Moisture Content Meter

Moisture content measurement is one of the key elements of a home inspector’s work. They help find water leaks in walls and floors, as well as moisture ingress or moisture accumulation due to weather conditions.

Moisture causes many problems including deteriorating building materials and worsened living conditions.Mold is a known factor contributing to many respiratory problems.Home inspectors play a dual role here as protector of material possessions (keeping a home value high), and as a guardian of our well-being.

Moisture meters are divided into two main groups: contact instruments and non-contact testers. Contact moisture meters come with pins built into them or a pinned external probe. With pins you press them against wood to provide good contact or you drill holes in concrete or similar hard materials before making a measurement. This method of measurement is also called destructive, as pins leave marks.

The other group called non-contact or non-destructive has a sensing plate incorporated into the back of the instrument. The plate sends a signal into the material below it and senses the amount of moisture in it, then reports it on a digital screen. Instruments in that group usually measure moisture down to ¾ of an inch, as building material density does not allow the signal to travel any deeper.

What companies make good quality moisture meters?

Here are a few for your reference: Amprobe, Extech, Flir, General Tools, Testo and Tramex.

Valuetesters.com is an authorized distributor of the above brands.

Please contact us for a technical advice related to product selection for your application: 602-795-8292, online chat, or email: [email protected]