Case Studies

Greenhouse Effect Spells Disaster
for Vinyl/Asbestos Flooring

University Dormitory Building, Southern California

Setting: A nine-story building located in a hilly area approximately 500 feet above sea level in Los Angeles. The building is undergoing a seismic upgrade. The flooring type is 30-year-old vinyl asbestos tile.

Problem: Throughout the building, the floor tile has disbonded and is "coming up" in various regions of the upper floor area. In addition, the tiles in portions of the lower, middle, and upper floor zones are peaking and cupping.

In discussing the history of the building, the client revealed that in the prior year, three windows were removed on each side of the building's upper floors-and that the floors, walls, and exterior of the building were covered with layers of plastic for several months in temperatures ranging from 30-100 degrees Fahrenheit. In addition, the building was flooded while still under "wraps". After the plastic was removed, the interior tile was found to be buckling and has worsened since.

Testing & Findings: IFTI performed a series of moisture and alkalinity tests throughout the affected areas. Based on the results, IFTI found a relatively high alkalinity condition, a high static moisture content, and excessive concrete moisture vapor emission problem.

After close physical inspection, IFTI determined that the period during which the building was covered in plastic -- and the ensuing dermatic temperature and humidity changes within -- created a greenhouse effect, which saturated the interior surfaces. Additionally, the long-term exposure to temperature changes coupled with exposure to rain water exceeded the tolerance of the tile and adhesives, causing the tile to disbond from the concrete substrate.

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