The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) has created a list of standards for how flooring contractors must perform calcium chloride tests. This standard is designed to ensure that the most accurate results are gathered and that flooring contractors know what to do to minimize the moisture from concrete flooring.
When floor covers over a concrete subfloor fail, a major cause of that is moisture that passes through the concrete. Flooring installers must anticipate the type of moisture they will face. If they do not, they may make incorrect preparations. These mistakes can lead to a floor covering that fails.
The ASTM 1869 kit is the most current as of 2017, and it helps flooring experts test for concrete dryness.
The ASTM 1869 procedures are as follows:
- Remove a 20”x 20” area of old floor (such as the floor covering, coating, bond-breaker, curing compound, etc.)
- Prep or condition the area at least 48 hours before conducting the test.
- Let out gas for 24 hours.
- Acclimate for 24 hours.
- Weigh the CaCl crystals before installing while on site.
- Install three test kits for the first 1000 square feet, and one test for every 1000 square feet after that.
- Calculate the moisture emission rate in terms of lbs/1000 sq. ft./24 hours.
The ASTM E-1907-97 variation uses the same kits. Installers place them every 500 sq. ft. They also out-gas and acclimate for 48 hours. In this scenario, the standard does not require installers to remove a specified floor area before the test.
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