uncovered old parquet 'damp'

[Robbox]

We recently took up all the carpets and laminate flooring in your house. Underneath was original finger parquet flooring. We didn't see any signs of moisture, but when testing the parquet with a moisture meter, the hardwood strips are 14-15%. However, the underlying concrete slab is 5-8%. I tested the meter on known dry wood and got a low reading.
Why should the parquet show high moisture content, when the screed below is dry? This is all over.
Puzzled

 

[JP_]

I wondered who kept removing my carpets!

The moisture content of wood depends on the humidity in the room. Is the air moist? Is there insulation under the screed? If not, then could be condensation dampness.

 

[Robbox]

I wondered who kept removing my carpets!

The moisture content of wood depends on the humidity in the room. Is the air moist? Is there insulation under the screed? If not, then could be condensation dampness.

The weird thing is this, part of the floor was laminate with a fibre underlay...bone dry, and no signs of condensation on the back of the laminate.

 

[dazlight]

What meter you using to test for moisture ?

You can’t use the same measuring system for wood and concrete.

 

[Robbox]

What meter you using to test for moisture ?

You can’t use the same measuring system for wood and concrete.

It is one of those dual pin affairs that has a "wood or brick" setting. I know, pretty useless. I had it to test firewood.
I will gaffer down a few squares of plastic and see if condensation forms over the weekend. I think that has to be the simplest way to see if the floor has a damp issue. If nothing appears, then the meter is giving a false reading.

 

[Robbox]

I wondered who kept removing my carpets!

The moisture content of wood depends on the humidity in the room. Is the air moist? Is there insulation under the screed? If not, then could be condensation dampness.

I've got the dehumidifier running because the builders were mixing muck and the doors have been open to the sea breeze all day. Then I will see...

 

[dazlight]

How old is your house ?

If the sub floor is older then 1975 in won’t have a damp proof membrane underneath.

If it’s been covered up moisture can be trapped under a floor covering. If the floor is breathing it might not show any signs of damp.

If we have a floor that is pre 1975 we dpm it with Ardex DPM1c which works great.

 

[Robbox]

How old is your house ?

If the sub floor is older then 1975 in won’t have a damp proof membrane underneath.

If it’s been covered up moisture can be trapped under a floor covering. If the floor is breathing it might not show any signs of damp.

If we have a floor that is pre 1975 we dpm it with Ardex DPM1c which works great.

I agree dpm’s were not regs until the 70’s, but that’s not to say they weren’t used before then. The house is 1964, no way to really find out or if one knocks off plaster at floor level should the membrane be visible coming up from the slab?

Thinking I will bite the bullet and go DPM plus levelling compound. Builder will be annoyed as it will take him a day to pour.

As I said, where the screed is exposed, the meter reads low moisture....

 

[dazlight]

If it’s a pin meter it can’t read moisture in concrete.
Think your best to liquid dpm it.