Leveling Compounds: Concrete Moisture Can Slant the Results

Concrete slabs are somewhat infamous for not being entirely level, even with the best care during the initial pour. Some flooring types/applications do not have the flexibility to withstand these uneven areas of a subfloor.

The standard solution is to apply a leveling compound, which can effectively level the slab surface to tolerances that are within specification. However, that leveling compound also has some requirements for successful installation and operation.

Concrete Leveling Compound: How to Properly Prep

One of the challenges of using a leveling compound is not just getting it level. It’s also working fast enough to get it in place. From the moment you start to mix until the compound sets up, you’ll typically have about 20-30 minutes to get it in place and smoothed out before it starts to set and loses its “self-leveling” characteristics. Acrylic-based compounds will extend that time slightly, but will also require longer drying time before the next step of the project can proceed.

What does that have to do with concrete moisture?

It means that you need to be positive that the concrete slab is properly prepped and ready for the compound to go down on ideal conditions: removing all dust and dirt from the floor by vacuuming, using the appropriate cleaner for stains or spills, having all tools at the ready, and then damp mopping the slab lightly, letting it dry completely before applying the compound. Obviously, different manufacturers may have different installation/preparation requirements for their products, so consult the manufacturer directly for specific guidance.

It also means testing to be sure the slab does not have elevated relative humidity (RH) levels prior to doing any leveling. More times than not, if there are elevated moisture levels present in the slab, said excess moisture levels will need to be addressed prior to proceeding with the leveling portion of the project.

Side note: Although not directly related to the moisture in the slab, the amount of water that you add to the leveling powder is critical. Manufacturers have taken great pain in determining the proper amount of water to be utilized when mixing their products. If you want the products to perform “as advertised”, follow their instructions.

(The same moisture concerns are a reality if you’re using leveling compound over a wooden subfloor too, although the risks are greater because of differences in the expansion and contraction rates of the two building materials.)

Regardless of what conditions are at the surface of the slab or subfloor, it’s just as real that moisture hidden within the slab will rise to the surface and cause the cured and dried compound to react by losing adherence, flaking, or breaking up.

Primed for Perfection

It is recommended that the concrete surface is primed with a primer before applying the leveling compound. This is meant not only to improve adhesion with the leveling compound but also to serve to seal the concrete slab beneath.

In this situation, it is doubly important to know the slab’s moisture condition before proceeding. If the moisture level is high, remediation steps should be taken before the application of any primer or leveling compound, or you face the risk of a flooring failure.

Free Download – 7 Things You May Not Know about Concrete Slabs

Testing the Subfloor’s Moisture Condition

So how can you accurately determine a slab’s internal moisture condition?

Several different options are commonly used for concrete moisture testing, but only one method actually measures the moisture condition in the slab, rather than just taking a surface assessment.

RH testing has been specifically and scientifically developed to determine what the final moisture level of a concrete slab would be if the slab were sealed (with a flooring system or sealant, for example) at that point in time.

With RH testing, you can also determine the moisture conditions that the leveling compound will be exposed to overtime.

RH testing, like with the award-winning Rapid RH^®, operates by installing a sensor or probe in a test hole drilled in the concrete slab.

In the case of the Rapid RH, the sensor remains installed in the slab, and by means of a device called the Easy Reader, instant and repeatable readings can be taken as often as necessary.

Other systems often require the sensor to re-equilibrate with each reading, a time-consuming reality.

RH testing can be used on both new concrete slabs to determine if the concrete has reached the RH level specified by the architect, or by the flooring product manufacturer, but can also be used on older slabs to ensure that the moisture levels have not been compromised over time in any way.

When your floor depends on a solid, level surface, don’t let moisture conditions in the subfloor sabotage your leveling compound application. With Rapid RH testing, you can be sure your completed floor stays completely on the level.

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 October 1st, 2021