Project of the Month: "Green Concrete" Primer

Most often in new construction, it is required that floor coatings or moisture barrier primers not be installed prior to the standard 28 cure time of new concrete. This restriction can often lead to delays in construction or loss of productivity. Citadel's Ultra Hydro Stop H2O Primer can be applied to concrete as early as 48 hours after placement. Not only is H2O a primer for "green concrete" but it serves as a moisture barrier as well, with the ability to hold back 6lbs. of Moisture Vapor Transmission with one coat and pH levels as high as 75% with one coat. Ultra Hydro Stop H2O is also a substitute for concrete curing compounds. With its fast cure time for a tack free finish within 5 hours and full return to service in 24 hours, these attributes make Ultra Hydro Stop H20 ideal for use under carpet, tile, epoxy, polyurea, urethanes or cementitious overlays.

Monthly Product Highlight: Moisture and pH Testing

One of the most common, if not THE most common, cause of coating failure is moisture vapor transmission within the slab. Whether you are primarily installing residential or commercial coatings, moisture is the number one factor that needs to be determined prior to putting any coating down. Another cause of coating failures are high pH levels in the concrete. Citadel offers several different testing methods but we will focus on 2 simple and easy to use devices and methods to better understand if a slab may have moisture or high pH levels.

Tramex CME Moisture Meter

For a quick indication of whether a slab may have moisture problems, Citadel recommends the Tramex CME 4 Moisture Meter to test garage slabs and other residential applications. It is a non-invasive meter that does not require any drilling or waiting for results. Place the meter on a level concrete floor and push down, this will give you an accurate reading inside the concrete, not just on the surface. This particular moisture meter will read between 0-6 % moisture content. Any readings "maxing out" the dial will indicate definite moisture problems. If the moisture meter reads more than 5.0% moisture content, Citadel requires application of one of our Ultra-Hydro Stop Primers to create a vapor barrier. For commercial applications, other test methods will be required such as Calcium Chloride Test.

pH Testing

Testing the alkalinity of the concrete prior to coating is an essential step to determine if preventative measures are required. Testing for alkalinity is often overlooked but of extreme importance to a successful installation. pH is a measurement of hydrogen ion concentration that indicates the acidity or alkalinity (base) of a solution. ASTM F710 states that the surface of a concrete slab should be free of alkaline salts, and excessive carbonation or laitance prior to the flooring installation. ASTM F710 also states that a concrete slab surface pH test reading shall be taken at the same frequency and at each location in which a moisture test is performed. A maximum pH reading of 9 is allowed for standard CFFS coating systems. Floors containing higher pH levels than acceptable will require the application of CFFS Ultra-Hydro Stop Primer, or Ultra Hydro Stop H20 which is resistant to pH levels up to 14. To test for pH levels, simply put a few drops of the solution on the concrete and allow the solution to sit for 60 seconds, then dip a test strip in the solution. Use the supplied chart to match the color to the closest level of pH. pH level of 7 is considered neutral.

Upcoming Events: Get Certified!! - Class on November 17-18

Become a certified Citadel Products installer by attending a training seminar. Citadel training sessions are typically held on a monthly to bi-monthly basis depending on the number of interested parties. We always welcome new installers, but even if you have been to a previous session, consider that Citadel continues to introduce new and innovative products. Register today to find out more about the benefits and uses for revolutionary products including polycuramine, Hydrostops, and hybrid polymer sealants. Please let us know if you are interested in attending a training seminar, we would love the opportunity to showcase both our current products and any new products and installation techniques!! Click here for registration information

Tech Tip: Cold Weather Installs

Unlike the products of many competitors, Citadel has a full line of products that allow you to continue to work throughout the cold season. Our products are able to cure at temperatures well below freezing, and with our adjustable cure rate technology, it allows you to adjust the speed of the product to get reliable cure times at virtually any temperature.

A few cold weather tips:
o Protect the worksite from elements by tarping or creating barriers.
o Keep product in a climate controlled area. Do not let products freeze.
o Consider the use of bucket heaters to keep products warm prior to use.
o Protect the materials from sitting idle on a cold slab.
o Remember, Cold Product = Longer cure times and reduction in spread rates!
o Cold product will affect your typical spread rates. Both surface and ambient temperatures contribute to loss of spread rates.

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