ASTM F2659-10(2015)

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

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Moisture in concrete floor slabs affects the performance of flooring systems such as resilient, wood, and textile floor coverings and coatings. Manufacturers of such systems generally require moisture testing be performed before installation of coverings on floor slabs and screeds. The measurement of sub-surface comparative moisture condition in the upper 1.0 in. (25.4 mm) stratum of a concrete slab with a non-destructive moisture meter is one such method.  
5.2 Excessive moisture in floor slabs after installation can cause floor covering system failures such as delamination, bonding failure, deterioration of finish flooring and coatings, and microbial growth.  
5.3 5.3 Comparative moisture content tests indicate the moisture in the slab, which is usually referenced to the percentage of dry weight. That is:
Results indicate conditions at the time of the test.  
5.4 Methods of meter calibration and factors affecting equilibration are described in Section 8.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide focuses on obtaining the comparative moisture condition within the upper 1.0 in. (25.4 mm) stratum in concrete, gypsum, anhydrite floor slabs and screeds for field tests. Due to the wide variation of material mixtures and additives used in floor slabs and screeds, this methodology may not be appropriate for all applications. See 1.2 through 1.8 and Section 11. Where appropriate or when specified use further testing as outlined in Test Methods F1869, F2170 or F2420 before installing a resilient floor covering.  
1.2 This guide is intended for use to determine if there are moisture-related conditions existing on, or in, the floor slabs that could adversely impact the successful application and performance of resilient flooring products.  
1.3 This guide may be used to aid in the diagnosis of failures of installed resilient flooring.  
1.4 This guide is intended to be used in conjunction with meter manufacturer’s operation instructions and interpretive data where available.  
1.5 Where possible, or when results need to be quantified use this standard guide to determine where additional testing such as Test Methods F1869, F2170, or F2420 as specified to characterize the floor slab and the test area environment for moisture, humidity and temperature conditions.  
1.6 This guide may not be suitable for areas that have surface applied moisture migration systems, curing compounds or coatings that cannot be removed or cleaned off sufficiently to allow the moisture to move upwards through the slab. For a floor slab of 6 in. (150 mm) plus thickness, low porosity slabs, slabs with no vapor retarder installed, and slabs where the above surface environmental conditions can have a greater than normal influence on the moisture reduction gradient of the floor slab or screed, consider Test Method F2170 (below surface in situ rh method) as a more suitable test method under these circumstances.  
1.7 This guide is not intended to provide quantitative results as a basis for acceptance of a floor for installation of moisture sensitive flooring finishes systems. Test Methods F1869, F2170, or F2420 provide quantitative information for determining if moisture levels are within specific limits. Results from this guide do not provide vital information when evaluating thick slabs, slabs without effective vapor retarders directly under the slab, lightweight aggregate concrete floors, and slabs with curing compound or sealers on the surface.  
1.8 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
1.9 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitatio...

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Apr-2015
• ICS: 91.060.30 - Ceilings. Floors. Stairs
• Technical Committee: F06 - Resilient Floor Coverings
• Drafting Committee: F06.40 - Practices

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: F2659 − 10 (Reapproved 2015)
Standard Guide for
Preliminary Evaluation of Comparative Moisture Condition
of Concrete, Gypsum Cement and Other Floor Slabs and
1
Screeds Using a Non-Destructive Electronic Moisture Meter
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2659; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope normalinfluenceonthemoisturereductiongradientofthefloor
slab or screed, consider Test Method F2170 (below surface in
1.1 This guide focuses on obtaining the comparative mois-
situ rh method) as a more suitable test method under these
ture condition within the upper 1.0 in. (25.4 mm) stratum in
circumstances.
concrete, gypsum, anhydrite floor slabs and screeds for field
tests. Due to the wide variation of material mixtures and 1.7 This guide is not intended to provide quantitative results
additivesusedinfloorslabsandscreeds,thismethodologymay as a basis for acceptance of a floor for installation of moisture
not be appropriate for all applications. See 1.2 through 1.8 and sensitive flooring finishes systems. Test Methods F1869,
Section 11. Where appropriate or when specified use further F2170,or F2420 provide quantitative information for deter-
testing as outlined in Test Methods F1869, F2170 or F2420 mining if moisture levels are within specific limits. Results
before installing a resilient floor covering. from this guide do not provide vital information when evalu-
ating thick slabs, slabs without effective vapor retarders di-
1.2 This guide is intended for use to determine if there are
rectlyundertheslab,lightweightaggregateconcretefloors,and
moisture-related conditions existing on, or in, the floor slabs
slabs with curing compound or sealers on the surface.
that could adversely impact the successful application and
performance of resilient flooring products. 1.8 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
1.3 This guide may be used to aid in the diagnosis of
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
failures of installed resilient flooring.
and are not considered standard.
1.4 This guide is intended to be used in conjunction with
1.9 This standard does not purport to address all of the
meter manufacturer’s operation instructions and interpretive
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
data where available.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
1.5 Where possible, or when results need to be quantified
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
use this standard guide to determine where additional testing
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific warnings
such as Test Methods F1869, F2170,or F2420 as specified to
are given in Section 7.
characterize the floor slab and the test area environment for
2. Referenced Documents
moisture, humidity and temperature conditions.
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.6 This guide may not be suitable for areas that have
D4259 Practice for Abrading Concrete
surfaceappliedmoisturemigrationsystems,curingcompounds
F1869 Test Method for Measuring Moisture Vapor Emission
orcoatingsthatcannotberemovedorcleanedoffsufficientlyto
Rate of Concrete Subfloor Using Anhydrous Calcium
allow the moisture to move upwards through the slab. For a
Chloride
floor slab of 6 in. (150 mm) plus thickness, low porosity slabs,
F2170 Test Method for Determining Relative Humidity in
slabs with no vapor retarder installed, and slabs where the
Concrete Floor Slabs Using in situ Probes
abovesurfaceenvironmentalconditionscanhaveagreaterthan
F2420 Test Method for Determining Relative Humidity on
1
ThisguideisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeF06onResilientFloor
2
Coverings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F06.40 on Practices. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
CurrenteditionapprovedMay1,2015.PublishedJuly2015.Originallyapproved contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
in 2010. Last previous edition approved in 2010 as F2659-10. DOI: 10.1520/F2659- Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10R15. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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F2659 − 10 (2015)
the Surface of Concrete Floor Slabs Using Relative
Humidity Probe Measurement and Insulated Hood (With-
3
drawn 2014)
NOTE 1—Also see Related Documents section at the end of this
standard.
3. Term
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: F2659 − 10 F2659 − 10 (Reapproved 2015)
Standard Guide for
Preliminary Evaluation of Comparative Moisture Condition
of Concrete, Gypsum Cement and Other Floor Slabs and
1
Screeds Using a Non-Destructive Electronic Moisture Meter
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2659; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This guide focuses on obtaining the comparative moisture condition within the upper 1.0 in. (25.4 mm) stratum in concrete,
gypsum, anhydrite floor slabs and screeds for field tests. Due to the wide variation of material mixtures and additives used in floor
slabs and screeds, this methodology may not be appropriate for all applications. See 1.2 through 1.8 and Section 11. Where
appropriate or when specified use further testing as outlined in Test Methods F1869, F2170 or F2420 before installing a resilient
floor covering.
1.2 This guide is intended for use to determine if there are moisture-related conditions existing on, or in, the floor slabs that
could adversely impact the successful application and performance of resilient flooring products.
1.3 This guide may be used to aid in the diagnosis of failures of installed resilient flooring.
1.4 This guide is intended to be used in conjunction with meter manufacturer’s operation instructions and interpretive data
where available.
1.5 Where possible, or when results need to be quantified use this standard guide to determine where additional testing such
as Test Methods F1869, F2170, or F2420 as specified to characterize the floor slab and the test area environment for moisture,
humidity and temperature conditions.
1.6 This guide may not be suitable for areas that have surface applied moisture migration systems, curing compounds or
coatings that cannot be removed or cleaned off sufficiently to allow the moisture to move upwards through the slab. For a floor
slab of 6 in. (150 mm) plus thickness, low porosity slabs, slabs with no vapor retarder installed, and slabs where the above surface
environmental conditions can have a greater than normal influence on the moisture reduction gradient of the floor slab or screed,
consider Test Method F2170 (below surface in situ rh method) as a more suitable test method under these circumstances.
1.7 This guide is not intended to provide quantitative results as a basis for acceptance of a floor for installation of moisture
sensitive flooring finishes systems. Test Methods F1869, F2170, or F2420 provide quantitative information for determining if
moisture levels are within specific limits. Results from this guide do not provide vital information when evaluating thick slabs,
slabs without effective vapor retarders directly under the slab, lightweight aggregate concrete floors, and slabs with curing
compound or sealers on the surface.
1.8 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.9 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use. Specific warnings are given in Section 7.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D4259 Practice for Abrading Concrete
F1869 Test Method for Measuring Moisture Vapor Emission Rate of Concrete Subfloor Using Anhydrous Calcium Chloride
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F06 on Resilient Floor Coverings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F06.40 on Practices.
Current edition approved July 1, 2010May 1, 2015. Published September 2010July 2015. DOI: 10.1520/F2659-10.Originally approved in 2010. Last previous edition
approved in 2010 as F2659-10. DOI: 10.1520/F2659-10R15.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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