How to Use a Moisture Meter | Ask This Old House

[@robertbamford8266]

Had a section of damaged flooring replaced. Replacement waited until the moisture content of the exposed subfloor matched the moisture content of several samples of the undamaged floor. It happened to be 11%, which I thought was high. But what mattered was that same measurements were found on several spots around the room.

[@csimet]

I have that Klein non-destructive meter.. the second one he showed. Works well and very reasonably priced (

[@benjaminkoval3807]

Saw that last week before the show watched other utube vides went and got the klein and the pin one and the klein helped find the problem with the smell at work on the wall, they come in handy.

[@Honestandtruth007]

Thank you for the informative video 👍

[@rosstret]

You’re welcome! Thanks for watching

[@Mspikes]

Great video. I had a contractor come out to assess water issues around my home who tried to sell me a system that would cost me $12-15k using only the thermal cam. Nice to know they weren’t totally off the mark, but that they should have used some of the other tools to verify the readings.

[@JasonChapman-s4g]

What manufacturer and model thermal gun is that?

[@rosstret]

We use Flir thermal imaging cameras. The one we used in the segment is the Flir e60. It has since been replaced. But it’s my favorite tool!

[@danielelse3914]

"So, which one are you taking?" Looks like Kevin has amassed quite a toolbox from all these videos. 😅

[@rosstret]

Yes he has! 😂

[@osoriony]

I am painting my wood siding. I removed the paint completely on some of the planks. After the first primer coat I power washed all the siding. I have seen innumerable concepts online regarding how long you should wait before painting siding to avoid moisture in the wood ruining the paint. Is there any way to check for moisture in these situations, and what is the number in percentage of humidity to have as safe?

[@supernatural2130]

I have the GENERAL brand, model MMD4E w/pins Moisture Meter. It has 2 modes BLDG/WOOD I need to test drywall. Do I use BLDG mode?

[@watchmenpropertyinspection3469]

yes

[@rosstret]

Yup, BLDG for drywall

[@xoxo2008oxox]

Tools like this will save home buyers from crooked builders, flippers and sellers. Home inspectors if suspicious of water damage, can get a reading without invasive or damaging techniques to warn buyers and lenders of hidden damage.

[@richconrad4554]

Can it read if there is water under a vinyl floor? Our shower overflowed a little, and I'm nervous is moisture is trapped under thr floor. Or will it dry since the heat is on now(low humidity) , and it was a one-time thing?

[@dtemp132]

Generally, there needs to be an ongoing source of moisture for something to stay wet. I wouldn't be too worried about a one-time small-ish exposure staying wet for a long period of time.

[@Direct_Home_Inspections]

Yes it can. Always compare to a known dry area. Not all materials measure the same. Anything over 14% is considered wet but it's not an absolute

[@2shay74]

I am here because my dishwasher leaked (brand new install) and the restoration company came out and used the pin meter on the floor joists and subfloor in my basement, it was reading 80% in some parts as I looked at his meter. I now have all kinds of fans and dehumidifiers going. How much water is too much water to dry out?

[@saidtheblueknight]

For a little more than those proding moisture meters you can get a FLIR attachment for your smartphone that does the same thing as those infrared guns.

[@jn1mrgn]

"Water in the house, not a good situation" yeah that's why the city turned mine off. Just looking out for me.

[@AlphaMale_1]

What about saltwater flood. Saltwater is 1,000,000 x (per Wikipedia) more electrically conductive than clean fresh water?

[@CarputingYT]

Oh the Moist Critical boys are going to have a field day with this one

[@drummingbad9358]

One correction here: The average (affordable) Moisture meters dont work on concrete. Though they make speciality one in the hundreds of dollars for concrete

[@kperkins1982]

Somebody needs to tell Keven about moisturizer

[@kperkins1982]

sorry Keven@@Kevin-mp5of

[@wuldntuliktonoptb6861]

Always say hard water damage never use that M word (mold), if you do the insurance company will say oh that’s old damage and not cover anything.

[@donc-m4900]

Almost looks like cement board, not drywall.

[@grantguy8933]

Or touch it feeling the wetness

[@rd-ch1on]

That's what she said

[@dougruwe288]

It’s not always wet to the touch if it’s on the other side of the drywall. Not always visible either.

[@Direct_Home_Inspections]

Doesn't always work that way

[@rosstret]

Unfortunately your fingers wouldn’t feel the drywall being wet in this case, the moisture was from the back, and diffused through.

[@atomicburrito]

"That sweet spot is that 6-9 percent range" 69 ladies and gentlmen.

[@the-bu3lb]

99% don’t have. FlIr gun or can afford it

[@rosstret]

Klein KT-140 is ~$50. And Flir makes thermal imaging cameras that attach to your phone for under $200 now

[@MrElemonator]

It can also tell you when your girlfriend is ready 🤓

[@rosstret]

😂

[@Nafpaktos-Florida]

What about a basement? That’s what us homeowners care about

[@Direct_Home_Inspections]

Yes, it applies for foundation walls as well. Always compare to a known dry area. Anything over 14% is considered active. I'm making a video about them soon. Use these exact ones for home inspections.

[@Daniel_yah]

Moist

[@rd-ch1on]

That's what she said

[@Daniel_yah]

@@rd-ch1on yep lol

[@herculesrockefeller8969]

Don't read my comment.

[@JimDean002]

Too late

[@shyhand1]

I haven't got a clue What you guys are basically saying because you don't fill in the blanks What a waste of a video

[@Operator87]

Doesn't fill in the blanks? Not every video is going to cover 100% of cases. Are you bad at Google? You've complained with out adding anything useful to trying to help your issue. What blanks are you missing?

[@nelsonbrum8496]

​@@Operator87He's either an illegal alien or product of inner city public school system...

[@nelsonbrum8496]

​@@Operator87or homeschooled by a dog.