DEFINITION
In the industry, substrates should always be tested in order to determine if the substrate is porous or non-porous.
- A substrate is called porous or absorbent when a liquid is drawn into and tends to fill permeable pores in a porous solid body.
- A non-porous substrate or non-absorbent, will be impermeable to liquids.
ASTM F-3191
1. Substrate must be clean and free of dust
2. Place a single drop of portable water (quarter size) on the substrate using a pipette
3. Results determination
Length of Time to Absorb | Substrate Determination |
---|---|
<1 minute | Porous/Absorptive |
> 1 minute | Non-Porous/Non Absorptive |
4. Perform three tests for the first 2,000 ft2 and at least one for each additional 3,000 ft2.
Note: the size, shape and color of the water drop may indicate the presence of contaminants onto the substrate.
Porous
Non-Porous
SIKA RECOMMENDATIONS
Each of these primers will give you what you need for your floor before any installation of Sika® Level underlayment and other varieties of floor covering
Sika® Moisture Barriers such as Sika® MB and Sika® MB Redline and Sika® adhesives such as SikaBond®-T55, T35, T21, T15 and T100 require a porous substrate.