The Power of Real-Time Concrete Moisture Monitoring in Commercial Work

When you’re preparing to install a floor covering on your construction site, how can you make sure you get it right the first time? How can you save yourself time and money by not having to fix damage to the floor covering?

A large part of it comes down to keeping an eye on the moisture levels of your concrete subfloor. If the subfloor has a high moisture level, it could damage your floor covering. But detecting these high levels gives you a chance to prevent an issue from happening.

That’s where real-time concrete moisture monitoring comes in.

Follow along as we explore:

• Why concrete moisture monitoring matters
• Concrete monitoring methods
• Wagner’s options for RH monitoring

Let’s get started!

Why Concrete Moisture Monitoring Matters

Moisture monitoring of a concrete slab can save you a lot of money and time. It will let you know when your concrete is dry enough to install a floor covering without the risk of moisture damage.

It’s crucial to avoid moisture damage as it could impact your entire construction project timeline and budget.

How Floor Coverings Are Impacted by Moisture

Carpets can become damp and moldy when they soak up the moisture concrete subfloors release.

It’s natural for concrete slabs to contain a lot of moisture, but excess moisture could cause damage to the floor coverings above.

As it dries, the concrete will release the moisture it contains. And if you’ve installed a floor covering over the slab before it’s dry enough, the flooring will absorb that moisture.

This could cause:

• Hardwood floors to warp, buckle, cup, or crown
• Decorative concrete floors to grow mold, develop a chalky-white residue known as efflorescence, or become discolored
• Carpet to wrinkle, buckle, grow mold, or become discolored or damp
• Adhesives to become ineffective

The damage caused by concrete subfloors with high moisture levels will often be costly to fix.

If you’re dealing with damaged wood floors, you might have to dry, sand, or nail down boards. In a worst-case scenario, you might have to redo your floor coverings altogether. Taking the time to address the damage could slow down the entire construction process!

This is why it’s so important to track the moisture levels of your concrete subfloor. That way, you’ll know moisture levels are still too high and that you need to wait until the concrete is ready for the floor covering.

Even if you’re not facing up-front damage, real-time moisture monitoring can tell you when your concrete is dry enough to install a floor covering over it. This will ensure you’re up-to-date on the state of your concrete, helping you move on to the next stage of construction.

Understanding Concrete Monitoring Methods

There are several concrete moisture testing methods to choose from.

Traditional Moisture Testing

Traditional testing methods like calcium chloride testing and moisture meter testing help you measure the moisture of the concrete’s surface.

Our C555 concrete moisture meter, as one of the fastest and most accurate meters on the market, is a great option for concrete moisture testing.

It can find moisture “hotspots,” or areas in your concrete with comparatively higher moisture levels. Its non-invasive process also makes it a great option if you want to get results in a pinch without damaging your concrete’s surface.

While our C555 works great on its own, you might want to consider pairing it with another moisture testing system—namely, relative humidity testing.
If you want to use only a concrete moisture meter to determine whether the concrete is dry enough for installation, be sure to check whether the floor covering manufacturer accepts it as a final determiner.

The Benefits of RH Testing

Relative humidity (RH) testing provides a quick and accurate way to get concrete moisture readings. RH testing is especially accurate as it measures moisture beyond the surface of the concrete, unlike some other methods.

As we mentioned, most of the concrete’s moisture can be found deep within the slab—not on top. That’s why RH testing involves placing in situ probes deep into the concrete to give you a more accurate understanding of how much moisture your concrete contains.

Wagner Meter’s Rapid RH® system gives you the option of real-time monitoring, meaning you can keep an eye on concrete moisture levels from anywhere in the world and be more effective in your commercial work.

Wagner’s Options for RH Monitoring

At Wagner Meters, you have three options to gather the data from RH testing.

1. Hands-On Monitoring

This system is incredibly straightforward. It doesn’t have extra steps or features to concern yourself with, which makes it fast and easy to use. It can be a good option for those who prefer to take and record readings themselves.

We’ve even got an app you can use to keep your data records in one place and create reports for your clients.

2. Automatic On-Site Monitoring

The True Remote Monitoring system uses Rapid RH sensors to measure deep within the slab, allowing for a more accurate understanding of how much moisture the concrete contains.

This system makes taking moisture measurements so much easier. With this system, you don’t have to take all the readings for yourself. Rather, it takes readings automatically, even when you are not at the jobsite. It even sends the data directly to an app on your phone via Bluetooth® when you return to your sensors’ location.

3. True Remote Monitoring™

This system has all the perks of the automatic on-site monitoring system and more.

It records readings automatically and sends them to your phone. However, you don’t have to be in range to get the readings. As long as you have cell service or wifi, you can get the readings from anywhere in the world!

This can help you maximize scheduling for commercial projects. In other words, you won’t have to go all the way to the construction site to check the probes yourself. You can access reports from the comfort of your home or office.

You can also check your readings as often as you want, which will help you keep an eye on the moisture level of your concrete. With True Remote Monitoring, you won’t have to sacrifice accuracy for convenience.

Our system does both—and it’s all thanks to remote monitoring technology and the accuracy of our Rapid RH sensors.

The Value of Real-Time Monitoring

You can access your RH data reports from the Floorcloud™ app.

Real-time monitoring systems have made moisture monitoring easier and more accessible than ever before!

You’ll be able to keep an eye on the progress of your concrete, all from the convenience of your phone. You won’t have to worry about taking another trip to the jobsite just to check the concrete. And you won’t have to worry about installing your floor before the concrete has dried. Real-time monitoring technology has streamlined the moisture measurement process, helping flooring installers prevent damage and move their commercial projects along with more accuracy and efficiency.

Looking for more sure-fire ways to protect your floors from moisture?

Head over to “Stay Ahead of Flooring Moisture Issues with These Three Proactive Solutions.”

Have any questions for us? Contact us at info@wagnermeters.com.

Jason Spangler

Jason has 20+ years’ experience in sales and sales management in a spectrum of industries and has successfully launched a variety of products to the market, including the original Rapid RH® concrete moisture tests. He currently works with Wagner Meters as our Rapid RH® product sales manager.

Last updated on September 10th, 2024