluctuations and site conditions, and any subsequent damages are beyond the control of Lonseal. Installation of the flooring constitutes acceptance of the slab and acknowledgement by the general contractor, flooring contractor, architect, design team, or building owner that the slab or substrate meets all Lonseal requirements and recommendations for site conditions. Reports that are completed by an unaccredited or uncertified source, contain insufficient documentation, or performed incorrectly will not be considered by Lonseal. Vapor Retarders Vapor retarders must always be used beneath new on- or below-grade concrete slabs per ASTM E1745. For existing on- or below- grade slabs, the presence of a vapor retarder must be verified. If none is present, a moisture mitigation system (MMS) must be applied. Moisture Mitigation Systems If a moisture mitigation system (MMS) is to be applied, the slab’s moisture test results should be utilized to determine which MMS is most suitable. This may be done by contacting the MMS manufacturer for their recommendations. When contacting the manufacturer, they should also be informed whether a vapor retarder is present or not, and confirm the compatibility of their product with Lonseal adhesives and any substrate preparation materials used. Refer to Patching Compounds on page 9. All installed MMS must meet the requirements of ASTM F3010 or ASTM F3513. Disclaimer: The installer is responsible for confirming compatibility of all components in a flooring system. The use of a bond test can help assure the installer of compatibility between the flooring system components and the MMS. Refer to Bond Tests on page 10.
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Revised: 9.20.2024
Disclaimer: Printed documents are uncontrolled. Always refer to www.lonseal.com for the most current technical information.
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