A Moisture Meter, also called a damp meter, is an ideal portable device for measuring moisture levels in a variety of building materials, including wood, brick, concrete, and plasterboard. These indicators are essential for detecting moisture or water damage early and helping prevent mold growth and structural damage. Both are expensive to repair and can harm health and safety.
Categories of Moisture Meters:
These meters are categorised into two broad types: pinned and pin-less. Both are portable and have a screen that displays readings on the front. The meter is available in a digital format with a backlit LCD or in an analogue version with a needle scale. Since these meters work slightly differently, choosing the best counter for the task at hand will depend on your application and environment.
This type of meter has a pair of sharp metal pins on the top of the device and works by measuring the amount of electrical resistance between two points. When a metallic pin is inserted into the material, a small amount of current flows between the two tips. To our knowledge, water or moisture is a good conductor, so the higher the moisture content, the lower the resistance value. The material converts measurements to percent moisture content (% CM).
This pin-less meter works by detecting the effect of the presence of moisture in the material on the waveform. Non-destructive counters work best on flat surfaces thanks to clever internal circuitry that generates a signal that is transmitted through a detection area on the back of the device. The signal is transmitted as an electromagnetic wave, and the moisture content is converted into a scalable format for reading the moisture content.
Normal Readings on Moisture Meters:
It is crucial to know that a humidity reading of 0–15% is entirely normal and nothing to worry about. However, humidity levels above 15% indicate that further testing is required. Levels between 25 and 30% indicate that there may be water infiltration, which means corrective work may be necessary.
Typical Applications:
These meters are the ideal tools for various applications, depending on the type you will be using. It is best for:
- Property and construction:
Building inspectors use these damp meters to help identify hot spots hidden behind plaster that can damage structures and buildings from moisture buildup.
- Woodworkers and carpentry:
Wood is naturally high in moisture, and once it is air-dried, a kiln meter is used to detect the moisture content to ensure the material is dry enough to work with.
It is essential to determine the best conditions for laying a screed, concrete, or wooden floor. Particular attention should be paid to the material's moisture content and the room's relative humidity. Otherwise, problems such as distortion, cracking, and buckling may occur.
Enrgtech offers a range of high-quality and reliable Moisture Meters from leading brands, including Wurth Elektronik and RS Pro.
