Speed to market is the primary KPI for retail construction managers. In a recent rollout for a national big-box retailer, the decision was made to rely on “spot checks” by the general contractor rather than comprehensive independent testing to save three days on the schedule.
Six months later, VCT tiles began cupping and lifting across 12 locations.
The Forensic Findings
IFTI was deployed for forensic analysis. Our data revealed:
- Relative Humidity (RH) Levels: Averaged 94% (Manufacturer limit was 85%).
- Alkalinity: Surface pH levels were near 12, degrading the adhesive.
- The Root Cause: The fast-track schedule did not allow the slabs to dry, and the “spot checks” were taken at the surface, not at the 40% depth required by ASTM F2170.
The IFTI Independent Value
Had IFTI been engaged during the pre-installation phase, our reporting would have flagged the high RH. We would have recommended a moisture mitigation system (from partners like Ardex, Schonox, or others—we do not manufacture mitigation, we only validate the need for it).
The cost of the mitigation would have been $15,000 per store. The cost of remediation, store downtime, and legal fees exceeded $250,000.
Protect your rollout. Standardize independent moisture testing with IFTI.