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Moisture Emissions Installation Precautions

PURPOSE : The intention of this general statement is to bring to the attention of the tile contractor the problems of moisture emission in certain installations.

Many conventional tile installations have few problems with moisture emission. Ceramic tile typically does not have the same type of problems as wood, carpet, and vinyl when it comes to moisture emissions in as much as the moisture typically does not affect tile installations; however, some other flooring materials either do not allow moisture to pass through them, or may be sensitive to moisture and therefore may be adversely affected by moisture. A tile contractor should be careful when installing the following materials over concrete slabs:

• Agglomerate tiles - (cement or resin based) • Stone tiles • Setting with epoxy • Grouting with epoxy • Non-vitreous tiles with epoxy grout • Terrazzo tiles • Efflorescence (cement grouts) • Organic adhesives • Concrete tiles • Crack-isolation or waterproof membranes

In these installations, the membrane, setting material and tile or stone manufacturer should be contacted for further instructions and for moisture emission protection requirement.

The tile contractor should bring any issues of the substrate to the general contractor's attention (or owner, if there is no general contractor). The general contractor, builder, or owner should pay for random Calcium Chloride tests (ASTM F1869-04). The tile contractor/general contractor or tile contractor/owner should agree on who will perform the tests, and what kind of moisture test should be done.

Moisture spots indicate there is moisture intrusion. Water that gets to cavities with a food source for mold will generate these kinds of problems. It makes sense to take the steps necessary to prevent these problems (and liabilities) for your business. Photo courtesy of Noble Company.

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NTCA Reference Manual | 2024 / 2025

Chapter 1 | Pre- and Post-Installation Considerations