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moisture meter

4K views 7 replies 5 participants last post by  HeadHoncho 
#1 ·
Anyone have any recmmendations for a reasonly priced moisture meter
 
#6 ·
If it is for wood, any meter that gives you a reading of 8-12% moisture content for most species of wood used in interior/exterior building materials is fine. The US Forestry Service says that wood will acclimate to a moisture content of 8-12% in the Northeast. Anything over 15% may indicate a moisture problem if the moisture reading is high after a period of dry weather. I have a Delmhorst that has 1/4 prongs and 6" insulated prongs that determine the moisture content of insulation through wood siding. Although is it destructive, it beats taking off the siding to measure Tyvek, Felt, or insulation. My meter is 20+ years old and still works great. Any of those already suggested are fine. I like to have a measurement that I can record in various areas of a house/structure that I can show the client that at the time the coating was installed, the moisture was within spec. Sometimes it changes and compromises the system you installed 6 months ago because of blocked gutters, ice dams, poor drainage, poor construction etc. Many times a moisture meter can get you out of a jam, and a photo with date of the reading is good record keeping.
 
#5 ·
The Sonin moisture meter works great


They do have a cheaper 'tester', not actually a meter, out now
But it's half the price

I'm sure it works just as well, but won't differentiate between say 12 and 18 percent moisture
 
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