Maximize Efficiency and Accuracy: Benefits of the Rapid RH L6
As a conscientious flooring installer, you know that installing a floor covering over a concrete slab could mean dealing with potential moisture issues. Moisture can destroy a floor relatively quickly, or the damage can occur over weeks or months.
This is why it’s always recommended to test for moisture in concrete before beginning the flooring installation. One of the best ways to test is with the Wagner Meters Rapid RH system, which is the most accurate form of concrete moisture assessment. Using these tests will save you time and money.
Let’s talk how.
- Overview of Rapid RH L6
- The Top 10 Benefits of the Rapid RH L6 System
- Why the Rapid RH L6 Stands Out
First, let’s do a quick overview of the system.
An Overview of the Rapid RH L6: Revolutionizing Moisture Testing
The Rapid RH L6 system is an advanced method of assessing the moisture conditions of a slab of concrete. It uses NIST-certified sensors that are inserted in 40% of the depth of the slab (20% if it’s drying from both sides).
There are three tiers of data gathering for the Rapid RH L6, which we’ll discuss in greater detail. The basic model comes with the Total Reader, which allows you to simply view the reading on the reader or extract data from the sensors, whether it’s sent to the DataMaster app on your smartphone or copying results on the provided sheets.
The next level comes with the DataGrabber, which allows you to record readings from the sensors even when you aren’t on the jobsite.
And the most advanced level is True Remote Monitoring, allowing you to check the current concrete RH conditions from anywhere in the world.
Here’s what all this means for you:
Top 10 Benefits of the Rapid RH L6 System
The Rapid RH L6 system offers a large number of benefits. Let’s focus on the top 10 that really stand out.
1. Fast and Accurate Readings
One of the top reasons the Rapid RH is a great choice is how quickly you can obtain readings and how accurate they are.
Other types of concrete tests can require many hours of labor to prepare, wait for, and examine the test results. Plus, there’s often a lot of meticulous preparation involved.
With the Rapid RH L6, you don’t have to endure any of that. It requires very little site preparation.
The test itself is easy and doesn’t take long to do. Once the sensor is inserted into the slab, you’ll have an accurate result in 24 hours, per the ASTM F2170 standard.
In most cases, one hour after installation, the L6 Smart Sensor will generally give a reading within 3-5% RH of the reading you would see after the ASTM-required 24-hour mark.
Quicker testing time means you can use that extra time to do other things in your business—tasks that actively generate income.
2. Easy Installation and Data Retrieval
Rapid RH is designed with easy installation in mind, saving you time and effort.
To install an RH L6 sensor requires only a few basic steps that take a matter of minutes:
- Drill a hole in the concrete with a ¾ inch drill bit.
- Vacuum out the hole and the surrounding area with the vacuum attachment provided in the kit. Clearing the area of debris will help ensure the accuracy of the test.
- Use a wire brush to scrape any pulverized concrete out of the hole.
- Vacuum out the hole again to remove any further debris.
- Slide the sensor into the hole.
Then, 24 hours after the sensor is placed, all you have to do is touch the reader to the top of the sensor to display the moisture data.
You can also place the DataGrabber on top, if you have one.
And that’s all there is to it! This process is a lot quicker than other ASTM-approved tests.
3. Optional Wireless Data Transmission
The Rapid RH is equipped with several methods of data transmission, all designed to make it simple and fast.
On the basic level, each individual sensor arrives in the kit already equipped with a memory chip. This is where information gets stored. The Total Reader will read the data in those chips.
If you install the DataMaster App, the Total Reader can send that information to the app through Bluetooth, and the app can compile and arrange the data in the way you want to view it.
If you have the DataGrabber, it will take the readings (which you can set to occur at certain intervals) and store them in memory while you’re away. Then you don’t even have to manually check each sensor. Instead, as soon as you walk within Bluetooth range of the sensors, the DataGrabber will automatically begin transferring the data to your DataMaster app.
The DataGrabber greatly enhances the mobility of your operation, but True Remote Monitoring takes this yet another step further. We’ll discuss this amazing feature of the Rapid RH system in a bit. For now, though, let’s get some more details on the ease of data transmission.
4. Real-Time Data Access
The DataMaster L6 app is one of the coordinating features of the Rapid RH system. This is because it gathers all the information from the sensors.
Like we mentioned above, the DataGrabber and Total Reader collect the data stored in each sensor and send it to the DataMaster app via Bluetooth.
This allows you to make an immediate analysis of the data. The app can generate reports, organize data, make comparisons, and so much more in a matter of seconds. No need to add numbers on a notepad or draw out a rough chart to compare readings. The app does it for you!
Another important factor to consider is that using the DataMaster app brings data integrity. Using the app, and transferring information through Bluetooth, allows you to put an extra layer of trust in the data you’re looking at. It’s harder to make mistakes recording the data that’s being sent directly from the sensors to the app—there’s very little chance for any human intervention.
Also, since the readings are stored in the memory chip as well as the app, you have an extra layer of protection. If the integrity of the app readings is questioned, you can return to the sensor and download the readings to check.
With manual data collection, mistakes are more likely to happen. But with this automated feature, you can have more peace of mind. Plus, you can generate “read-only” reports, ensuring the information won’t be changed once it passes to another party.
And the app is free! It’s included as a complimentary service to make your life easier.
As soon as you purchase the Rapid RH system, no matter the level, you can download this app to help with moisture reading and recording.
5. Comprehensive Data Management
The Rapid RH system makes logging, storing, and sharing data easy.
As noted, all the readings are stored in the sensors until you use the Total Reader or the DataGrabber to extract the data. The basic system comes with recording pages, so you can write down your results in an organized fashion on traditional paper if you choose to document your data that way.
If you have the DataMaster app, data storage and recording can be even easier. The app generates secure reports and stores data in an organized, easy-to-find manner.
The data logging is seamless as well, if you have the DataGrabber. Constant vigil is not necessary. You can insert the sensors and leave, and they will continue to take readings. When you return hours or days later, you can collect the readings and do nothing more with the sensor. It will continue taking readings for as long as you leave it in the concrete, with zero maintenance from you.
And, as previously mentioned, you can have even more control over your data with True Remote Monitoring. You can also share any amount of the collected data with clients, contractors, or other people involved in the process as soon as you get it. And you can collect this information from anywhere in the world.
6. Surface and In-Depth Moisture Assessment
Not only does the RH system involve sensors placed in the concrete, but you can also purchase a concrete moisture meter to help assess the surface of the slab. You can purchase the meter separately or you can purchase a larger Rapid RH kit that includes both the sensors and the meter.
Our concrete moisture meter, the C555, is useful in making an initial assessment of the slab.
Where are the wet spots? What areas are drying faster?
The meter clues you in to any significant trouble spots, allowing you to strategically place the RH sensors for maximum benefit.
With these two devices working together, you can save money by putting sensors in the areas that are showing the highest readings. That way, you can focus on the parts of the concrete that actually need more time to dry.
If the C555 is the only part of the Rapid RH system you’re able to use, you can be assured you will get the most accurate assessment with a meter to read the surface.
7. Stay Connected with True Remote Monitoring
True Remote Monitoring takes Rapid RH data gathering to the next level. The DataGrabber allows you to collect data automatically, without having to take the time to type or write it all down by hand. But True Remote Monitoring allows you to do this from anywhere in the world.
Anywhere you can connect to the internet or a cellular network, you can receive concrete moisture readings. We’ve paired with Floorcloud, a sensor system that works with the Rapid RH system. Floorcloud monitors the ambient conditions of the room, like temperature and relative humidity, constantly.
Then, the Rapid RH readings and Floorcloud are combined and sent to a cloud database. Once in the database, they’re compared to the manufacturer’s specifications.
All data is passed on to project leads through the wireless connection, but if the data is out of range of the specifications, alerts are sent to the project leads so they can be aware and take action.
With all these features and capabilities, True Remote Monitoring makes it so much easier to manage your projects. You can leave home for a business trip or vacation knowing you can still keep tabs on your projects, making work easier to plan out, schedule, and deal with the unexpected.
8. Durable and Reliable Tools
One extremely helpful feature of the Rapid RH system is that everything, down to the smallest part, is built for durability.
All the components are built tough with strong materials to help you get the job done no matter the conditions or type of jobsite.
9. User-Friendly Interface
All the parts of the Rapid RH system are designed to be easy to use. The pieces themselves are composed of few parts. The Total Reader also has built-in “Touch-n-Sense” technology, so it can take a reading as soon as it comes in contact with a sensor. It then holds that reading for five minutes, whether it’s in the test hole or not.
The DataGrabber and Total Reader both use Bluetooth as well, which isn’t dependent on functioning (or not) Wi-Fi or cellular networks.
For those who appreciate simple app designs, the DataMaster app is easy to navigate and has straightforward instructions.
10. Compliance with Industry Standards
For a job well done, and for a job that won’t come back to bite you for non-compliance with industry standards, the Rapid RH system is one of the best testing methods.
No matter what tier you use, you can be assured that you’ll be compliant with the ASTM F2170 standard.
For example, every test location has its own sensor, and each batch of sensors comes with an NIST-traceable certificate of calibration, ensuring the quality of the product.
Or, if you prefer not to do the paperwork, you can record the location of the sensor on a location map and file it with the certificate for the sensor. Either method works, and both achieve the end goal of compliance with industry standards and supporting your own high standards of quality.
Why Rapid RH L6 Stands Out
When you compare the Rapid RH L6 system with other concrete testing methods, it’s easy to see why it stands out.
This system works faster and more efficiently than any other concrete moisture measurement system. You can capture a reading in a day at most, and you have the option to view those results three different ways, allowing you to work more efficiently and with flexibility.
Aside from this, relative humidity testing is far more accurate than other testing methods. Take the calcium chloride test, for example. Once thought to be the king of concrete moisture measurement, it measures only the surface moisture, which cannot provide an accurate assessment of how much moisture is hidden deep within the concrete, just waiting to cause a floor failure.
Additionally, the calcium chloride test takes 72 hours to determine an answer!
At Wagner Meters, we’re always just one call away if you have questions about using or purchasing the Rapid RH system.
Many videos and articles are available to help you with Rapid RH, as well as educational webinars.
Explore Rapid RH
As a flooring installer, you know how important it is to provide your clients with well-performing, long-lasting floors. So when installing over a concrete subfloor, you make sure to take extra precaution to ensure that the floor covering above will remain free of warping or other forms of moisture damage.
The Rapid RH has shown itself to be reliably effective for proper concrete moisture testing. With its accuracy, speed, ease of use, and so many more benefits, it makes an obvious choice for a conscientious installer.
Ready to start using the Rapid RH system for yourself? Check out our store.
Jason has 20+ years’ experience in sales and sales management in a spectrum of industries and has successfully launched a variety of products to the market, including the original Rapid RH® concrete moisture tests. He currently works with Wagner Meters as our Rapid RH® product sales manager.
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