Moisture/Water test

[jaggudada]

How to carry out moisture/water test? Also can you do it in winter or is there a preferable time of the year to do this test? I live in NY. It looks like I will epoxying my garage floor in May/June next year.

 

[Hammerdown]

The easiest way is to tape down a piece of plastic sheeting, at least 1 foot square and allow it to set for 24 hours. If there is moisture condensed on the underside of the plastic you have an issue. IF nothing is present you're good. They also sell fancy moisture testing kits for relative humidity and calcium chloride content (moisture vapor emiisions) in the concrete slabs. This come with guides on how to use and what the readings mean, and would be your most accurate type of testing.

 

[stealthbob]

...also don't forget the "other" water test.

Make sure there are no "water breaks" when you apply water to the floor...where water beads away from a certain spot.

 

[vrog]

You will get different results every time you do a test. Being in the North East with the freeze thaw cycles, it could be fine today but come spring its a whole new ball game.

Also, when doing such a test its best to diamond grind the area where you will be placing your test. After all, you are going to "open up" that concrete once you mechanically prep the floor to apply your epoxy system of choice.