Table of Content
The pin moisture meter also can measure the temperature of the material within 4 degrees to help quickly track down leaks. Unlike other models that require lengthy user manual reads and have complicated settings, this affordable meter has everything we need to know displayed right on the front. We liked the wide range, though we suspect that anything above 70 percent would probably feel like it was dripping wet to the touch. The only real drawback of the Proster is that it’s for wood use only, meaning it isn’t very helpful for locating leaks or moisture in building materials.
Leaky roofs and past flooding that didn’t properly dry are two of the biggest danger points for moisture collection and mold growth. A good home inspection moisture meter is an essential tool for measuring hidden moisture in those areas and determining how widespread a visible problem might be. Normally, we love testing products, but this moisture meter test was tough. First, every meter had a different range and accuracy rating, which made establishing baselines difficult. We’ll try not to gush, but the Lignomat Moisture Meter is pretty much everything you need from a moisture meter, and it’s by far the easiest to use in the group. First, this thing doesn’t even have a power button; simply poke it into a piece of wood and it will give you a reading.
Dangers of Cracks in Brick Walls
Test in the same places, in the same ways, and for the same reasons. In the end, correcting moisture problems in your house will protect your family and your home. Strive to maintain a comfortable level of relative humidity between 30-50%.
Anything above 1% MC in drywall would indicate a level of moisture that could compromise the integrity of the gypsum board. The two most difficult places to identify water issues are finished basements and exterior walls. Those are two places where we absolutely can’t guarantee that we’ll find water, but we sure try. Yep, that’s a common question asked by home buyers during the scheduling process. If I were limited to only doing one single thing during a home inspection, nothing else, it would be checking for moisture.
Air Quality & Mold Testing
I then recommended him to my cousin who used him to buy a home too. Now I am recommending him to my next client that had an offer accepted this morning. Restoration Builders is a national roofing company serving residential homeowners throughout the country. We offer lifelong relationships with honest pricing and excellent quality for our clients.
If you have frequent problem areas in your home or in a high-moisture basement or cellar, a moisture meter can take regular readings to quickly identify and treat mold growth. This model from Wagner Meters features a measurement range of 4 percent to 32 percent. It also comes with a chart that allows the user to calibrate it to a specific value assigned to a species, offering the most reliable readings possible. And, unlike many other pinless meters, this model can take measurements in wood as thick at 1.5 inches, or the full thickness of a stud. Should you question its calibration, it comes with a calibration plate for checking at any point.
What to Consider When Buying a Moisture Meter
Furthermore, improve the integrity and reliability of your findings by supplementing your moisture meter readings with additional, supporting facts. For example, note the discoloration of the wall and the difference in surface temperature detected by your thermal imaging camera. Zero moisture is unrealistic -- even wood used to frame a house contains some amount of moisture. Slightly higher readings may be normal for your house, but excessively high readings require immediate attention. We’re dedicated to providing our clients with the very best in service, installation, and inspections for all phases of you roofing needs.
Mold in a household is unfortunately very common, when ignored or left alone it can lead to migranes, nausea, respiratory issues, and more. Moisture meters, like most electronic devices, can pack plenty of additional features to make the task easier. One of these features is a temperature display that can track a hot or cold water leak. Finding excess moisture in a structure should be reported, with recommendations for the appropriate contractor to correct the situation, if warranted.
PRAGUE PROPERTY INSPECTIONS
Although it doesn’t have a tremendous range, it was incredibly accurate and consistent. Truth be told, we used this model as the baseline for accuracy in our test. The moisture meter should include the features a DIYer wants but also have a reputation for durability and long life. Consider options that have a rubberized casing, a heavy-duty design, or shock resistance built in. These moisture meters will survive a few falls without damage and make a great investment because they’ll need to be replaced less frequently.
And like an attic, moisture issues stemming from a crawlspace can make their way to other parts of a home. Make the most of the right home inspection moisture meter to give them the information they need to protect themselves and their property for years to come. A dependable moisture meter may boast an accuracy within 3 percent of the reading, with some professional-grade models getting within 0.5 percent. Smaller, more precise scales provide more accurate measurement and frequently come in meters used in the flooring and fine carpentry industry to ensure optimal moisture percentage. However, most DIYers would benefit more from a broader scale range so they can use the same meter for many applications. A product’s durability is important to anyone who will be using a moisture meter regularly on job sites.
In general, a reading of 5 to 12 percent is optimal, but a normal reading on a moisture meter depends on the material. Drier materials like drywall should have lower moisture readings of around 5 to 7 percent. Damp materials like wall studs and framing lumber have acceptable moisture levels of up to 12 percent. Pinless moisture meters, so named for their lack of measurement pins, do not penetrate the material to get a reading. Instead, a plate on the back of the meter lays flat against the material and a high-frequency signal travels through it.
In fact, he recommends home inspectors calibrate their moisture meters prior to each inspection. For example, if your moisture meter displays a high reading, you may want to investigate that area further by looking for signs of discoloration, staining, or swelling. To check for outdoor sources of moisture, conduct an exterior inspection. Look for blocked vents and downspouts, evidence of wicking or splash-back, and any damaged roofing or exterior building envelope materials. High moisture levels and relative humidity in the home can lead to a host of health problems and construction damage. As crawlspaces have concrete floors, there’s a higher probability for moisture content in the space and surrounding materials.
Avoid absolutes in your reporting and, instead, opt for words like “may” and “can” to describe what your moisture meter’s reading might indicate. Water vapor affects the relative humidity of the home, and besides affecting your comfort level, it can affect your health and lead to serious problems with your building materials, such as dry rot. So, how can you be sure if the walls in a structure have a safe level of moisture? One way to check is to use a moisture meter that is optimized for building inspection work like the BD-2100. With wood, it can be harder to generalize what a safe amount of moisture is.
Excess moisture can cause deterioration as the freeze-and-thaw cycle occurs. Search for signs of mold and mildew, especially in bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms and utility rooms. Mold and mildew appear as brown, orange, green, black or white discolorations.
No comments:
Post a Comment