Hi again, Created a new thread as this is a different specific question - hope that is ok. ps, apologies for the length. Our fitter has good reviews, and said he has laid for 15 years. However I had to query about moisture levels as he isn't worrying about them himself. We are about to glue LVT across our extension / existing area that has been refloored for UFH. (either Quick Step or Amtico I think). Area 1 (new extension): Concrete block and beam (12 weeks ago) 85mm insulation UFH 65mm 3:1 garage mix screed (7 weeks ago) Area 2: (existing floor) 25mm insulation UFH 65mm 3:1 garage mix screed (7 weeks ago) When I asked the fitter about moisture levels he asked me to check with the builder. I updated him and now he says that he has checked drying times and it should be around 8 weeks , which seems less than I thought at 1mm/week though it has been warm down here. He also said that I can get a test for £20 but he is busy which suggests that he doesn't usually worry about these things. Given that I have UFH (pressure tested but not yet switched on) I doubt we can actively poke into the mix without risk. I think that I can get a moisture check (though I don't know if deeper moisture in the concrete block further down could also pose a risk). How would you guys proceed please? If the moisture seems low I assume we can simply proceed. If the moisture is too high do we just stop? Or should we use a DPM, if so any recommendations? I don't want to hold my build up but I don't want issues in months to come. Finally, is it an issue that the fitter has left this concern to me? He is supposed to be latexing on Tuesday. If I pulled the plug it will be delayed anyway but , contrary to his reviews, this seems a big oversight given that he knows it to be a new build. Any suggestions appreciated
The Floorlayer should be taking a moisture reading with a Hydrometer http://f-talk.f-ballrewards.co.uk/article/testing-testing-digital-hygrometer/ They see what moisture is in the floor. I’d suggest putting the heating on low to force dry the slab.
Thanks for the reply. The heating cannot be put on as the boiler has not yet been connected to the electrics. It could be on tomorrow but AFAIK you aren't supposed to put it on the day before the screed goes down Exactly. Can you accurately test on the spot or do you have to leave it and wait? His reply was " Just looked up drying times. It says on average the screed should dry a mm a day. Which in your case should be around 8 weeks? I’m not around tomorrow but you can get cheapest test around £20 that are quite straight forward to use. Were you thinking about putting a DPM down?" I sourced a cheap moisture tester with 2 probes but I am fairly sure it is essentially just reading the surface I have attached a couple of pics of the floor in case anybody can eyeball for a suggestion. Nightmare, this shouldn't be my issue to deal with. However I want to avoid cancelling if I can determine it to be ok to avoid delaying the other trades What I don't want is for the fitter to arrive, say he tested it ok and then it transpire to be an issue later on. I am guessing the consensus here would be to cancel and find a fitter prepared to test the floor.
If your fitter is saying he's going to proceed without doing the required proper tests just because he's read in the book it 'should be dry' then he isn't as good as you think. You being worried about delaying trades if you have to get another fitter in is the least of your worries. Would you rather do that or wait till all your trades have finished up and come down one morning to find planks popping up in random places then have to start all over again. It's happened, still happens and still is happening! Have a chat with your fitter and work out whether he really is the right one for your job because by sounds of it he wants to cut the biggest corner out
What other trades will be delayed ? That meter you have is for measuring wood & plaster and not concrete so you won’t get a reading off it.
Thank you for confirming my mindset, I did originally write the words "alarm bells" when writing my post but edited it out. You are correct, he may have good feedback but this is a serious concern. I hadn't expected the burden of checking to be placed on my shoulders. Postponement incoming.
In retrospect, it isn't that bad at all. The carpenters can come and finish off the doorframes etc but will have to revisit for skirting (unless you think skirting can go down now anyway?). I am sure the builder can accept that. I did get a reading but I don't trust the device and will take the cautious approach. Delaying will allow us to fire up the UFH for the first time on low and help to expedite the drying process. Thanks all for your input, it is the only logical solution.
Yes mate best to get heating on. You could have the skirting fitted as well as the LVT can be cut up to the skirts.
Thank you. Am I better off delaying the skirts if possible? Eg does it make it easier for expansion? And avoid using beading?
There isn’t any expansion on glued down LVT so you will be fine. If you were having Lamainte or Click LVT you would need scotia
You should not be installing the floor before the ufh has been commissioned and run properly Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Flooring is a finishing trade you wouldn't be holding anyone up by waiting for a proper fitter to come out and do the job. Lvt can be cut in tight enough to look like under the skirts and arches and if a new slab has been laid over water ufh and he hasn't checked for moisture or asked if ufh has been commissioned properly then he doesn't fill me with confidence he has the required knowledge to put the floor down once. By my maths your looking at 15 weeks drying times roughly to be flooring dry, and even then there is multiple variables which could throw this out weeks either side of that.
