Hi,

I am planning to install solid wood (rustic oak) over a concrete floor in groundfloor. I have searched online and it seemed I need to ensure that the floor has low moisture level and that it is level/flat.

I bought a handheld moisture meter (from amazon) to measure the concrete floor. The description in amazon said it can be used to measure moisture on concrete. It puzzle me how it can work since I cannot really probe the meter into concrete. I guess it will just give an indicaiton. However, if the moisture level is more than the 4% recommended by the manufactuerer, would a Damn Proof Membrame solve the problem?

I am confused over the level vs flatness on the concrete floor. If I got it right, a leveled floor is one that has a 0 slope. For my floor, before I ripped the carpet out, the spirit leveler suggested that it is leveled. However, after ripping it out, at some point, the bubble in the spirit level is slightly off (but still within the two lines). My question is does it matter if the floor is not dead leveled?

On the flatness aspect, does flatness means smooth? I am planning to use an adhesive underlay (e.g. Elka underlay). The underlay is smooth on the part sticking to the wood and since the underlay can "mould" itself to rough part of the floor, does it matter if the concrete subfloor is not smooth like glass?

Would appreciate some advice. Thanks.

Your moisture meter is not for concrete, I don't care what it says it will do.
Look into the disposable Wagner Rapid rH probes.

Being a solid and you're going over concrete, you are going to need a moisture barrier membrane, regardless of the test results.


Solid wood and concrete, have a love/hate relationship



Don't get flat confused with level.

3/16 of an inch, in a 10 feet radius.... Flat.