Excessive moisture in buildings will lead to decay and deterioration of components and decorative finishes. Professionals involved with the identification, management and remedy of dampness need tools that help them to:
• Identify the extent of the moisture penetration
• Diagnose the cause of the problem
• Monitor change in the moisture level
Two Operational Modes
The Protimeter Surveymaster features two modes of operation search and measure. Search and measure help the user to distinguish sub-surface from surface moisture, essential information when trying to establish the extent and cause of a dampness problem.
Taking the readings
The Protimeter Surveymaster features a digital LCD display supported by the Protimeters revolutionary colour display which is a collection of 60 LEDs divided into color-coded zones signify moisture readings of the material under investigation. The green, yellow, and red color-coded zones indicate the following:
• Material in the green zone is in a safe air-dry condition.
• In the yellow zone, moisture levels are higher than normal but not critical;
further investigation is recommended.
• The red zone represents excessive moisture levels. If sustained, red zone moisture levels will lead to decay in organic materials.
Both the LCD display and coloured LEDs provide accurate readings for both modes of measuring. The LCD display will provide a digital reading of the moisture content to one decimal place whilst the LEDs provide a guide to the severity of the moisture reading.
What is WMC?
When reading the damp measurement using the two pin mode (measure), the scale runs from 7% to 99% WMC (wood moisture content). The WME value is the theoretical moisture level that would be attained by wood that is in moisture equilibrium with the material being tested.
The %WMC has become an industrial recognised reading for moisture whether its wood, brick or concrete.
This mode is used to measure the moisture level at the surface and at incremental depth, when used with the auxiliary deep wall probes. Measure mode readings are precise and specific to the immediate area of contact of the electrodes.
• Simply hold the instrument with the pins touching the material’s surface and read the moisture level from the LED scale.
• A low or no reading will occur if the pins are placed onto a painted or varnished surface. Similarly a covering like vinyl will not hold moisture and provide a low reading.
• Be careful not to push the pins into a surface which can be damaged or marked.
Measure Mode - Sub-Surface Readings
When determining the sub-surface moisture readings, the surveyors can utilise a set of deep wall probes which connect to the Protimeter Surveymaster through the external auxiliary port.
• To use the Deep Wall Probe, drill two clearance holes 1/4 in. (6 mm) in diameter and approximately 1 1/2 in. (40 mm) apart to the required depth.
• Connect the Deep Wall Probes to the instrument and push the two probe rods into the clearance holes. Hold the rods firmly against the base of the holes while taking the reading (see photograph at right).
The biggest problem with taking moisture readings is finding any effected areas. The Protimeter Surveymaster introduced the first and only effective search mode for scanning walls and floors for damp.
The search mode is used to assess the moisture level beneath the surface of solid walls and floors independently of surface conditions. The nominal depth of the measurement is 3/4 in (19 mm) this depends on the density and other characteristics of the material.
This measurement presentation helps the user to:
• Look for moisture behind wall and floor coverings, such as tile and vinyl
• Assess, in relative terms, if the material is in a dry, borderline or damp condition
• Map the extent of the problem numerically
• Non-invasive pin less radio frequency finds moisture at depth where moisture is not always directly visible up to 3/4 in (25.4 mm) below the surface
• This mode of measurement is not adversely affected by the presence of surface moisture
Applications: Shower pans, behind ceramic tile, fine finishes, water stains, tile and vinyl floor coverings, joists, around toilets, drywall, below grade floors and walls, plaster, masonry, concrete and concrete block
If you would like to read the full operators instructions, please follow this link
If you would like to read more information on the Protimeter Mini, please follow this link
