In 1998, 10,000 square feet of epoxy, decorative quartz flooring was specified for a vivarium at a major University on the West Coast. This installation was performed by the material manufacturer’s certified contractor and was completed in November 2000. A few weeks after installation bubbles and blisters appeared. When the blisters were punctured they contained liquid. As anticipated, the moisture vapor emissions were confirmed to be 4 to 9 lbs in excess of the manufacturer’s recommended maximum of 3 lbs. No moisture emission testing was done prior to installation.

To correct this problem, the flooring system was completely removed. A Silicate-based penetrating moisture remediation system was selected and installed prior to reinstallation of the specified quartz system. In all but one room, cage wash, this remedial system controlled the excess moisture. In the cage wash room however, bubbles and blisters reappeared.

This paper addresses the permanent solution used to correct the problem and the need to fully understand the environmental conditions of the facility prior to selection of moisture remediation systems.

Subject
Buildings, Test methods, Flooring systems, Protective coatings, Moisture, Quartz, Installation, Vapors, Reservoirs, Flooring, Epoxies, Blistering, Concrete
© 2008 Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP). All rights reserved. This work is protected by both domestic and international copyright laws. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of AMPP. Positions and opinions advanced in this work are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of AMPP. Responsibility for the content of the work lies solely with the author(s).
2008
Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP)
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