How to Test for Water Vapor in a Concrete Floor Slab
Concrete slabs are used in a large majority of homes built today, and prove to be a generally effective and efficient material. Even when slabs are built exactly to structural specifications, they have a tendency to absorb moisture and water vapor from surrounding soil. While small amounts of moisture are usually not a problem for flooring materials, water vapor can lead to damage and mold. Concrete slab moisture is most often not noticeable, but using simple and cheap materials available at any hardware store, you can effectively test for traces of water vapor. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Clean all dust and debris from the concrete slab using a vacuum cleaner, and concrete floor cleaner if necessary. If using a concrete floor cleaner, you will need to wait for it to completely dry before moving on.
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2
Cut a 24 by 24-inch square out of a sheet of construction plastic (any weight plastic will work) using scissors.
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Lay the square plastic sheet on the clean concrete surface and apply two strips of duct tape (overlapping) around the edge of the plastic sheet. Press the tape firmly to ensure a good bond to the concrete and plastic. Leave the plastic for at least 24 hours before moving on.
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4
Peel the tape and plastic sheet from the concrete slab; if there is any sign of moisture on the bottom side of the plastic (fog, water droplets, etc.), water vapor is present in the concrete floor slab. Call a concrete specialist for further testing and action.
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