Too soon to put down semi-solid wood floors?

KazDub

We have an extension with a concrete floor of 6 inches. The floor has been completed for roughly two months now. We have decided to put down semi-solid wood, which we already have bought, but are unsure of whether or not it's too soon to lay it.
The supplier said that 5% moisture content of the concrete was the recommended limit and it's currently reading at 12-14%. We don't know if we should hold off and wait out the full 'inch per month' drying time, or to go with a heavy gauge underlay (as well as the regular underlay) to completely moisture-proof the floor. The suggestion from the wood supplier was to run the membrane up the wall and cut it off behind the skirting board. This would allow us to lay the floor straight away, the moisture from the floor would escape up through the walls.
Are there any wooden floor experts here who would suggest that it's ok to do this, is the 12-14% current moisture content ok if we just use the normal underlay (novostrat)? What about about any other kind of solutions we haven't though of?

e.r

You can apply a surface DPM. Like applying paint to the floor and you can install the timber no problem

Calahonda52

KazDub wrote: »

This would allow us to lay the floor straight away, the moisture from the floor would escape up through the walls.

This is not a good idea, even with solid walls all the way around which is not the case, you have doors I presume.

What is the wall makeup, internal and external?

e.r wrote: »

You can apply a surface DPM. Like applying paint to the floor and you can install the timber no problem

This equally is not a good idea.

e.r

You can apply a surface DPM. Like applying paint to the floor and you can install the timber no problem

muffler

e.r wrote: »

You can apply a surface DPM. Like applying paint to the floor and you can install the timber no problem

Do ya know any other songs? :rolleyes:

KazDub

Calahonda52 wrote: »

you have doors I presume.

Yes, one to an adjoining room and one external.

What is the wall makeup, internal and external?

Bear with me as I'm no builder!


Brick, insulation board, plaster and on the outside is plaster /pebble dash.

e.r

muffler wrote: »

Do ya know any other songs? :rolleyes:

That's a great suggestion ðŸ‘

KazDub

So, unfortunately, it looks like even here there's no consensus on how best to proceed. Any further input on why the membrane isn't a good idea? We need to make an informed decision but are getting conflicting information every which way we turn.

endasmail

This is one of them hit and miss threads
Chances are the floor would be fine if it was put down allowing for expansion along edges
There is a small possibility that the floor could bubble in time if floor was damp

Tis your call OP

Bonzo Delaney

Could the heating be put on and a dihumidifier put in the room to take the moisture out.
Personally wouldn't lay a floor at anything over the recommended moisture content also wouldn't be mad on the idea of trapping the excessive moisture in the floor by sealing it in

mylesm

pick a section of the floor approx 50cm square get a piece of clear plastic and tape it down to floor all around the edge wait a couple of days and see if droplets appear on plastic this will tell you if floor is still damp

2 months is really very short time for a slab to dry fully I would wait longer if you could