What do I need

Discussion in 'Subfloor Preparation' started by tommynett, Feb 4, 2015.

  1. tommynett

    tommynett Well-Known Member

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    Hi , always used latex for jobs eg tremco or screed master ultimate , but wouldn't mind using water based for a smoother finish, what meter do I use for the damp test? To give me the go ahead to latex? Does it matter or do I have to use a protimeter and get the green light! Any help
     
  2. DM Flooring

    DM Flooring Well-Known Member

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  3. DM Flooring

    DM Flooring Well-Known Member

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    Also F.Ball 1200 pro latex gives a really smooth finish. I use this most of the time or 300hd.
     
  4. tommynett

    tommynett Well-Known Member

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    Do I need the boxes n drill things , or can I just use a mini protimeter to see if it's damp? If it's ok just carry on ? Or do u leave boxes on every job?
     
  5. Trimmer

    Trimmer Well-Known Member

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    Protimeter mini is fine for wood but not concrete. The pins only test the very surface and give no indication of how much moisture is in the slab
     
  6. DM Flooring

    DM Flooring Well-Known Member

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    If your using a pin protimeter it'll just show its surface dry or damp not how much moisture is the concrete. you need either hygrometers or plugs which will show you the exact moisture RH in the concrete.
     
  7. tommynett

    tommynett Well-Known Member

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    So the answer is every job I have to test and leave a box down for 3 days to see whether I can use waterbased???
    if that's the case I think I will carry on with the cheapest latex around !!
     
  8. Trimmer

    Trimmer Well-Known Member

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    Get a tramex cme or a protimeter survey master. These scan 20/30mm deep. If it shows dry then no need for a box. If borderline or damp then defo boxes / probes needed.
    If you can save up then get the tramex cmex kit or the mms kit. Well worth the money
     
  9. Spacey

    Spacey Super Moderator Staff Member

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    By the sound of it you need seriously educated mate
    A moisture test tells you if you need to use a dpm on the slab NOT what screed you can use ?
     
  10. tommynett

    tommynett Well-Known Member

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    Only reason I say is that all the jobs we have ever done have only used latexed based compounds that have never failed ! So never use a damp tester. I'm forever scraping up previously laid warerbased products up that is all, jobs just seem to survive with a cheap latex product that's all
     
  11. Spacey

    Spacey Super Moderator Staff Member

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    Do you use primer ?
     
  12. tommynett

    tommynett Well-Known Member

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    Yes, always
     
  13. tommynett

    tommynett Well-Known Member

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    When I say scraping up , I mean other peoples waterbased levelling
     
  14. Robroy

    Robroy Well-Known Member

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    Screed master ultimate isn't effected by
    moisture I use it quite a bit
    perhaps use the 300 on newer houses that are pretty much likely to be ok
    Edit ....didn't realise it was karndean ( test every time !!!)

    must admit I never used 300 but have seen a builder put it down in a w/c and it was like glass
     
    Last edited: Feb 4, 2015
  15. Spacey

    Spacey Super Moderator Staff Member

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    What you worried about then If you use primer correctly you should have no problems with a water mix
     
  16. Spacey

    Spacey Super Moderator Staff Member

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    What yous fitting on top ?
     
  17. tommynett

    tommynett Well-Known Member

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    Was just the damp issues that's all the old bitumen adhesives etc , as with the moisture tolerant latex they stay down, and normally just lay stuff, maybe I have been lucky with no damp issues. That's why I was wondering about the damp testers for when using waterbased
     
  18. tommynett

    tommynett Well-Known Member

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    Karndean
     
  19. Rugmunching

    Rugmunching Well-Known Member

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    ....a 'builder' putting down 300....and it was smooth....well blow me down lol!!!
     
  20. Spacey

    Spacey Super Moderator Staff Member

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