Moisture Meter?

[Frank P. Newman]

I am in the market for a moisture meter, but am a little baffled by the range of choices. I am seeing digital 'pin-type' meters that cost less than $50 all the way up to models that cost many hundreds of $$. So the question is, 'what is the real difference', if what I need to do is measure the moisture levels in a home I am inspecting? Knowing that more expensive is not always the most cost-effective, I'd appreciate some input. TIA

[Jeffery L. Haynes]

Spend as little as possible............

[Nick Gromicko]

Protimeter or Wagner make the best ones IMHO. Both are mid 300's, so don't leave them on an inspection. Wagner deal at: http://inspectoroutlet.com/tools-IR-...nd-Meters.aspx

[John McKenna]

A dual function gives you the double witness and helps you
reduce the chance for false positives.

http://www.professionalequipment.com...uctive-meters/

[Frank P. Newman]

Originally Posted by gromicko

Protimeter or Wagner make the best ones IMHO. Both are mid 300's, so don't leave them on an inspection. Wagner deal at: http://inspectoroutlet.com/tools-IR-...nd-Meters.aspx

So what makes the $300 + meters better than some costing 1/2 of that or less? That's what I am trying to understand.

[David A. Andersen]

Depth of detection.

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

I like the Survey Master. It does it all. Great for crawl spaces...the pins let it stick in the wood while you hold the light with one hand and snap a photo with the other. The pinless types, like the Tramex, don't work well in tight areas like between floor joists. And a slim detector like the Protimeter works well in a coverall shirt pocket in a crawl space. It also is non-destructive...allows you to test shower walls, tile floors beside toilets, etc.

The Surveymaster cost is a bit high. Shop around. I bought mine used. Check eBay.

[Jeffery L. Haynes]

Let me play devils advocate.....

You see a water stain on drywall.....(or wood floor around toilet).......how much do you really need to spend before you decide if its a previous stain or new.

Drywall is 1/2 thick....5/8 on fire rated............. so tell me.......how much do you want spend before determine that moisture is present......$75.00........$750.00?

You can spend $20,000.00 on the best equipment for your tool bag.....or spend 1/2 that and produce the same results......except with extra money in your pocket for more classes (Im sure Nick and Ben don't mind that) and marketing.

I like looking through the Professional Equipment like most inspectors......but when all is said and done I know its not the equipment that makes the inspector but rather the inspector with savy knowledge who knows how to work with what he has at the time.

[Frank P. Newman]

Originally Posted by jhaynes

....but when all is said and done I know its not the equipment that makes the inspector but rather the inspector with savy knowledge who knows how to work with what he has at the time.

I agree - that's why I trying to get some realistic information about what the real difference between the various offerrings is. Any catalog you want to open will have as many as 10+ models. They can't all perform the same or give the same quality of information for the inspector to consider, yet there does not appear to be any quantitative infomation to allow a meaningful comparison.

Yes Joe, I will definitely look for a resale on eBay or elsewhere.

Thanks

[Frank P. Newman]

Originally Posted by dandersen

Depth of detection.

OK - now that appears to be a quantitative measure for comparison. So how deep does a home inspector really need to look and why? Also, I don't see that spec list for many of the meters sold.

[William E. Siegel]

Try going to a Harbor Freight, if you have one in your neighborhood, or go on line to their web site.

[David P. Valley]

Do the homework..


http://www.nachi.org/moisture-meters.htm

http://www.nachi.org/forum/f2/recomm...e-meter-40140/

http://www.nachi.org/forum/f11/buyin...e-meter-39551/

http://www.nachi.org/forum/f2/moisture-meter-38905/


Simply purchase a Tramex pin-less and your favorite pin style meter.

[Linas I. Dapkus]

One of these should do the trick!

[John Evans]

The Protimeter Surveymaster is expensive but very effective and easy to use. The dual function (pinless & pin) feature, plug in extended pins, optional EIFS pins and self calibration features makes the cost worthwhile in my opinion. Of course, you may find comprable units, I have used the Protimeter for about 4 years. Shop for better prices.