Remember your favorite car?
The vehicle seemed like it was made just for you. Everything in it was exactly where it needed to be, and it was dependable. There seemed to be a few extra bells and whistles -- maybe a heated seat -- that made owning it even better.
The best moisture meters for home inspections are just like that car.
A key component of completing a survey, a home inspector’s moisture meter should be the most valuable tool in their kit -- and not just because they help locate and measure potential moisture issues.
The best moisture meters for home inspectors have features that make completing a survey an efficient and headache-free experience.
What You’ll Find in the Best Moisture Meters for Home Inspections
Picking out a moisture meter that you’ll love is like choosing a vehicle you’ll grow attached to -- you identify the must-have attributes and shop around until you find one that’s the perfect fit.
For a moisture meter that makes conducting a home inspection easier, make sure it has these key features:
- Invasive and non-invasive capabilities
- A thermo hygrometer
- Extension probes
- A simple interface
- Reliability
- Repeatability
- Durability
- A manufacturer's warranty
1. Invasive & Non-Invasive Capabilities
A comprehensive home moisture survey not only seeks out moisture issues, but also measures the exact extent of moisture content in building materials. To do both, you’ll need meters that have the functionality of both pin-type and pinless moisture meters.
With the probes of a pin-type meter, you’re able to determine actual moisture content. The non-invasive radio waves of a pinless moisture meter help you seek out moisture presence in a space without surface disturbance or being affected by surface moisture. With both meters on-hand, you’ll have no trouble completing a thorough inspection.
Pro Tip: When selecting a pinless moisture meter, make sure it’s unaffected by surface moisture. Designed to determine moisture presence within a depth of measurement, surface-level moisture can skew readings.
An all-in-one meter bridges the gap between pin-type and pinless moisture meters, putting both meter types in your hand.
2. A Thermo Hygrometer
Providing both temperature and humidity measurements, a moisture meter with a thermo-hygrometer helps you get a broader perspective on moisture within a space.
During the initial stages of a home inspection, a thermo-hygrometer’s readings can give key indicators that a space may have a moisture issue. Your survey then becomes more refined, letting you spend time exploring areas that actually need more investigation.
3. Extension Probes
During a home moisture inspection, everywhere is fair game for testing. But some spots are tough to access. With extension probes, those hard-to-reach spots -- such as the back area of a floor-level kitchen cabinet -- aren’t so hard to test.
With a cable plugged into your moisture meter, extension probes give you a few extra feet of reach to take measurements while keeping the meter in front of you to record findings. With the additional length added to your meter, extension probes save your back and knees from crawling into cramped spaces.
4. Simple Interface
Your moisture meter should make your job easier. You shouldn’t have trouble operating it or feel like you need to have the owner’s manual on-hand.
With a simple interface, taking readings or making adjustments in the field is a seamless process. You shouldn’t have to waste time on basic functions, such as switching modes or navigating menus.
5. Reliability
There’s nothing worse than being in the middle of a job and having the tool you’re using go on the fritz. Without a dependable moisture meter that does its duty on-demand, it’s nearly impossible to efficiently and confidently complete an inspection.
The easiest way to avoid the struggles of an unreliable meter is to invest in a good one -- yes, that means spending more money. Though expensive, a premium moisture meter gives you dependability.
As for their discounted counterparts -- cheap moisture meters are just that: cheap. Inexpensively made, they’re more prone to malfunctions and inaccurate results.
6. Repeatability
Thorough moisture surveys involve taking multiple measurements of the same material -- think of it as a scientist verifying his original findings.
Whether you’re looking for the best moisture meter for walls or best moisture meter for concrete, your tool should provide you with consistent readings. If it’s not, there’s likely something wrong with it.
7. Durability
Home moisture inspections aren’t always a walk in the park. Sometimes, they require getting up on a ladder or working over a hard surface. The occasional drop or hard bump shouldn’t mean an abrupt end to your meter’s useful life.
With a durable moisture meter, using the tool won’t feel like you’re handling a precious antique -- most accidents are a non-event.
8. A Warranty
Being that the best moisture meters for building inspections often represent an investment of a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, a warranty ensures that the unforeseen -- such as a manufacturer’s defect -- isn’t a financial burden.
If nothing else, a warranty gives peace of mind. A moisture meter manufacturer’s 2-year warranty is a good starting point.
The Best Moisture Meters for Home Inspectors? One That Works With You
Like that vehicle you compare all others to, the best moisture meters for home inspectors check all the boxes for functionality and dependability.
With the right features, there’s no reason your moisture meter won’t become your favorite piece of professional equipment for home inspections -- one you’ll be glad to own.
Ready to find the moisture meter that will make home inspections a breeze?
Check out our catalog of meters and accessories:
