Is it necessary to test the slab with a Tramex moisture meter before you apply any cementitious compound (leveller and/or skimcoat)? I would imagine that it is necessary to test it after ALL surface prep has taken place and a sufficient time has passed to allow the compounds to dry completely. Any input is appreciated. Thanks!!!

I always test the substrate and wood prior to any patching or floating, and ofcoarse test the substrate and wood afterwards, ( this is how I know where I stand with cure time). Some manuf. will guarantee an amount of cure time , but there are all types of different conditions. This way I know exactly where I stand in order to proceed with installation. I really don't need to test the wood again, as long as it was within 2% of the substrate, on the 1st test. I just do it out of habbit.

Dry time and cure time are two different animals. Try doing the matt test over some SLC at the manufactures set cure time....like when they say it should be ready to recieve flooring. It has alot to do with rh as well as temp. Ona floater it would not be an issue if your using 6mil plastic.

Did you say you were a pro-fessional installer PatentPending?

Stephen,

LOL, no I never said! While I'm an electrical engineer + lawyer = patent attorney by profession, I'm just a humble apprentice in the field of engineered hardwood flooring installation. I have spent well over five months reading, issue spotting, and asking questions. I truly thank you guys (the true flooring professionals) for all the valuable input you have provided me over the course of this period.

USG Durock told me ,(on their self leveler), "1/4"- 1/2" guaranteed to install gludown wood in 16 hours".
I don't know where they get off making such a statement. Test the substrate.

True that floorologist, test it. However since it is a SLC, the water molecules are bonded into the matrix of the compound therefore any cacl test on that would be insignificant me thinks. A CME meter would probably work. Not sure. I just wait till it looks dry to the eye if I'm gluing.

Did that sound like engineer speak?

Dude, you are joshin me right ?? Your sense of humor is similar to mine, so I'm not sure Ya, you can't be playing russian roulette.

Ya, I use a Tramex Concrete Encounter on floated areas, and take comparrison readings to non-floated areas.

I dont even bother checking, just call the lady of the house and ask " is it dry yet?"

LMAO guys. heh heh You mean you can't tell just by looking at it? My other amazing talent is that I can also tell how many pounds of MVE is moving out of the slab just by placing my hand on it. A flooring Shaman taught me that.

Read Donna's story I just put on my website. No one will probably read it but hey, what the heck.

http://tucsonazflooring.com/about.html