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The 8 Best Moisture Meters for Home Inspectors – Reviews 2021 General Tools MMH800 4-In-1 Combo Moisture Meter – Best Overall. SAM-PRO Dual Moisture Meter – Best Value. Protimeter BLD5365 Surveymaster Moisture Meter – Premium Choice. Dr. Extech MO50 Compact Pin Moisture Meter.
Do home inspectors use moisture meters?
Before a home is purchased, an inspector can use a moisture meter to determine if the house has leaks. A moisture meter can assist a homeowner in determining whether wood is dry enough to be painted or stained. Wood installers use moisture meters to make sure that wood is dry enough to be installed.
Which moisture meter is most accurate?
1. BEST OVERALL: Calculated Industries 7445 AccuMASTER Duo Pro Meter. The multifunctional Calculated Industries 7445 AccuMaster Duo Pro moisture meter features a pinless pad to test a large area, plus a switch to a pin-style measurement for accurate tests, within 3 percent at various depths.
Are pin or pinless moisture meters better?
Pin-type meters, in particular, have the advantage of being able to tell you the depth at which a moisture pocket in wood occurs. Pinless meters, on the other hand, are very good at scanning large areas of an object quickly. With these meters, there are no pins to constantly and carefully push in and out of the wood.
Are moisture meters worth it?
A soil moisture meter is worth the investment for the following reasons: A soil moisture meter can provide an accurate and numerical reading of soil moisture levels, so you will be better informed of when to quench the plants’ thirst or hold off on watering. They are easy to use.
How do Home Inspectors check for moisture?
While a professional home inspector will use thermal moisture measuring tools and fiber optic cameras, you can identify signs of moisture yourself without any fancy technology. Look for water stains on walls and floors. Check inside windows for condensation, ice or frost.
Why do home inspectors need moisture meters?
Moisture Meters in Home Inspection Ensure that no hidden pockets of moisture inside walls, beneath flooring or in other locations are overlooked or missed. These moisture problems, though invisible, can cause structural weakness, deterioration of materials and provide an ambient environment for mold and fungus to grow.
What is an acceptable moisture readings?
You should be aware that a moisture reading of 0-15% is quite normal and gives no cause for concern. However, moisture readings in excess of 15% indicate the need for further inspection. Levels between 25-30% indicate that there may be water ingress, meaning that remedial work could be required.
Are cheap moisture meters any good?
An inexpensive $25-50 pin type meter is good for measuring firewood. If you’re willing to accept a moisture reading with +/- 5% accuracy, you can probably get away with buying a cheap meter in the $25-50 range. So, a cheap $25-50 pin type moisture meter is good for firewood.
Can moisture meters be wrong?
A high-quality moisture meter used on the right material can be accurate to within less than 0.1% of the material’s moisture content by weight. However, a low-end moisture meter can be wildly inaccurate.
How accurate are wood moisture meters?
Most moisture meters are calibrated to wood, which provides a relatively accurate reading in wood moisture content. Typically, this scale ranges in the 5 to 40% range.
How do I choose a moisture meter?
Selecting a Moisture Meter The main criteria when selecting a moisture meter are moisture range (dry or green wood) and measuring depth (thin or thick boards). Moisture meter prices can range significantly from as low at $39 to over $300. If you are working with kiln dried lumber vs.
Are pinless moisture meters Good?
Pinless Moisture Meters Since they don’t poke holes in the wood they’re good for measuring the moisture level in fine furniture and expensive hardwood floors. Because different types of wood have different densities, users will need to make sure the meter is set to the correct specific gravity setting before measuring.
How do you keep soil moist but not wet?
Cover your soil with a blanket of organic material such as straw, leaves, shredded paper or cardboard, or bark. This will moderate soil temperature, prevent runoff and evaporation, and hold moisture in the for longer periods between waterings.
How dry should soil be before watering?
Too much water can be just as damaging to plants as too little water. Before watering, check your garden’s soil moisture with your finger. Push it into the ground around your plants. You want the top 2 or 3 inches of the soil to be dry, and the soil below that to be moist.
What should my soil moisture be?
Soil moisture is a measure of soil health, the water content present in a certain area of the ground. All plants need to be in a specific soil moisture range — the majority of plants thrive in soil with a moisture level that ranges between 20% and 60%.
How do you know if you have a moisture problem in your house?
One of the most frequently-encountered signs of a moisture problem is the presence of strong, musty odors. This odor is often caused by bacteria and mold growth that feeds on the excess moisture in a dark, cool space.
How do you tell if there is moisture in the walls?
Here are a few common signs that you have too much moisture in your home: Peeling paint or wallpaper. Water marks or staining. Wet spots on the wall or ceiling after rain. Water running down inside walls. Walls that feel damp to the touch. Visible mold. A musty, stale odor.
How do I test my basement for moisture?
Test for Moisture To test your basement for moisture, tape a piece of plastic or tin foil onto the basement floor. Seal around the edges and leave it for several days. If you get moisture on the exposed surface, then the problem is condensation.
Can a moisture meter detect mold?
One of the great benefits of using moisture meters in home inspections and safety surveys is their ability to detect mold colonies and dangerous building damage through moisture before the problem grows in severity.
What is an acceptable level of dampness in a wall?
So, knowing the relative humidity (RH) conditions is a must when trying to determine what a “safe” moisture content for wood walls is. For example, if the temperature in the room is around 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and the RH is 50%, then a “safe” level of moisture in the wall would be about 9.1% MC.
