Sometimes the most thrilling action at a Formula 1 race is in the pit lane.
When a driver pits their vehicle, a lot happens in a short amount of time.
Tires are changed, front wings are adjusted for aerodynamics, helmet visors are cleaned, and any debris is removed to keep the car performing at its peak.
All of that in a matter of seconds.
In less time than it takes to pour a glass of milk, the pit crew has the car ready to go. This level of speed and precision relies on tools and equipment that are perfectly calibrated and prepared for immediate use. Without well-tuned wrenches, air guns, or even duct tape on hand, small missteps can lead to costly mistakes.
In flood damage repairs, a calibrated restoration moisture meter is just as important. Like a poorly adjusted air compressor in the pit, an improperly calibrated moisture meter can lead to costly errors in post-flood inspections, affecting the accuracy and efficiency needed for recovery work.
How to Calibrate Your Digital Moisture Meter for Restoration
A process meant to minimize inaccuracies in testing equipment, moisture meter calibration ensures the device takes readings within an acceptable margin of error. In layman’s terms, calibration is routine maintenance to ensure the device takes correct measurements.
Regardless of meter type, be it a pin-type digital moisture meter or a pinless moisture meter, calibrating the tool is a straightforward process.
Pin-Type Moisture Meter Calibration
A meter that measures a material’s actual moisture content, pin-type meter calibration takes only a few seconds.
Most digital pin-type meters come with a calibration device (aka – a moisture content standard (MCS)) designed specifically for the meter to measure the electrical resistance between its probes.
To check the calibration of your pin-type meter, touch its pins to the MCS’s contact points and wait a few seconds. The meter should display a reading for a wood moisture equivalency of +/- 18% (in Protimeter Instruments). Measurements outside that range indicate other issues affecting the device and throwing off its readings.
Pinless Moisture Meter Calibration
Like pin-type meter calibration, calibrating a pinless moisture meter takes minimal time and effort.
To calibrate the meter, place your hand over its contact plate immediately after turning it on. If your non-invasive meter comes with a calibration block, use that instead of your hand. Within a few seconds, the meter should measure 999. Next, remove your hand and take a second reading with the device’s contact plate only exposed to the air. You should see a reading of 0 or three dashes.
Like a pin-type meter, if measurements aren’t as described, your pinless moisture meter may be malfunctioning and need some attention.
Moisture Meter Technology Improvements for Streamlined CalibrationAs if calibrating a professional moisture meter wasn’t simple enough, next-generation meters are taking things a step further. Many new moisture meter models – such as the Protimeter MMS3 – have built-in calibration technology. With this new functionality, calibration requires nothing more than pushing a button for an automatic check. |
Verifying Restoration Moisture Meter Calibration
Though good routine maintenance for any moisture meter, calibrating a moisture meter isn’t complete without verifying the process worked.
The easiest way to make sure your meter is calibrated is to test it by taking readings on materials with a known moisture content or that are unquestionably experiencing a moisture issue. Dry materials are best as there’s no possible way for moisture to impact post-calibration readings.
How Frequently Should You Calibrate Your Restoration Moisture Meter?
While it may seem tempting to calibrate your moisture meter(s) after each use, it's unnecessary.
A professional moisture meter – both pin-type and non-invasive (pinless) – rarely requires calibration – perhaps once every few years.
Why?
The best professional moisture meters are sophisticated instruments made to last a long time and withstand the rigors of use. In other words, though designed to take sensitive measurements, a professional-grade moisture meter is made to last.
However, if something does seem off with your moisture meter’s readings – for instance, its measurements of a known dry material indicate moisture presence – there’s no harm in calibrating the device. That’s an easy first step in troubleshooting potential malfunctions when it seems your moisture meter is not working as it should.
Still, when it’s time to calibrate your meter, it’s best to do so before arriving at a job site. Time spent calibrating the meter and verifying its accuracy is time away from completing an inspection.
Outside of a moisture meter, the only other moisture measurement device that requires more frequent calibration is a hygrometer. Taking ambient moisture readings in a space, a hygrometer’s sensor degrades over time and requires replacement. As with verifying a moisture meter’s accuracy when measurements are questionable, hygrometer calibration is a starting point to check that the device’s readings are acceptable and accurate.
Pro Tip: For meters with removable sensors, we recommend replacing the sensor at least once a year. Meters used daily in harsh conditions should have removable sensors replaced at least every six months or even sooner.
FAQ About Flood Damage Restoration Moisture Meters
Q: What are the potential impacts on my flood restoration work if I use a meter that isn’t properly calibrated?
A: Using an uncalibrated moisture meter in flood restoration work can lead to inaccurate readings, which might result in misjudged moisture levels. This can have several implications: areas that need further drying or treatment may go unnoticed, leading to possible mold growth or structural damage. Conversely, sufficiently dry areas could be mistakenly flagged for additional drying, increasing project time and costs. Accurate readings are important for effective flood damage repair, as they allow moisture issues to be properly addressed without unnecessary additional work. Q: How do I know if my moisture meter requires recalibration if it hasn’t been used in a while?
A: If your moisture meter has been unused for an extended period, it’s wise to test its accuracy before relying on it for flood restoration work. Calibration is infrequently required, but long periods of disuse may still affect performance, particularly if the meter has been stored in varying temperatures or humidity levels. To check if it needs recalibration, you can test it on a material with a known moisture content. If the readings are unexpectedly high or low, recalibrating or verifying with a professional may be necessary to ensure its reliability. Q: What specific materials or surfaces can I use to verify my moisture meter's calibration beyond the "known dry materials" mentioned?
A: For verifying your moisture meter’s calibration, common materials like dry wood or concrete can serve as effective baseline surfaces, as they typically exhibit low, stable moisture readings. For more precision, you might use wood samples that have been conditioned to a specific relative humidity (around 12% for typical indoor environments) or pre-calibrated test blocks available for moisture meters. If you’re in a controlled lab environment, blocks with exact moisture levels can be helpful, but in field settings, using any thoroughly dry material should give a reasonable indication of the meter’s accuracy post-calibration. |
Restoration Moisture Meter Calibration for Dependability
Though an infrequent part of device maintenance, routine restoration moisture meter calibration ensures its sensors work as if they’re brand new.
With a calibrated restoration meter, you can rest easy knowing your moisture meter always takes the highest level readings possible.
Built-in Calibration + Much More
Our new MMS3 boasts the latest technology designed to optimize moisture inspections. Learn our more about this meter:
This article was originally published in August of 2022 and was recently updated to reflect current industry trends