Eliminating Concrete Moisture through Sustainable Design  

Few aspects of the design process are conducted in “silos” as disassociated from one another as how many projects approach interior concrete slab specifications and subsequent flooring specification sections. This is not done intentionally, rather it is by-product of lack of coordination, and fundamental misunderstanding, between those involved with the structural elements and those involved with the aesthetic and finishing elements. During this presentation, we will discuss sustainability and what it means; drawing the attendee into a clear discussion of how sustainability relates to LEED, Lean Construction, Green Building, and process improvement. Inconsistencies with current specification processes related to concrete moisture as compared to the tenets of sustainability will be exposed, with clear recommendations given as to how the specifying professional can resolve those disconnects.

Photo courtesy of ISE Logik Industries

Dean Craft, LtCol USMCR (ret.) is a Principal with ISE Logik Industries and a leading specialist in proactively addressing concrete moisture vapor emission issues in new construction concrete and existing slabs that will receive moisture sensitive flooring and roofing. He completed his doctoral work in 2017 with a dissertation entitled “Fallacy of Current Industry Approach to Assessing Concrete Moisture Before Flooring Installation”. Dr. Craft is the primary author and technical chair of ASTM F3191 – 16: “Standard Practice for Field Determination of Substrate Water Absorption (Porosity) for Substrates to Receive Resilient Flooring”, and is a voting member of: ASTM Committee D08 on Roofing and Waterproofing ASTM Committee F06 on Resilient Floor Coverings