Plastic Sheet Test

Coating concrete with impermeable coatings that do not “breathe” requires special considerations to prevent failure. Concrete slabs each have their own chemistry and profile of performance. It is this variance in concrete formula, placement, finishing, curing, and subsoil conditions that makes predictability of coating adhesion very elusive. While moisture in concrete during the application of floor surfacings is an important criteria, it is not the cause of failures. It is the flow of moisture or moisture vapor, better described as moisture vapor transmission, that can cause an adhesion problem. Rust-Oleum Service Company takes precautions to avoid a vapor transmission problem effecting coating adhesion.

Rust-Oleum Service Company uses the “Plastic Sheet Test Method” or “ASTM-D-4263”, for testing vapor transmission. The “Plastic Sheet Test” has been an acceptable testing method for concrete substrates for 50 years and is widely utilized in the concrete flooring industry.

Consumer Directions:

Supplies Needed: Duct Tape (2” is recommended) and an 18”x18” plastic sheet (a plastic bag will do)

  • Cut your plastic to an 18”x18” square
  • In the middle of your floor, use the duct tape to tape down all sides of the plastic sheet
  • There should not be any openings between the plastic and the concrete substrate. No air should penetrate under this plastic sheet
  • The plastic sheet should be taped down for a minimum of 16 hours prior to the arrival of the Rust-Oleum Service Company employee
  • At the time of the estimate, the Rust-Oleum Service Company employee will pull up the plastic sheet and evaluate the concrete substrate

At the time of the in-home consultation, the Rust-Oleum Service Company employee will advise you if your floor has a potential vapor transmission problem. If a vapor transmission issue is detected, Rust-Oleum Service Company will advise you not to coat the floor as there is potential for bubbling or peeling. Rust-Oleum Service Company does offer a modular flooring option for those customers that may not be a candidate for a coating system. Rust-Oleum Service will not coat any floor unless a “Plastic Sheet Test” is performed.

Plastic Sheet Test 1
Plastic Sheet Test 2