# Floor Prep Guide: the tests before a new floor goes down

> What each pre-install floor test measures, what a complete report shows, and how far manufacturers' published limits spread by floor type.

Source: https://floorprepguide.com

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[Floor Prep Guide](https://floorprepguide.com/)

[Tests](https://floorprepguide.com/#tests) · [Methodology](https://floorprepguide.com/methodology) · [Sources](https://floorprepguide.com/sources) · [About](https://floorprepguide.com/about)

# The floor tests behind your installer’s report

Before a new floor goes down, an installer or a testing firm may check what is under it: how much moisture is in the concrete or the wood, how flat it is, how the room is conditioned. This guide explains each test, what a complete report shows, and which number or missing item to ask about. It does not grade a report. Who publishes it, and what that company sells, is on the [about page](https://floorprepguide.com/about).

## Why is there no single limit?

The same test carries different published limits from one floor type to the next. The concrete RH probe is the plainest case: these are the limits manufacturers publish in the documents read for this guide, by floor type. Each range spans at least two companies’ documents. The method and the report are on the [concrete moisture test page](https://floorprepguide.com/astm-f2170-rh-test).

Concrete moisture test: the RH probe (ASTM F2170): published limits by floor type, from manufacturers’ documents.

| Floor type | Published limits | Documents | Conditions |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Rigid core vinyl | from 80 to 95 % RH | 6 documents [1](#ref-1) [2](#ref-2) [3](#ref-3) [4](#ref-4) [5](#ref-5) [6](#ref-6) | above it the warranty requires moisture mitigation [5](#ref-5) [6](#ref-6) |
| Glue-down LVT | from 90 to 99 % RH | 5 documents [7](#ref-7) [8](#ref-8) [9](#ref-9) [10](#ref-10) [11](#ref-11) | with Karndean K-99 HM adhesive [7](#ref-7) with Karndean DrySet adhesive [7](#ref-7) with Karndean K-Spray adhesive [7](#ref-7) with Karndean 2-part Epoxy adhesive [7](#ref-7) with K-99HM adhesive [8](#ref-8) with Mannington M-Grip adhesive [9](#ref-9) above it the document requires MS007 or MS009 adhesive [10](#ref-10) with MSI MS001 adhesive, on or above grade [11](#ref-11) |
| Laminate | from 75 to 80 % RH | 4 documents [12](#ref-12) [13](#ref-13) [14](#ref-14) [15](#ref-15) |  |
| Engineered hardwood | 75 % RH in each of the 2 documents | 2 documents [16](#ref-16) [17](#ref-17) | tests listed as required in residential/commercial applications; if both are run, both must pass [16](#ref-16) stated as ideal conditions [17](#ref-17) |
| Solid hardwood | from 75 to 80 % RH | 2 documents [18](#ref-18) [19](#ref-19) | the document lists the tests as required in commercial applications [18](#ref-18) above it: vapor retarder or further curing; concrete under an added wood subfloor; the floor may not be installed directly over concrete [19](#ref-19) |

Engineered hardwood

- NWFA guideline
  80 % RH[20](#ref-20)

  above it: wait for drying or install a Class 1 membrane[20](#ref-20)
- Manufacturers’ documents
  75 % RH in each of the 2 documents

  tests listed as required in residential/commercial applications; if both are run, both must pass[16](#ref-16)

  stated as ideal conditions[17](#ref-17)

Solid hardwood

- NWFA guideline
  80 % RH[20](#ref-20)

  above it: wait for drying or install a Class 1 membrane[20](#ref-20)
- Manufacturers’ documents
  from 75 to 80 % RH

  the document lists the tests as required in commercial applications[18](#ref-18)

  above it: vapor retarder or further curing; concrete under an added wood subfloor; the floor may not be installed directly over concrete[19](#ref-19)

The limit that binds you is in your product's installation document.

NWFA’s installation guidelines are an industry guideline, not the document for your product. Where the two differ, both are shown above.

## Which test is on your report?

1. [Concrete moisture test: the RH probe (ASTM F2170)](https://floorprepguide.com/astm-f2170-rh-test)

2. [Calcium chloride test (ASTM F1869)](https://floorprepguide.com/calcium-chloride-test)

3. [Concrete moisture meter](https://floorprepguide.com/concrete-moisture-meter)

4. [Wood subfloor moisture](https://floorprepguide.com/wood-subfloor-moisture)

5. [Subfloor flatness](https://floorprepguide.com/subfloor-flatness)

6. [Acclimation](https://floorprepguide.com/acclimation)

7. [Vapor barrier](https://floorprepguide.com/vapor-barrier)

8. [Radiant heat](https://floorprepguide.com/radiant-heat)

9. [Concrete pH test](https://floorprepguide.com/concrete-ph-test)

10. [Old floor removal and asbestos](https://floorprepguide.com/old-floor-removal-asbestos)

## Which floor is going down?

For each floor type, the tests whose limits manufacturers publish for it in the documents read.

- Rigid core vinyl
  - [Concrete moisture test: the RH probe (ASTM F2170)](https://floorprepguide.com/astm-f2170-rh-test)

  - [Calcium chloride test (ASTM F1869)](https://floorprepguide.com/calcium-chloride-test)

  - [Wood subfloor moisture](https://floorprepguide.com/wood-subfloor-moisture)

  - [Subfloor flatness](https://floorprepguide.com/subfloor-flatness)

  - [Acclimation](https://floorprepguide.com/acclimation)

  - [Vapor barrier](https://floorprepguide.com/vapor-barrier)

  - [Radiant heat](https://floorprepguide.com/radiant-heat)

  - [Concrete pH test](https://floorprepguide.com/concrete-ph-test)
- Glue-down LVT
  - [Concrete moisture test: the RH probe (ASTM F2170)](https://floorprepguide.com/astm-f2170-rh-test)

  - [Calcium chloride test (ASTM F1869)](https://floorprepguide.com/calcium-chloride-test)

  - [Concrete moisture meter](https://floorprepguide.com/concrete-moisture-meter)

  - [Wood subfloor moisture](https://floorprepguide.com/wood-subfloor-moisture)

  - [Subfloor flatness](https://floorprepguide.com/subfloor-flatness)

  - [Acclimation](https://floorprepguide.com/acclimation)

  - [Vapor barrier](https://floorprepguide.com/vapor-barrier)

  - [Radiant heat](https://floorprepguide.com/radiant-heat)

  - [Concrete pH test](https://floorprepguide.com/concrete-ph-test)
- Laminate
  - [Concrete moisture test: the RH probe (ASTM F2170)](https://floorprepguide.com/astm-f2170-rh-test)

  - [Calcium chloride test (ASTM F1869)](https://floorprepguide.com/calcium-chloride-test)

  - [Concrete moisture meter](https://floorprepguide.com/concrete-moisture-meter)

  - [Wood subfloor moisture](https://floorprepguide.com/wood-subfloor-moisture)

  - [Subfloor flatness](https://floorprepguide.com/subfloor-flatness)

  - [Acclimation](https://floorprepguide.com/acclimation)

  - [Vapor barrier](https://floorprepguide.com/vapor-barrier)

  - [Radiant heat](https://floorprepguide.com/radiant-heat)
- Engineered hardwood
  - [Concrete moisture test: the RH probe (ASTM F2170)](https://floorprepguide.com/astm-f2170-rh-test)

  - [Calcium chloride test (ASTM F1869)](https://floorprepguide.com/calcium-chloride-test)

  - [Concrete moisture meter](https://floorprepguide.com/concrete-moisture-meter)

  - [Wood subfloor moisture](https://floorprepguide.com/wood-subfloor-moisture)

  - [Subfloor flatness](https://floorprepguide.com/subfloor-flatness)

  - [Acclimation](https://floorprepguide.com/acclimation)

  - [Vapor barrier](https://floorprepguide.com/vapor-barrier)

  - [Radiant heat](https://floorprepguide.com/radiant-heat)
- Solid hardwood
  - [Concrete moisture test: the RH probe (ASTM F2170)](https://floorprepguide.com/astm-f2170-rh-test)

  - [Calcium chloride test (ASTM F1869)](https://floorprepguide.com/calcium-chloride-test)

  - [Concrete moisture meter](https://floorprepguide.com/concrete-moisture-meter)

  - [Wood subfloor moisture](https://floorprepguide.com/wood-subfloor-moisture)

  - [Subfloor flatness](https://floorprepguide.com/subfloor-flatness)

  - [Acclimation](https://floorprepguide.com/acclimation)

  - [Vapor barrier](https://floorprepguide.com/vapor-barrier)

References (20)

References

1. 1 Armstrong/AHF Rigid Core SPC Locking Installation. Armstrong Flooring (AHF). [https://www.armstrongflooring.com/cdn/installation/afi/AF-Rigid-Core-SPC-Locking-Installation-System.pdf](https://www.armstrongflooring.com/cdn/installation/afi/AF-Rigid-Core-SPC-Locking-Installation-System.pdf). Read 2026-11-13. [↩](#c-rigid_core-0)

2. 2 COREtec Pro SPC Residential Installation Guidelines (Shaw/USFloors). Shaw (USFloors COREtec). Revision: 11052024. [https://pdmsview.shawinc.com/USFloors/COREtec-Pro/Installation/Residential-Installation-Guidelines-for-SPC-Produc](https://pdmsview.shawinc.com/USFloors/COREtec-Pro/Installation/Residential-Installation-Guidelines-for-SPC-Produc). Read 2026-11-13. [↩](#c-rigid_core-1)

3. 3 Mannington ADURA Max Install Guide. Mannington. rev. 05.16.2024. [https://assets.ctfassets.net/r69d9lchftro/qCw4Uqxa3cq2fI1bKVby9/76c789d4ccc805eb4069ffb98068d7b4/ADURA_Max_InstallGuide2024_01F.pdf](https://assets.ctfassets.net/r69d9lchftro/qCw4Uqxa3cq2fI1bKVby9/76c789d4ccc805eb4069ffb98068d7b4/ADURA_Max_InstallGuide2024_01F.pdf). Read 2026-11-13. [↩](#c-rigid_core-2)

4. 4 Mohawk SolidTech Installation. Mohawk. Rev. October 2018. [https://mohawk.blob.core.windows.net/mohawkflooring/pdf/install/SolidTech_Installation.pdf](https://mohawk.blob.core.windows.net/mohawkflooring/pdf/install/SolidTech_Installation.pdf). Read 2026-11-13. [↩](#c-rigid_core-3)

5. 5 MSI Everlife Rigid Core flyer. MSI. [https://cdn.msisurfaces.com/files/flyers/rigid-core-everlife-lvt-flyer.pdf](https://cdn.msisurfaces.com/files/flyers/rigid-core-everlife-lvt-flyer.pdf). Read 2026-11-13. [↩a](#c-rigid_core-4)[↩b](#k-rigid_core-0-0)

6. 6 MSI Hybrid Rigid Core Installation Guide. MSI. [https://cdn.msisurfaces.com/files/flyers/hybrid-rigid-core-installation-guide.pdf](https://cdn.msisurfaces.com/files/flyers/hybrid-rigid-core-installation-guide.pdf). Read 2026-11-13. [↩a](#c-rigid_core-5)[↩b](#k-rigid_core-0-1)

7. 7 Karndean Gluedown Installation Guideline USA. Karndean. KD80333GLO | October 2023. [https://karndeancommercial.com/globalassets/karndean/b2c-blocks/b2c-document-listing-block/usa/installation-guides/karndean-gluedown-installation-guideline-usa.pdf](https://karndeancommercial.com/globalassets/karndean/b2c-blocks/b2c-document-listing-block/usa/installation-guides/karndean-gluedown-installation-guideline-usa.pdf). Read 2026-11-13. [↩a](#c-glue_down_lvt-0)[↩b](#k-glue_down_lvt-0-0)[↩c](#k-glue_down_lvt-1-0)[↩d](#k-glue_down_lvt-2-0)[↩e](#k-glue_down_lvt-3-0)

8. 8 Karndean K-99HM Adhesive Installation Guide. Karndean. 240902. [https://www.karndeancommercial.com/globalassets/karndean-commercial/blocks/b2b-brochure-listing-block/usa/install-guides/us-karndean-k99-hm-adhesive-installation-guide-240902.pdf](https://www.karndeancommercial.com/globalassets/karndean-commercial/blocks/b2b-brochure-listing-block/usa/install-guides/us-karndean-k99-hm-adhesive-installation-guide-240902.pdf). Read 2026-11-13. [↩a](#c-glue_down_lvt-1)[↩b](#k-glue_down_lvt-4-0)

9. 9 Mannington ADURA Flex Installation Instructions. Mannington. Copyright © 2026. [https://assets.ctfassets.net/r69d9lchftro/72wp40QH7Sjze2rfjb2mBs/eda3a968f13c3aebe68000069be092bd/ADURAFlex_Installation_Instructions_2026.pdf](https://assets.ctfassets.net/r69d9lchftro/72wp40QH7Sjze2rfjb2mBs/eda3a968f13c3aebe68000069be092bd/ADURAFlex_Installation_Instructions_2026.pdf). Read 2026-11-13. [↩a](#c-glue_down_lvt-2)[↩b](#k-glue_down_lvt-5-0)

10. 10 MSI Everlife Acclima Glue-Down Installation. MSI. [https://cdn.msisurfaces.com/files/flyers/acclima-gluedown-installation.pdf](https://cdn.msisurfaces.com/files/flyers/acclima-gluedown-installation.pdf). Read 2026-11-13. [↩a](#c-glue_down_lvt-3)[↩b](#k-glue_down_lvt-6-0)

11. 11 MSI MS001 Adhesive TDS. MSI. revision: 081522. [https://cdn.msisurfaces.com/files/flyers/ms001.pdf](https://cdn.msisurfaces.com/files/flyers/ms001.pdf). Read 2026-11-13. [↩a](#c-glue_down_lvt-4)[↩b](#k-glue_down_lvt-7-0)

12. 12 Mannington Restoration Collection Laminate Installation. Mannington. Copyright © 2026. [https://assets.ctfassets.net/r69d9lchftro/4DiXQqXdjMnyAJ4HL02eit/d9d8899188d5e7b4d8d8f0236622add0/Restoration_Collection_Laminate_Installation_Instructions_2026.pdf](https://assets.ctfassets.net/r69d9lchftro/4DiXQqXdjMnyAJ4HL02eit/d9d8899188d5e7b4d8d8f0236622add0/Restoration_Collection_Laminate_Installation_Instructions_2026.pdf). Read 2026-11-13. [↩](#c-laminate-0)

13. 13 Mohawk RevWood Plus Installation Instructions. Mohawk. [https://mohawk.blob.core.windows.net/mohawkflooring/pdf/install/Revwood_Plus_Installation_Instructions.pdf](https://mohawk.blob.core.windows.net/mohawkflooring/pdf/install/Revwood_Plus_Installation_Instructions.pdf). Read 2026-11-13. [↩](#c-laminate-1)

14. 14 Pergo Installation Essentials Guide (Mohawk). Pergo (Mohawk). [https://mohawk.blob.core.windows.net/pergo/pdfs/Installation_Essentials_Guide_Combined.pdf](https://mohawk.blob.core.windows.net/pergo/pdfs/Installation_Essentials_Guide_Combined.pdf). Read 2026-11-13. [↩](#c-laminate-2)

15. 15 Quick-Step Studio installation (Unilin). Quick-Step (Unilin). Edition Date: 04/01/2020. [https://pdf.lowes.com/installationguides/604743166056_install.pdf](https://pdf.lowes.com/installationguides/604743166056_install.pdf). Read 2026-11-13. [↩](#c-laminate-3)

16. 16 Bruce Engineered 3/8-9/16. Bruce (AHF). LA-295727-422. [https://www.bruce.com/cdn/content/sites/2/210049.pdf](https://www.bruce.com/cdn/content/sites/2/210049.pdf). Read 2026-11-13. [↩a](#c-engineered_wood-0)[↩b](#k-engineered_wood-0-0)[↩c](#mk-0-0-0)

17. 17 Hallmark Engineered Wood Installation. Hallmark. 05-2026. [https://hallmarkfloors.com/pdfs/Installation-Instructions-Eng-Wood-WEB.pdf](https://hallmarkfloors.com/pdfs/Installation-Instructions-Eng-Wood-WEB.pdf). Read 2026-11-13. [↩a](#c-engineered_wood-1)[↩b](#k-engineered_wood-1-0)[↩c](#mk-0-1-0)

18. 18 Bruce Solid 3/4" Strip and Plank. Bruce (AHF). LA-295726-120, © 2020. [https://www.bruce.com/cdn/installation/212080.pdf](https://www.bruce.com/cdn/installation/212080.pdf). Read 2026-11-13. [↩a](#c-solid_wood-0)[↩b](#k-solid_wood-0-0)[↩c](#mk-1-0-0)

19. 19 Mullican Solid Wood Flooring Installation. Mullican Flooring. [https://www.mullicanflooring.com/jm-resources/tech-docs/installation/SolidInstallationInstructions.pdf](https://www.mullicanflooring.com/jm-resources/tech-docs/installation/SolidInstallationInstructions.pdf). Read 2026-11-13. [↩a](#c-solid_wood-1)[↩b](#k-solid_wood-1-0)[↩c](#mk-1-1-0)

20. 20 NWFA Installation Guidelines. NWFA. Revised © 2025. [https://nwfa.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/NWFA-Installation-Guidelines.pdf](https://nwfa.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/NWFA-Installation-Guidelines.pdf). Read 2026-11-13. [↩a](#g-0)[↩b](#gk-0-0-0)[↩c](#g-1)[↩d](#gk-1-0-0)

This guide is published by a company that sells flooring materials in the United States, including some of the floor categories and brands whose documents it cites. The company is not named here. It does not install floors, and no brand pays to be included or ranked.

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Documents last read 2026-11-13; the sources page lists each one with its read date.

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