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.

Do moisture meters really work?

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.

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.

How do I know if my moisture meter is accurate?

For a moisture meter, this means that if your meter is accurate, then you should be able to take a reading of a piece of wood twice, and get similar (if not identical) readings both times. If you measure twice in the same spot, with either a pinless or a pin-type meter, your results should be relatively consistent.

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.

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.

What level of moisture is acceptable?

A range of 5 to 12 percent is considered optimal. A reading of up to 17 percent is generally considered moderate moisture and acceptable. Any reading over 17 percent is considered to be an indication of saturation and the need to replace the drywall and to take preventative measures against future moisture buildup.

What is a bad moisture reading?

In general, any reading between 6 and 10% is considered normal here. Now if you are testing exterior wood that has direct contact with the surrounding humidity, you can tolerate values that are up to 20%. Things start to get worrying when the meter indicates higher values than 20%.

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.

Can moisture meters be wrong?

FALSE POSITIVES Moisture meters are subject to false positive readings for a number of reasons that are well documented in the industry. Non-invasive meters have more false positives than penetrating meters. The most common cause is metal hidden in or behind the material being checked.

What are acceptable moisture levels in a house?

The ideal relative humidity for health and comfort is somewhere between 30-50% humidity, according to the Mayo Clinic. This means that the air holds between 30-50% of the maximum amount of moisture it can contain.

How much moisture is acceptable in a wall?

Most houses have varying levels of humidity up to 50%, so moisture levels in drywall can vary from home to home. While relative humidity can have some effect on moisture levels, drywall is considered to have an appropriate level of moisture if it has a moisture content of between 5 and 12%.

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. Do moisture meters really…