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Moisture Meter Brands, Models, Sources, Features
Guide to
Choosing a Moisture Meter to Screen Buildings for Leaks, Moisture Traps, Rot, Insect Damage, or Mold
- POST a QUESTION or COMMENT about how to use moisture meters to check for building leaks, hidden damage, mold, insects, rot - reliabilty, procedures, proper usage
Moisture meter brands, types, manufacturers, sources & prices.
This article lists examples of moisture meters useful for measuring building materials such as concrete, wood, plaster. We give examples of the differences between pin type moisture meters and electronic sensor moisture measuring devices and explain the particular uses of each type of moisture meter.
This article series explains the use and reliability of different types of moisture detection equipment to find water entry problems on buildings. We demonstrate where moisture meters work successfully and where (and why) they don't.
InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website.
- Daniel Friedman, Publisher/Editor/Author - See WHO ARE WE?
Where to Buy a Moisture Meter: Moisture Meter Brands, Models, Features & Typical Price Comparisons
Note: here we list only devices specifically designed to measure moisture level in typical building materials (wood, plaster, drywall, concrete); we exclude humidity measuring devices (moisture in air), and similar devices
Watch out when pricing moisture meters, not only for the fundamental limitations of various moisture meter device types, but also because some retailers quote a "lowball" price that does not include equipment that you need to use the meter, such as probes.
Also note that this list is incomplete; many of these manufacturers offer a wide range of moisture meter models with varying prices & features.
Photo: a Delmhorst moisture meter with long probes attached to the probe handle. The green insulation on the probes was intended to allow the user to probe through insulation to test the moisture of a hidden surface beyond.
[Click to enlarge any image].
Popular Moisture Meter Brands, Models, Features & Prices
- Amprobe MT-10 Moisture Meter ($50. U.S.) pin type, moisture meter, Contact Amprobe:
Sales and technical support：1-877-267-7623
Product questions：info@amprobe.com Web: https://www.amprobe.com/product/mt-10/
Website excerpts:
Measurement ranges: Wood/ Paper: 8 ~ 60% Building material: 0.3 – 2.0% Temperature: 0°C ~ 40°C or 32°F ~ 99°F
Used in indoor air quality applications for detecting moisture in the walls, floors and ceilings stimulating mold growth
Amprobe MT10 MOISTURE METER MANUAL [PDF] (2009)
Above: traditional Delmhorst pin type moisture meters. This meter includes a long-sensor pin that can be attached for deep probing - shown below in a closer-view.
- Delmhorst moisture meters, Delmhorst Instrument Co., 51 Indian Lane East Towaco, NJ 07082-1025, 877-DELMHORST (335-6467) or (973) 334-2557, Email: info@delmhorst.com, Website: http://www.delmhorst.com/
- Delmhorst Moisture Meter Model # BD-2100, ($350. U.S.), pin type; Gypsum scale 0.2 - 50% moisture range; similar Delmhorst moisture meter models range in price from about $150. to $350.
- Delmhorst F-6 Hay Moisture Meter ($200. U.S.) pin type [not suitable unless you are inspecting straw bale construction]
- Wide range of moisture meters & features
- The author has used Delmhorst equipment for more than two decades
- DUSIEC Handheld MD812 Digital Wood Moisture Content Meter ($20. U.S.), pin type, Lcd Display, 5-40%
- EXTECH MO100 Moisture Meter, ($70. U.S.) Wood or Drywall
- in various models
- Extech moisture meter, MO210, ($100. U.S.) pocket sized, pin type
- Extech MO 265 moisture meter ($300. U.S.) shown above, permits measuring moisture using either a pin-type probe moisture sensor or an electronic sensor that avoids leaving pin marks on surfaces and that can pick up moisture inside of various materials.
- Extech MO257, pinless moisture meter ($225. U.S.), moisture content 0-100%, Measurement Depth from 0.78 In. (20mm) to 1.6 In. (40mm) Below the Surface
- EXTECH MO295 Pinless Moisture Meter, ($400 U.S.), moisture content 0-99%, intended for use with wood or "building materials", Data Logging
- Extech MO290 ($500)
- Wide range of moisture meters & features
- GE Protimeter BLD2000 Mini Moisture Meter, ($125.- $240. U.S.), pin type LED Display, 6-90%
- Protimeter BLD7751L Hygromaster L Fast Response Thermo Hygrometer with Short QuikStick Humidity Sensor, 0-100% RH (shown above)
- GE Protimeter BLD5360 Surveymaster Dual Function Moisture Meter, ($400. U.S.) pin type, extension cord for pins, LCD and LED Display
- Wide range of moisture meters & features
- General Tools MMD4E Digital Moisture Meter ($30. U.S.) pin type
Highly-rated, low price. - Lignomat Moisture Meter Mini-Ligno E/D, ($100. U.S.) pin type
- NEEWER® Digital Wood Moisture Meter Humidity Tester, pin type 4 Pin with LCD, 5-40%, looks a lot like the DUSIEC
- Presto PTM 2020 Hand-Held moisture meter, 1-42 DLF Industrial Area, Phase 1, Delhi Mathura Rd., Fardibad 121003, Haryana India, Mobile: +91 9210 903 903 /Tel: +91 129 4272727 Email: info@prestogroup.com Web: https://www.prestogroup.com/products/handheld-moisture-meter-ptm-2020/
- Sonin 50211 Rapitest ($32. U.S.) 10% to 28%, Pinless + pins on 3 ft. extension cord, Analog, Wood, Concrete, Plaster, Carpet, etc. Moisture Meter
- Tramex Moisture Meters (wide product range for lumbre, wood, concrete, other materials),
TRAMEX - U.S.A. and Canada, Tramex Corporation Sales & Service, Black Hawk Sales Inc., 4901 Fox Ridge Court Fort Collins,CO 80524, Tel: 970 488 1898 Tel: 303 284 1361 (Canada Sales Direct Line) Fax: 877 525 9279 Email: sales@tramexltd.com, Website: http://www.tramexltd.com/
TRAMEX LTD.- Ireland Station House, Shankill Business Center, Shankill, Co. Dublin, Ireland Tel: +353 1 239 3224 Fax: +353 1 282 7880 Email: sales@tramex.ie- CMEX II Concrete Moisture Meter (Digital), includes plug-in pin type sensor & a relative humidity probe;
- Concrete Encounter CME4
- MRH III Moisture and Humidity Measurement Meter (Digital)
- Moisture Encounter PLUS (similar to the author's older model shown at above-left)
- Compact Moisture Meter, pin type (also tested by the author), moisture content 7-42%
- Professional Moisture Meter (Digital) pin type
- RWS Roof and Wall Scanner - "multi-mode hand held moisture detection instrument for non-destructive moisture scanning, surveying, and leak tracing in the building envelope, including built up, non-conductive single ply membranes, modified and foam roofing systems and EIFS (Exterior Insulation Finishing Systems). This instrument combines the features of the popular Tramex Leak Seeker and the Wet Wall Detector"
- Wide range of moisture meters & features - Below, the Tramex pin-type compact moisture meter, held by the author. .
- The author has used Tramex equipment for more than two decades
...
- Trotec (shown above) moisture meters
- Wagner Moisture Meters (wide product range for lumber, wood flooring, concrete); Wagner Meters 326 Pine Grove Road Rogue River, OR, 97537, Email: support@wagnermeters.com , Website: http://www.wagnermeters.com/
Compare these moisture meter features or properties
Photo:the Tramex Moisture Encounter in use by the author to make relative or comparative moisture level measurements in a fiber cement product.
Details are at SIDING, FIBER CEMENT MOISTURE LEVELS.
- Pin type vs. electronic type moisture sensor. Pin type sensors must penetrate the material to sense moisture; accuracy may be affected by the paint coating or other factors, and cannot measure moisture behind ceramic wall tile or similar obstructions.
- Low-cost pin type moisture meters usually have short pins affixed to the device and cannot penetrate into wall cavities, hay bales, insulation, or other deeper locations
- Long pin type moisture meters and meters that provide a remote pin sensor (such as our older Delmhorst meter) make it easier to measure moisture in hard-to-reach locations.
- Electronic type ("pinless) moisture sensors can measure behind ceramic tile, penetrate building cavities to varying depths, are completely non-invasive, non-damaging to surfaces; electronic moisture meters can be fooled by the presence of (or used to detect the presence of) electrical wiring, metal piping, foil faced insulation, metal lath or similar materials within the building cavity
- Measurement depth: depending on the material, the electronic or "pinless" moisture meter is capable of measuring to some specified depth below the surface onto which it is placed. This ability exceeds pin type moisture meters that rely on direct contact with the moist materia.
But don't forget to consider the depth limitation when reaching conclusions; our article above showed that in a 2x4 stud wall, a device not capable of sensing moisture at least five inches away won't detect wet sheathing on the exterior surface of a wall cavity when used indoors. - Some electronic or pinless moisture meters also include an attachable probe for making pin type surface measurements.
- Measurement depth: depending on the material, the electronic or "pinless" moisture meter is capable of measuring to some specified depth below the surface onto which it is placed. This ability exceeds pin type moisture meters that rely on direct contact with the moist materia.
- Data logging: not necessary for typical building inspection or painting use, but may be required for forensic investigation, studies, or legal work.
- Moisture range: moisture meters vary in reporting range
- Moisture meter accuracy: moisture meters vary significantly in accuracy, though for relative or comparative measurements accuracy may be less of a concern.
- Moisture meter durability: for building & home inspectors - will the meter survive a drop from waist height to the floor?
- Scale choices: some moisture meters are single purpose with only a wood scale; useful are scales for masonry materials or a wider range of materials.
...
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On 2021-05-24 by (mod) - InspectApedia.com does not sell anything: no products nor services
@THERESIA MALIVA,
Sorry but this is a website that provides information at no charge to the public. To protect reader trust and confidence we don't sell any products and we have no connection to any product or company that may be discussed here.
However if you use the on Page search box to search for
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You will find our article series that includes a listing of manufacturers of a variety of those devices
MOISTURE METER CHOICES
On 2021-05-20 by THERESIA MALIVA
helo,
I am urgently in need of Moisture Meter for Wood,
Am in Tanzania,East Africa.
Please contact me through my phone number +255742858076 for normal call and watsup.
Thanks,
Theresia.
...
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Citations & References
In addition to any citations in the article above, a full list is available on request.
- Mark Cramer Inspection Services Mark Cramer, Tampa Florida, Mr. Cramer is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors and is a Florida home inspector and home inspection educator. Mr. Cramer serves on the ASHI Home Inspection Standards. Contact Mark Cramer at: 727-595-4211 mark@BestTampaInspector.com
- John Cranor [Website: /www.house-whisperer.com ] is an ASHI member and a home inspector (The House Whisperer) is located in Glen Allen, VA 23060. He is also a contributor to InspectApedia.com in several technical areas such as plumbing and appliances (dryer vents). Contact Mr. Cranor at 804-873-8534 or by Email: johncranor@verizon.net
- Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction, by Steven Bliss. John Wiley & Sons, 2006. ISBN-10: 0471648361, ISBN-13: 978-0471648369, Hardcover: 320 pages, available from Amazon.com and also Wiley.com. See our book review of this publication.
- Decks and Porches, the JLC Guide to, Best Practices for Outdoor Spaces, Steve Bliss (Editor), The Journal of Light Construction, Williston VT, 2010 ISBN 10: 1-928580-42-4, ISBN 13: 978-1-928580-42-3, available from Amazon.com
- The Journal of Light Construction has generously given reprint permission to InspectAPedia.com for certain articles found at this website. All rights and contents to those materials are ©Journal of Light Construction and may not be reproduced in any form.
- Appliances and Home Electronics, - energy savings, U.S. Department of Energy
- Avongard FOUNDATION CRACK PROGRESS CHART [PDF] - structural crack monitoring
- BASEMENT MOISTURE CONTROL [PDF] U.S. Department of Energy
- Building Failures, Diagnosis & Avoidance, 2d Ed., W.H. Ransom, E.& F. Spon, New York, 1987 ISBN 0-419-14270-3
- Building Pathology, Deterioration, Diagnostics, and Intervention, Samuel Y. Harris, P.E., AIA, Esq., ISBN 0-471-33172-4, John Wiley & Sons, 2001 [General building science-DF] ISBN-10: 0471331724 ISBN-13: 978-0471331728
- Building Pathology: Principles and Practice, David Watt, Wiley-Blackwell; 2 edition (March 7, 2008) ISBN-10: 1405161035 ISBN-13: 978-
- CRAWL SPACE MOISTURE CONTROL [PDF] U.S. Department of Energy
- Design of Wood Structures - ASD, Donald E. Breyer, Kenneth Fridley, Kelly Cobeen, David Pollock, McGraw Hill, 2003, ISBN-10: 0071379320, ISBN-13: 978-0071379328
This book is an update of a long-established text dating from at least 1988 (DJF); Quoting:
This book is gives a good grasp of seismic design for wood structures. Many of the examples especially near the end are good practice for the California PE Special Seismic Exam design questions. It gives a good grasp of how seismic forces move through a building and how to calculate those forces at various locations. THE CLASSIC TEXT ON WOOD DESIGN UPDATED TO INCLUDE THE LATEST CODES AND DATA. Reflects the most recent provisions of the 2003 International Building Code and 2001 National Design Specification for Wood Construction. Continuing the sterling standard set by earlier editions, this indispensable reference clearly explains the best wood design techniques for the safe handling of gravity and lateral loads. Carefully revised and updated to include the new 2003 International Building Code, ASCE 7-02 Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures, the 2001 National Design Specification for Wood Construction, and the most recent Allowable Stress Design. - Diagnosing & Repairing House Structure Problems, Edgar O. Seaquist, McGraw Hill, 1980 ISBN 0-07-056013-7 (obsolete, incomplete, missing most diagnosis steps, but very good reading; out of print but used copies are available at Amazon.com, and reprints are available from some inspection tool suppliers). Ed Seaquist was among the first speakers invited to a series of educational conferences organized by D Friedman for ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors, where the topic of inspecting the in-service condition of building structures was first addressed.
- Domestic Building Surveys, Andrew R. Williams, Kindle book, Amazon.com
- Defects and Deterioration in Buildings: A Practical Guide to the Science and Technology of Material Failure, Barry Richardson, Spon Press; 2d Ed (2001), ISBN-10: 041925210X, ISBN-13: 978-0419252108. Quoting:
A professional reference designed to assist surveyors, engineers, architects and contractors in diagnosing existing problems and avoiding them in new buildings. Fully revised and updated, this edition, in new clearer format, covers developments in building defects, and problems such as sick building syndrome. Well liked for its mixture of theory and practice the new edition will complement Hinks and Cook's student textbook on defects at the practitioner level. - Guide to Domestic Building Surveys, Jack Bower, Butterworth Architecture, London, 1988, ISBN 0-408-50000 X
- "Avoiding Foundation Failures," Robert Marshall, Journal of Light Construction, July, 1996 (Highly recommend this article-DF)
- "A Foundation for Unstable Soils," Harris Hyman, P.E., Journal of Light Construction, May 1995
- "Backfilling Basics," Buck Bartley, Journal of Light Construction, October 1994
- "Inspecting Block Foundations," Donald V. Cohen, P.E., ASHI Reporter, December 1998. This article in turn cites the Fine Homebuilding article noted below.
- "When Block Foundations go Bad," Fine Homebuilding, June/July 1998
- Historic Preservation Technology: A Primer, Robert A. Young, Wiley (March 21, 2008) ISBN-10: 0471788368 ISBN-13: 978-0471788362
- LOG HOMES: MINIMIZING AIR LEAKAGE [PDF] U.S. Department of Energy
- Manual for the Inspection of Residential Wood Decks and Balconies, by Cheryl Anderson, Frank Woeste (Forest Products Society), & Joseph Loferski, October 2003, ISBN-13: 978-1892529343,
- Masonry Design for Engineers and Architects, M. Hatzinikolas, Y. Korany, Canadian Masonry (2005), ISBN-10: 0978006100, ISBN-13: 978-0978006105
- Masonry Structures: Behavior and Design, Robert G. Drysdale, Ahmid A. Hamid, Lawrie R. Baker, The Masonry Society; 2nd edition (1999), ISBN-10: 1929081014, ISBN-13: 978-1929081011
- Masonry, Engineered: Using the Canadian Code, J. I. Gainville, Cantext publications (1983), ASIN: B0007C37PG
- Masonry, Non-reinforced masonry design tables, Hans J. Schultz, National Concrete Producers Association and the Canadian Masonry Contractors Association (1976), ASIN: B0007C2LQM
- MOISTURE CONTROL in BUILDINGS [PDF] U.S. Department of Energy
- MOISTURE CONTROL in WALLS [PDF] U.S. Department of Energy
- Quality Standards for the Professional Remodeling Industry, National Association of Home Builders Remodelers Council, NAHB Research Foundation, 1987.
- In addition to citations & references found in this article, see the research citations given at the end of the related articles found at our suggested
CONTINUE READING or RECOMMENDED ARTICLES.
- Carson, Dunlop & Associates Ltd., 120 Carlton Street Suite 407, Toronto ON M5A 4K2. Tel: (416) 964-9415 1-800-268-7070 Email: info@carsondunlop.com. Alan Carson is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors.
Thanks to Alan Carson and Bob Dunlop, for permission for InspectAPedia to use text excerpts from The HOME REFERENCE BOOK - the Encyclopedia of Homes and to use illustrations from The ILLUSTRATED HOME .
Carson Dunlop Associates provides extensive home inspection education and report writing material. In gratitude we provide links to tsome Carson Dunlop Associates products and services.
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