Why should i use a Moisture Meter?
Home Inspectors, Pest Control Operators and EIFS inspectors know that Moisture intrusion is the single most important factor affecting the integrity of building structures. ABQ Industrial offers Moisture Meter packages specifically manufactured to meet the needs of inspectors. Proper use of a Moisture Meter allows the inspector to easily identify the source of Moisture and to locate areas in the building that have been affected by moisture.
How does a Moisture Meter work?
There are two types of Moisture Meters typically used by the home inspector: 1) Pin-type Meters, which utilize the principle of electrical resistance, use wood or other hygroscopic materials as an element in a circuit by driving two pins or electrodes into it.
2) Pinless Meters use radio frequency signals to penetrate the material being tested. There is no pin intrusion into the surface of the material you are checking.
Can i use a Moisture Meter to check for pest infestation?
Yes -- a few Meter readings in key locations of the structure will quickly indicate if the areas are safe or in danger of infestation. We recommend using pin-type Meters for pest control applications as the best way to identify the exact point of infestation behind walls and ceilings. The key to finding hidden Moisture is to use an electrode with insulated contact pins. These pins read only at their un-insulated pin tips, allowing the contractor to drive the pins into material at different depths, noting readings at each level of penetration. A pinless Meter is a good way to identify infested areas, as long as you do not have to penetrate into a hidden material.
At what level of Moisture does infestation or decay occur?
Wood technologists and pest control experts agree that most fungi need at least 20% MC. Readings higher then 20% is susceptible to mold growth and decay. Readings in the 17%-20% are borderline and normally require further testing. On the other hand infestation can occur at much lower levels, especially in humid conditions. Old House Borer and Powderpost Beetles can attack wood that falls in the 12-13% range.
Which type of Moisture Meter works best for EIFS?
To quickly identify wet areas, a pinless Meter is easy to use. Pinless Meters offer the convenience of testing a large area quickly, and help you determine if further testing is required in certain spots.
Pinless Meters read Moisture closest to the source of the magnetic field, in this case, at the surface. Most pin-less Meters read at a depth from 1/2" to 1". Moisture that resides in the substrate or insulation may go undetected without using a deep penetrating electrode. It is also important to remember that any metal or other conductive material behind the EIFS may give false readings.
A pin type Meter, on the other hand, is the best way to identify the exact location of Moisture in the substrate and framing. A pin-type uses two pins that penetrate into the building at the users desired depth. When insulated contact pins are used, only the uncoated tips are exposed to the wood fiber, providing an accurate reading of Moisture content at various levels of penetration. Pin-type Meters are the only instruments that allow the inspector to identify exact location of Moisture at a given point.
Many EIFS inspectors use both types of Meters. They can quickly identify problem areas using a pin-less Meter, and also use a pin-type Meter to identify exact location of Moisture in the wood substrate.
Where does most Moisture intrusion occur in EIFS clad houses?
Most Moisture intrusion occurs around windows, doors and any flashing. In many cases the Moisture intrusion is directly related to poor installation practices.
How can i find Moisture in the substrate or frame of the house.
The most effective way to check for Moisture in the substrate or frame is to us our 21-E electrode with 6" penetration pins. This method allows you to locate Moisture behind the EIFS without it having to be torn away.
How Do I Keep a Delmhorst Meter in Good Working Condition?
Delmhorst Moisture Meters are well known for their ruggedness and ability to withstand years of rough handling. Like any testing instrument, a little care goes a long way toward trouble-free service:- Store the Meter in clean, dry place
- Change batteries and pins as needed
- Keep the Meter and electrode clean by using any biodegradable cleanser sparingly on external parts only.
If you have any doubt about the working condition of your Meter, send it to Delmhorst. We can repair and re-calibrate your instrument to its original standards and return it to you quickly.
Moisture Meters for Wood
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Delmhorst BD-10 Analog Pin-Type Moisture Meter for Building Inspection
Price: $480.00 - $760.00
Delmhorst BD-10 Analog Pin-Type Moisture Meter for Building Inspection
Easy-to-read analog display.
Built-in calibration check.
Integral contact pins mounted on top of meter provide 5/16” penetration. -
Delmhorst BDX-20 Pin-Type Moisture Meter for Building Inspection
Price: $450.00 - $555.00
Large, custom display with auto backlight - easy to read under all conditions
Wood temperature correction (°F/°C)
Alarm set point - alerts to user-selected MC level -
Delmhorst BDX-30 Pin-Type Moisture Meter for Building Inspection
Price: $555.00 - $905.00
Delmhorst EDGE™ app with Bluetooth® connectivity
Large, custom display with auto backlight - easy to read under all conditions
Species/Materials – download up to 15 into the meter out of 37 available -
Delmhorst PROSCAN Pinless Wood Moisture Meter
Price: $535.00
Delmhorst PROSCAN Pinless Wood Moisture Meter
Fast, accurate and non-destructive
Handheld, compact, lightweight
Easy-to-read digital display -
Wagner Orion 910 Deep Depth Pinless Wood Moisture Meter Kit
Price: $430.00
Wagner Orion 910 Deep Depth Pinless Wood Moisture Meter Kit
Ranges for wood: 4.0% to 32.0%
Storage Temperature and Humidity: +32˚F to +110˚F (+0˚C to +43˚C) -
Wagner Orion 920 Shallow Depth Pinless Wood Moisture Meter Kit
Price: $430.00
Wagner Orion 920 Shallow Depth Pinless Wood Moisture Meter Kit
Ranges for wood: 4.0% to 32.0%
Operating Temperature Range: +32˚F to +110˚F (+0˚C to +43˚C) -
Wagner Orion 930 Dual Depth Pinless Wood Moisture Meter Kit
Price: $525.00
Wagner Orion 930 Dual Depth Pinless Wood Moisture Meter Kit
Ranges for wood: 4.0% to 32.0%
Operating Temperature Range: +32˚F to +110˚F (+0˚C to +43˚C) -
Wagner Orion 940 Data Collection Pinless Wood Moisture Meter Kit
Price: $599.00
Wagner Orion 940 Data Collection Pinless Wood Moisture Meter Kit
Ranges for wood: 4.0% to 32.0%
Operating Temperature Range: +32˚F to +110˚F (+0˚C to +43˚C) -
Wagner Orion 950 Smart Pinless Wood Moisture Meter Kit
Price: $645.00 - $749.00
Wagner Orion 950 Smart Pinless Wood Moisture Meter Kit
Ranges for wood: 4.0% to 32.0%
Operating Temperature Range: +32˚F to +110˚F (+0˚C to +43˚C) -
Tramex ME5 Moisture Encounter Non-Destructive Moisture Meter
Price: $600.00
Tramex ME5 Moisture Encounter Dual-Depth
5 Ranges of sensitivity: Wood & Timber / Shallow Depth / Drywall & Roofing / Plaster & Tile / Masonry
Dual-Depth penetration allows for comparative of surface and core moisture and elimination of substrate influence on the testing of coverings. -
Delmhorst In-Kiln Monitoring / Kil-Mo-Trol System
Call for Price
Track wood drying progress
Pinpoint problem areas in the kiln
Determine end-point for shutdown -
Humimeter BMC Wood Chip Moisture Meter
Price: $2,395.00 - $2,995.00
Humimeter BMC Wood Chip Moisture Meter
Range: 5 to 50% with 0.5% resolution and accuracy of ±1.5%
Automatic temperature compensation
Includes built-in memory for 10,000 values
BMC-USB includes USB data output
Moisture Meters for Concrete
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DeFelsko PosiTest CMM Check Standard Concrete
Price: $575.00
Easy-to-read digital display takes the guesswork out of analog scales
Storage of 200 readings - stored readings can be viewed or downloaded
Weatherproof, dustproof, and water-resistant - IP65-rated enclosure -
DeFelsko CMMISKITB PosiTector CMM IS In Situ Concrete Moisture RH Meter, Basic Kit
Price: $445.00
DeFelsko CMMISKITB PosiTector CMM IS In Situ Concrete Moisture RH Meter, Basic Kit: 3 CMM IS probes, 3 Saturated Salt Solutions, 3 Calibration Check Chambers, 3 Caps, Extraction Tool, Tape Measure, Ten A-76/LR-44 coin cell batteries
Easily collect and report measurements in conformance with ASTM F2170Combined sleeve and probe design simplifies the installation process and does not require consumables
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DeFelsko CMMISKITC PosiTector CMM IS In Situ Concrete Moisture RH Meter, Complete Kit
Price: $775.00
DeFelsko CMMISKITC PosiTector CMM IS In Situ Concrete Moisture RH Meter, Complete Kit: 5 CMM IS probes, 5 Saturated Salt Solutions, 5 Calibration Check Chambers, 5 Caps, Extraction Tool, Tape Measure, Vacuum Tool Attachments, Ten A-76/LR-44 coin cell batteries, Hard shell carrying case
Easily collect and report measurements in conformance with ASTM F2170Combined sleeve and probe design simplifies the installation process and does not require consumables
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DeFelsko CMMISKITP3-E PosiTector CMM IS In Situ Concrete Moisture RH Meter, Pro Kit
Price: $1,970.00
DeFelsko CMMISKITP3-E PosiTector CMM IS In Situ Concrete Moisture RH Meter, Pro Kit: PosiTector DPM3 Advanced, 5 CMM IS probes, 5 Saturated Salt Solutions, 5 Calibration Check Chambers, 5 Caps, Extraction Tool, Tape Measure, Vacuum Tool Attachments, Ten A-76/LR-44 coin cell batteries, Hard shell carrying case
Easily collect and report measurements in conformance with ASTM F2170Combined sleeve and probe design simplifies the installation process and does not require consumables
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DeFelsko CMMIS1PK PosiTector CMM IS Expansion Kit, 1 Pack
Price: $145.00
DeFelsko CMMISKITB PosiTector CMM IS Expansion Pack, 1 Pack: 1 CMM IS probe, 1 Saturated Salt Solution, 1 Calibration Check Chamber, 1 Cap, 2 coin cell batteries
Easily collect and report measurements in conformance with ASTM F2170 -
DeFelsko CMMIS4PK PosiTector CMM IS Expansion Pack, 4 Pack
Price: $565.00
DeFelsko CMMIS4PK PosiTector CMM IS In Situ Concrete Moisture RH Meter, 4 Pack: 4 CMM IS probes, 4 Saturated Salt Solutions, 4 Calibration Check Chambers, 4 Caps, 10 coin cell batteries
Easily collect and report measurements in conformance with ASTM F2170 -
DeFelsko CMMIS16PK PosiTector CMM IS Expansion Pack, 16 Pack
Price: $2,185.00
DeFelsko CMMIS16PK PosiTector CMM IS In Situ Concrete Moisture RH Meter, 16 Pack: 16 CMM IS probes, 16 Saturated Salt Solutions, 16 Calibration Check Chambers, 16 Caps, 40 coin cell batteries
Easily collect and report measurements in conformance with ASTM F2170 -
Tramex CME5 Concrete Moisture Encounter Non Destructive Moisture Meter
Price: $645.00
Tramex CME5 Concrete Moisture Encounter Non Destructive
Clear easy-to-read analog dial
Instant and precise readings to a depth of approximately 3/4" into the slab.
Reproducible and reliable results -
Tramex CMEX5 Concrete Moisture Encounter X5
Price: $975.00
Tramex CMEX5 Concrete Moisture Encounter X5
4 Modes of Measurement
8 Simple Membrane Keypad Controls
Display Digital -
Caisson VI-D4 Concrete Moisture Meter
Price: $299.00
Concrete Moisture Meter
Measuring depth of 2 inches (50 mm)
7 Built-in Factory Calibrations
Gold Plated Sensors
5-Year Warranty -
Tramex CMP Concrete Moisture Probe
Price: $805.00
Instant and Accurate
Designed to work in the same drill-hole made for the F2170 test
Eliminate confusion between in-situ Relative Humidity tests and surface Moisture Content tests -
Wagner C555 Handheld Concrete Moisture Meter Kit
Price: $545.00
Wagner C555 Handheld Concrete Moisture Meter Kit
ASTM F2659 compliant
Digital display
Measures to 0.5-inch depth
Moisture Meters for Drywalls
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Delmhorst BDX-20 Pin-Type Moisture Meter for Building Inspection
Price: $450.00 - $555.00
Large, custom display with auto backlight - easy to read under all conditions
Wood temperature correction (°F/°C)
Alarm set point - alerts to user-selected MC level -
Delmhorst BDX-30 Pin-Type Moisture Meter for Building Inspection
Price: $555.00 - $905.00
Delmhorst EDGE™ app with Bluetooth® connectivity
Large, custom display with auto backlight - easy to read under all conditions
Species/Materials – download up to 15 into the meter out of 37 available -
Tramex ME5 Moisture Encounter Non-Destructive Moisture Meter
Price: $600.00
Tramex ME5 Moisture Encounter Dual-Depth
5 Ranges of sensitivity: Wood & Timber / Shallow Depth / Drywall & Roofing / Plaster & Tile / Masonry
Dual-Depth penetration allows for comparative of surface and core moisture and elimination of substrate influence on the testing of coverings. -
Tramex MRH III Moisture and Humidity Meter
Price: $690.00
Tramex MRH III (MRH3) Tramex Moisture & Humidity Meter
Moisture testing of wood, drywall, masonry, roofing and other construction materials
Deep signal penetration up to over 1" into the materials being tested without the need to damage the surface -
Delmhorst BD-2100 Digital Pin-Type Moisture Meter for Building Inspection
Discontinued Product
Delmhorst BD-2100 Digital Pin-Type Moisture Meter for Building Inspection
Bright, clear digital display
Averages up to 100 accumulated readings
Built-in calibration check -
Tramex MEP Moisture Encounter Plus Moisture Meter
Discontinued Product
Measurement method: Non-destructive moisture measurement, 1" (25 mm) signal penetration depth
Display: Analog Meter -
Delmhorst G-79 Gypsum Moisture Meter
Discontinued Product
Delmhorst G-79 Gypsum Moisture Meter
Easy-to-read analog display
Measures moisture in gypsum using a three-range scale: (0.2%-1%, 1%-8%, and 8%-50%)
Built-in battery and calibration check
Moisture Meters for Walls and Roofs
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Tramex ME5 Moisture Encounter Non-Destructive Moisture Meter
Price: $600.00
Tramex ME5 Moisture Encounter Dual-Depth
5 Ranges of sensitivity: Wood & Timber / Shallow Depth / Drywall & Roofing / Plaster & Tile / Masonry
Dual-Depth penetration allows for comparative of surface and core moisture and elimination of substrate influence on the testing of coverings. -
Tramex MEX5 Moisture Encounter and Humidity Meter
Price: $1,020.00
Moisture and Humidity meter for building and home inspection
With optional pin and relative humidity probes
Deep Depth penetration of up to 1¼" (30mm) and Shallow Depth penetration of up to ⅜" (10mm) -
Tramex RWS Roof Moisture Meter and Wet Wall Scanner
Price: $1,970.00
Tramex RWS Roof Moisture Meter and Wet Wall Scanner (Combined Leak Seeker for Roofing & Wet Wall Detector for EIFS)
Measuring Range:
Four ranges of sensitivity up to a maximum depth of 4” (10 cm)
Display: Analog
Industry: Commercial roofing, EIFS, Water Restoration, Inspection/Surveying -
Tramex DSAL Dec Scanner Moisture Scanner for Roofing
Price: $9,345.00
Tramex DSAL Dec Scanner - Roofing Moisture Scanner Detector
Measuring Range: 0 to 100 Comparative
Max. Range of Penetration: 6" ( 152 mm )Industry: Commercial roofing
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Delmhorst TechScan Moisture Meter for Building Inspection
Discontinued Product
Delmhorst TechScan Moisture Meter for Building Inspection
Easy to read analog display.
Handheld, compact and lightweight.
Temperature Range: -4 to 158°F/-20 to 70°C -
Tramex MEP Moisture Encounter Plus Moisture Meter
Discontinued Product
Measurement method: Non-destructive moisture measurement, 1" (25 mm) signal penetration depth
Display: Analog Meter