Permanently elevated moisture levels beneath basement slab: why?

[William J. Decker]

I put it in my 'watch list' area of the summary if the house has a finished basement with carpeting or flooring (laminate wood, etc). If the basement is unfinished and the client is intending to finish it, I will put in the warning, as well as other warnings about:

• Don't enclose the furnace and water heater in a little room with no combustion air.
• Likewise, when running HVAC ductwork for the finshed basement, make sure that the ruturn duct register is far enough away from the furnace so as to not compete for air.
• Don't enclose the service equipment panel in a closet or bathroom or laundry room, etc.
• If adding a bathroom in the basement, make sure that the exhaust fan is vented to the exterior.
• Put off finishing the walls for at least 3 years so that any settling cracks have a chance to form, be identified and sealed before there is drywall over them.
• Make use that there are escape windows easily accessable in the basement.

If I don't warn them, up front, they tend to get pretty mad, later.

Hope this helps;

[Kenton H. Shepard, CMI]

Thanks Will. I'm surprised that they get mad at you. Those are things I would expect a contractor to tell them. Must be no contractor if they take it out on you. -Kent

[William J. Decker]

Amazing how people wiull hire the cheapest guy, then blame you for the bad work they do. If they wanted a good job, they have to hire good people.

Blame who you can, and who will listen to you. The 'contractor' won't wall back.

Just like the people, around here, who think that I charge too mych for an inspection. They hire the cheap guy, then call me to complain when he misses something.

human nature, I guess.

[David A. Andersen]

Moisture detectors pick up density and give higher readings.

Take differential readings. If it's high all over, it's likely density.
If you have a loose toilet check away and then at the toilet and measure the differential.

You can not depend on non-contact measurements. You also can't go around poking holes in everything!

[Kenton H. Shepard, CMI]

This came this morning, thought I'd pass it on...

The Surveymaster will read down to 8% but the focus point for accuracy is between 10 and 20%


Aso, for straw bale homes or large timbers...

BLD5020 Insulated probes 240mm $45 ea

BLD5018 Insulated probes 127mm $45 ea


See accessories for your meter at http://www.gesensing.com/products/Surveymaster.htm?bc=bc_ge_protimeter

Chris Ranwell

GE
Sensing
Global Product Manager

[Marcel R. Cyr]

This info might help to distinquish what a meter and the technical way of testing existing concrete floors. I still use the third method, but , that is because I am called old fashion. The first is reccommended by flooring Manufactures.

Although some cases of moisture problem s might not need to be executed to this extreme, this would allow you to determine that there is a moisture problem which is inadequate for flooring and also inadequate in moisture barrier under the floor which can not be verified unless a section is cut out.

http://www.flooraudit.com/moisture_tests.html

Marcel

[Russel Ray]

Originally Posted by wdecker

If I don't warn them, up front, they tend to get pretty mad, later.

Exactly. And the courts here seem to be telling us that we, as home inspectors, have knowledge that our Clients are paying for, knowledge waaay beyond the actual scope of the home inspection, and that we should convey that knowledge to our clients. Ergo, my Interactive Report System.

Originally Posted by wdecker

Amazing how people will hire the cheapest guy, then blame you for the bad work they do. If they wanted a good job, they have to hire good people.

Blame who you can, and who will listen to you. The 'contractor' won't call back.

Just like the people, around here, who think that I charge too much for an inspection. They hire the cheap guy, then call me to complain when he misses something.

human nature, I guess.

It's the "blame-the-other-guy" gene that they found recently. It's right next to the margarita gene :margarita: .

[Russel Ray]

Originally Posted by dandersen

Moisture detectors pick up density and give higher readings.

Take differential readings. If it's high all over, it's likely density.
If you have a loose toilet check away and then at the toilet and measure the differential.

You can not depend on non-contact measurements. You also can't go around poking holes in everything!

Exactly.

[Marcel R. Cyr]

This help;

Marcel
Surveymaster With FREE DVD and FREE 5 Year Warranty


Applications:

• Wall Coverings
• Floor Coverings
• Wood
• Drywall

Tramex Concrete Encounter Moisture Meter

The Concrete Encounter is a hand-held electronic moisture meter utilizes non-destructive impedance measurement for moisture determination. Parallel co-planer electrodes are mounted on the unit's base which transmit low-frequency signals into the concrete or cement floor to a depth of approx. 1/2 inch (12.5 mm). The results give the average moisture content to a depth of approximately 4 inches (100 mm) during the drying period.
While concrete under normal conditions can never be completely dry, the instrument has been calibrated on acceptably dry material. It compares the change in impedence caused by the presence of water and displays moisture content on an analog dial.
Features:

• Instant readings
• Non-destructive operation

[Roy D. Cooke, Sr]

[quote=mcyr]This help;

Marcel
This is the one I use cost so little keep two spares . Only broke one in 7 years. Pin only works great for me .
Cost well under $50:00
Roy Cooke sr.............. http://www.sonin.com/moisturetm.html

As reference to the number three post this section .
I have put in a dehumidifer and wow!
37% moisture reading almost instantly runs about 5 hours a day .
We never had this problem till I put in rubber back carpet tiles through the whole basement . Obviously the little moisture that came up evaporated bfore . Glad we found it soon after the tiles went down no mould .
Walls show very low readings

[Marcel R. Cyr]

Hi. Roy;

Tyring to point out the differences in performances between the two units.
It appears that the SurveyMaster is not even designed for the concrete or humidity monitoring capacity.

Dont' have one yet but will someday, and it would not be the first listed.

Take care;

Marcel