Moisture has an uncanny ability to infiltrate areas where it shouldn’t, especially within homes and their walls.
A moisture issue in a basement floor can impact the walls throughout the house — affecting those in direct contact with the floor as well as walls on upper levels. The same is true for exterior walls; moisture can easily find its way inside if an outside wall is compromised.
You might think testing for moisture in a home’s walls requires messy work, possibly even light demolition.
Testing for Moisture in Walls: Without Causing Damage
Whether you’re testing walls made of sheetrock, plaster, concrete, or even brick, the average home moisture inspection is a damage-free event.
For home inspectors, the two most valuable damage-free tools for testing walls for moisture are what you should have on-hand already: a pinless moisture meter and a pin-type moisture meter.
Pinless Moisture Meters: Damage-Free Inspections
Pinless moisture meters make it easy to test for moisture in walls without so much as a scratch. Unless you’re using brute force and ramming the device into the wall being tested, it’s almost impossible to cause damage with a pinless moisture meter. That’s because all pinless readings are taken at surface level. And that’s why they’re considered a non-invasive moisture meter.
Using radio frequencies, pinless meters detect dampness by assessing the average moisture of a material within its depth of measurement.
Pinless moisture meters are primarily meant to help confirm the presence of moisture within a material or space. They also help you locate its source -- even in spots that are tricky to access, such as:
- Wall cavities
- Underneath floors
- Behind cabinets
Pin-Type Meters: Also for Damage-Free Inspections
When looking at a pin-type meter, you might think it’s inevitable it’ll cause at least a little damage during a home moisture survey.
But that’s far from the truth.
Despite having pointed metal probes (pins) protruding from the device, pin-type meters should leave nothing beyond barely noticeable marks on a wall -- when used properly.
When testing a wall for moisture with a pin-type meter, there’s no need to jam its pins into the surface. Rather, all that’s required is to touch the probes to the surface of the material being inspected. The meter will take care of the rest and only leave slight indentations on certain wall materials where the probes made contact.
Measuring the electrical resistance between its probes, a pin-type meter gauges actual moisture content within a material. Pin-type meter readings are based on wood moisture equivalencies (WME). In other words, pin-type meters display moisture content in any material as if it were wood.
Is It Possible That Testing for Moisture in Walls Cause Damage?
Yes, but not just because of carelessness or a deliberate act of vandalism.
Certain accessories for pin-type meters do leave holes that’ll require repairs. Attachments like hammer probes and deep wall probes are designed to take moisture readings far beyond surface level. Taking accurate readings with either requires putting holes -- about ½ to ¾ of an inch apart -- into a material.
The important thing to remember is that these accessories are not the first tool used in a moisture inspection. They’re only brought out when a home moisture survey requires it -- for example, when you’re trying to gauge the extent of moisture in a thick wall after an initial inspection.
Frequently Asked Questions About Testing For Moisture In Walls
What are the signs or symptoms that might indicate a moisture problem in walls before using any specialized tools?You can often detect moisture issues by looking for water stains, discoloration, or visible mold. Other signs include peeling paint, bubbling wallpaper, and soft or warped drywall, which can signal moisture buildup. A musty odor in the area could indicate mold or mildew, and structural changes like cracking or bulging in the walls suggest ongoing moisture infiltration. Identifying these symptoms during the visual inspection helps guide the use of moisture meters in areas that require further investigation. What are some common causes of moisture accumulation in walls, and how can they be prevented?
Moisture accumulation is typically caused by plumbing leaks, roof leaks, poor exterior drainage, or condensation from inadequate ventilation. Water can also enter through improperly sealed windows and doors or foundation cracks, exacerbating the issue over time. Preventing moisture issues involves properly sealing all vulnerable entry points, keeping gutters and downspouts clear and functional, and addressing leaks as soon as they are noticed. Enhancing ventilation in areas with high humidity, like bathrooms and basements, will help reduce the risk of condensation accumulating in walls. What are the potential long-term consequences of undetected moisture in walls, and when should professional intervention be considered?Undetected moisture in walls can result in serious long-term damage, such as wood rot, structural weakening, and mold growth, all of which can compromise the building’s safety and integrity. Moisture can also degrade insulation and cause issues with electrical systems, leading to further complications over time. Prolonged exposure to moisture increases the likelihood of needing extensive repairs, and if not addressed promptly, the damage can significantly worsen, affecting the overall stability and value of the property. |
The Best Moisture Meter for Walls?
That’s easy. If you’re searching for the best moisture meter for drywall, or brick, or even concrete that won’t cause damage, look no further than both a pinless and a pin-type meter in-tandem. Used correctly, both meters allow you to not only identify and confirm where moisture is in a wall, but also the extent of its presence -- damage free.
Find Your Pinless & Pin-Type Moisture Meter
Protimeter has a wide variety of non-invasive and pin-type moisture meters that make it easy to complete thorough and damage-free home moisture inspections. Browse our catalog:
This article was originally published in July of 2021 and was recently updated to reflect current industry trends.