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Testing Kits for Concrete Floor Prep: Moisture Detectors, Measuring Tools, and Digital Gloss Meters | Xtreme Polishing Systems

The Importance of Surface Preparation

Concrete floor preparation is a classic routine that holds the utmost importance for installing different surface applications. The most popular surface applications available today include decorative concrete (e.g. dyes, stains), concrete resurfacing (e.g. epoxy, flake flooring), cementitious admixtures (e.g. micro toppings, overlays), and concrete surface refinement (e.g. polishing, repair, maintenance, refinishing) applications.

There is a fundamental role that concrete floor preparation plays in the overall success and outcome of your surface application. This is the prime reason why there are zero alternatives for concrete surface prep, therefore the option to overlook or bypass this very critical step is completely off the table. Technology has also played a special role in the concrete flooring industry. It has modernized our abilities to transform concrete surfaces into complete works of art.

However, the process of preparing concrete floor surfaces can be time-consuming and problematic at times, especially if you encounter certain issues pertaining to the surface itself. The key to simplifying the preparation process is by taking advantage of the most recent technological advancements in the industry. Surface testing equipment consists of state-of-the-art devices specifically designed for analyzing concrete surfaces. These proactive tools will help you significantly with the inspection and preparation and above all, they are accessible to everyone!

Moisture Detectors

Although concrete floors appear to be robust and hard surfaces, the slab is mostly composed of moist materials. The application for pouring a concrete slab involves a mixture of different liquid elements such as water, sand, cement, and aggregate. Even after the curing process has completely hardened the slab, moisture can still remain within the concrete surface for a very long time. Not to mention, concrete floors tend to absorb any form of moisture it encounters on the outer surface. Testing the quality of concrete through its moisture levels using moisture detector meters, especially for indoor and residential flooring applications is extremely important during concrete floor preparation. There are two different methods for measuring the amount of moisture in the concrete slab:

Calcium Chloride Test

A calcium chloride test is a method of detecting moisture in concrete slabs. It aims to measure the moisture vapor emission rate (MVER) through a trial involving the following steps:
  1. Calcium chloride, together with a clean section of concrete, gets placed in a small dish.
  2. A plastic dome seals this to let the salt absorb the moisture that emerges from the concrete slab.
  3. After three days, the container gets weighed to calculate the moisture vapor emission rate (MVER).
Although this type of moisture detector is recognized by floor contractors, manufacturers, and architects, this test can only measure concrete surface conditions.

Testing the Relative Humidity

The second moisture detector aims to measure the levels of moisture within the concrete slab. It allows us to determine the moisture conditions of concrete in its entirety. The relative humidity gets measured through these steps:
  1. Test holes are drilled into the slabs of concrete to make way for a small probe. These holes set the equilibrium before the test gets underway.
  2. Placing the probe within concrete allows us to understand the moisture conditions of the slab better. Testers drill 40% of the concrete's total thickness to obtain better results.
  3. The ideal relative humidity for concrete to cure is around 80% to 85%.
Testing concrete slabs in situ probes are the best way to measure the relative humidity and determine the moisture conditions that one can encounter while implementing the flooring.

Surface Measuring Tools

Obtaining the space's accurate surface profile means it is your job to pay close attention to the surface's characteristics. This has a major impact on the concrete lifespan, appearance, and overall performance, not to mention effects the compatibility of potential product applications. Deciphering these measurements will play a vital role in different components.

By utilizing these tools it allows flooring contractors to better determine the type of chemical systems and adhesive coatings that will work effectively with the concrete application. In too many industries there are tolerances that are being diminished regarding the necessary surface parameters and preparation of a concrete surface. Here are the surface measuring tools that can assist you through the process:

MOH Hardness Kit - Concrete Tester Tool

MOH Concrete Hardness Test Kits were developed for "scratch testing" and are the foremost tool used in the polished concrete industry for determining the hardness of the underlying concrete matrix. The tip points are made of metals and alloys of equivalent hardness for the mineral standards, so these points will not break off, and they can easily be re-sharpened, and ultimately replaced after many uses. This concrete testing kit is configured with customized components, instructions, hardness tables, and a carrying case for industrial and commercial uses. How do you use the hardness picks? Simply scratch a smooth surface of your material with the picks of various indicated hardness.

American Slip Meter Kit

Slip Meter Kits are equipped to test and monitor safety for slip and fall prevention by testing the level of coefficient of friction (COF) on your concrete floors. This concrete floor friction testing will determine if a concrete floor or walkway is safe and could ultimately prevent any potential slip and fall accidents. For this purpose, you require an American Slip Meter Kit. This type of meter is an instrument used to measure the coefficient of friction and can assist to determine if a floor or walkway is safe for use. When you have a coefficient of friction measurement device you can get instant results, which allows you to invest in anti-slip solutions if required.

Digital Gloss Meters

It is ideal for floors to have a highly polished surface and an evident depth of brightness. The digital gloss meter is the device that measures the amount of gloss of the concrete surface. To calculate the amount of gloss, you quantify the gloss meter reflectance on the surface, offering quick and accurate measurements of gloss on concrete floors and even polished marble, terrazzo, and granite. It is ideal for contractors who want to produce consistent results with their concrete flooring application.

Concrete Conclusion

We offer a variety of concrete testing equipment to meet your needs. Measuring your surface's safety has never been easier with our concrete surface testing tool kits because our collection of concrete tools are diverse and easy to use. These tools are specifically designed to help you measure the coefficient of friction, surface gloss levels, and detect concrete moisture levels on your surfaces in minutes. Best of all our products are affordably priced to suit your wallet.

Whether you’re evaluating a client’s existing concrete for estimating purposes or simply preparing a surface for the preparation of a surface application, our variety of Moisture Detectors, Measuring Tools, and Digital Gloss Meters are quintessential devices for identifying problemed areas.

Concrete Resources, Guidance, and Support

Concrete is something that literally exists all around us, shaping the world we live in round-the-clock. Primarily engineered for toughness, concrete has maintained a high global demand in major economic developments for centuries. By reassuring us with a complete sense of structure, stability, and overall safety we are able to continue improving the vital ways of living to meet our highest expectations for complex living. Concrete delivers exceptional durability, requires low maintenance, and offers beautiful style finishes, and has been long dominating our economy, not to mention the industries that were created because of it like concrete flooring. The experts at Xtreme Polishing Systems understand that every concrete surface will variate in properties, therefore must be treated accordingly. Your plan of action for restoring concrete is circumstantial to each individual surface, without comparing it to another. That is why we are here. Our pros will assist by guiding you in the right direction based on your precise project elements, such as its current surroundings, your personal design expectations, and helping you understand the difference in surface textures and design finishes.

Xtreme Polishing Systems is dedicated to flooring industries around the world, especially those seeking a trustworthy and affordable supplier. Our collection is innovative and diverse because our product line is simply like no other. We specialize in the manufacturing and distribution of equipment, materials, tooling, and supplies designed specifically for concrete flooring, including polished concrete (e.g. refining), epoxy coatings (e.g. resurfacing), and decorative concrete (e.g. architectural) surface finishes. Our team of trusted field experts and industry professionals have trained with our products accordingly for many years so they can deliver the fundamental guidance, consumer goods, and customer service necessary for preparing and executing a concrete finish. Questions? Give us a call directly at (877) 958-5732 and speak to a pro today regarding our concrete products. If you have questions specifically tailored to the topic ‘Testing Kits for Concrete Floor Prep: Moisture Detectors, Measuring Tools, and Digital Gloss Meters‘ please reach out for assistance. Visit our website www.shopxps.com today and browse through our extensive and diverse selection of concrete products, equipment, tooling, and materials. Whether you’re a general contractor (e.g. flooring, concrete, masonry, home improvement, renovation) small business, new or existing business, do-it-yourselfer (e.g. craftsman, artisan, tradesman, handyman), or simply just a residential or commercial property owner looking to improve their personal spaces, Xtreme Polishing Systems has impressive product choices, as well as a sophisticated team of knowledgeable experts committed to assisting you every step of the way, from start to finish.