IFTI

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The surest way to solve flooring failure is to prevent the problem from occurring in the first place. With billions of dollars lost every year to concrete-slab moisture-related floor-covering failures, an ounce of prevention can spell the difference between profit and loss. Senior editor Katherine Field talked with Lee Eliseian, president of Concord, Calif.-based Independent Floor Testing & Inspection Incorporated (IFTI), which provides third-party testing and certification of moisture-related issues, about ways to prevent problems associated with moisture-related flooring failures. What is the primary reason that retail floor-coverings fail? One of the most common problems in the multi-billion dollar floor-covering industry continues to be floor-covering failures related to excessive moisture and pH of concrete floor slabs. All flooring categories are affected, including resilient flooring, carpet tiles, carpet, wood flooring, coatings and more. For example, problems from excessive moisture and high pH attack can cause adhesives to ooze from the joints, loss of holding strength because of re-emulsified adhesives, and contamination by mold, which causes indoor air-quality concerns. Some estimates have been published that concrete-slab, moisture-related floor-covering failures cost retailers, building owners and contractors over $1 billion every year. What is the floor-covering industry’s position on why this problem is occurring, and what can be done about it? In 2001, a number of associations and organizations within the floor-covering industry endorsed a white-paper position statement on concrete-slab moisture testing. It stated many concrete-slab, moisture-related flooring problems can be attributed to the advent of rapid changes within the construction industry. Some of those changes included the loss of asbestos in resilient flooring, loss of solvents from adhesive and coating, increased use of water for easier concrete placement, absorptive aggregate in lightweight concrete, and fast track construction schedules. Many unforeseen problems have surfaced that have led to unnecessary disputes, increasing confusion and lawsuits. As an effort to reverse this trend, a more science-based approach was needed to clearly identify contributory problems associated with moisture-related flooring failures, with reasonable expectations for those responsible for moisture testing. The industry recommends that concrete-slab moisture testing be performed by qualified independent third party agencies. What can the retail industry do to reduce its risk of moisture-related flooring problems? Specifying quantitative ASTM moisture testing right from the start will reduce the risk of concrete-slab moisture and pH-related flooring problems. Performing testing in advance of installing a new floor or replacing an existing floor is the only way of knowing the moisture condition of a concrete slab. Floor-covering and adhesive manufacturers published guidelines that follow ASTM standards.

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