There is no denying that concrete is one of the most popular materials used today. From retaining walls to concrete driveways; it is used in many different settings. This also includes commercial, industrial, and residential environments.
Because of this, there is a lot of misinformation that floats around in the industry. This is why you always need to make sure you work with a reputable concrete company, no matter the task at hand.
Concrete and moisture levels are something that all businesses in the building and flooring industry need to think about especially. However, a lot of building professionals believe they do not need to worry about moisture-related problems, and this is because there are numerous misconceptions about concrete moisture testing. We aim to debunk these myths in this post.
Myth #1: Surface Testing & Final Moisture Level
One myth that many people in this industry believe is that a final moisture level is provided via surface testing. This is not the case. Any test method that uses surface conditions can result in a false reading, and any reputable company knows this to be the case. A true picture of what moisture levels could occur after the installation of the flooring cannot be achieved if a measurement has not been taken from under the slab’s surface. The reason for this is because there are higher moisture levels in drying concrete at the bottom of the slab. However, the moisture will then evenly disperse through the slab once the flooring has sealed it or any other technique.
Related: 4 Ways To Save Money On A Construction Project
Myth #2: Is It Really Dry?
Another common myth that amateurs in the industry believe is that if the surface of a concrete slab is dry, the slab itself is dry. Again, this is not always true. The surface of the concrete is not a true indicator of the rest of the moisture. This is why the best concrete professionals use moisture meter equipment so they can get a true understanding.
The myths when it comes to working with concrete do not only relate to moisture levels. Another common myth is that the only way to increase the slump is to add more water to the mixture. This is not true. In fact, there are plenty of other methods that are more effective. After all, if you add more water, you will also reduce the strength, which is bad news. This is because you are diluting the paste.
Myth #3: The Requirements
Finally, another myth that we often see in the world of concrete and construction is that a concrete mix should be specified by the quantity of cement bags. Instead, mixes need to be specified based on the requirements in terms of performance, not just the cement content. Unfortunately, some businesses today still do not adhere to this.
So there you have it: an insight into some of the most common myths when it comes to working with concrete. This highlights why concrete work is not always as straightforward as it may seem, and therefore, why you always need to choose a company with a lot of care.
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