Measuring Moisture With a Protimeter Moisture Meter

Reliable electronic moisture meters from Protimeter are the preferred instruments due to the renowned reliability, accuracy and quality.

Models include the ProtimeterDigital Mini (surface moisture) or Protimeter Aquant2 (subsurface moisture). Alternatively, you can combine the two functions by using a Protimeter Surveymaster2 which features both surface and subsurface moisture readings.

a. Surface Moisture
A pin type moisture meter, like the Protimeter Digital Mini, can be utilised to measure the surface moisture of a wall, wood and building structure. Simply place the pins on the surface of the wall to take a reading.

Protimeter Digital Mini measuring surface moisture

The Protimeter Digital Mini measures using the %Wood Moisture Equivalent (%WME) scale.

With a pin type instrument, it may be required to push the pins into the wall. Some types of wall coverings will restrict the reading. But a word of caution, pushing pins into a surface will leave a mark especially glossed paint, venires and laminated surfaces.

Taking readings in a kitchen or bathroom can be problematic with a pin type instrument. Floor coverings and tiles will provide a barrier stopping a direct reading with a pin type instrument. This is where you can use the radio waves of the Protimeter Aquant2 to detect the subsurface moisture levels.

b. Subsurface Moisture
A non-invasive (pin less) moisture meter will measure the subsurface moisture to a depth of 20mm. This is advised where wall, floor and wood covering prohibit moisture readings with a pin type instrument.

Protimeter Aquant2 measuring subsurface moisture

The Protimeter Aquant2 will measure using radio waves, penetrating beneath the wall surface including wall paper, paint and even tiles. This allows the user to undertake a very quick reading without damaging the surface. The Protimeter Aquant2 can also measure moisture in veneered wood like a build-in wardrobe, kitchen or fibreglass.

With the Protimeter Aquant2, moisture level is displayed as a relative moisture level between 0-999 %REL. The lower the reading, the drier the moisture content, higher the reading indicates higher moisture levels.

Moisture Readings

Protimeter Digital Mini (left) and Protimeter Aquant (right)

All Protimeter moisture meters will display the readings through a digital LCD display and a simple colour coded LED display.

The digital LCD display will provide the moisture reading (%WME or %REL). When undertaking readings, write down this measurement for future records.

To support the digital reading, Protimeter has developed a simple colour coded LED scale to indicating the moisture condition severity. This provides a very simple way to determine if the readings are Dry, Borderline and Damp.

Green - Dry
Air dry moisture content. No decay likely.

Amber - Borderline
Excess of moisture is present. This moisture cannot be attributed to high atmospheric humidity but to a definite source. If the reading in this zone persists or increases, remedial action is needed. Decay likely.

Red - Damp
A serious moisture condition exists and immediate remedial treatment must be effected. Decay inevitable.

Any material displaying a red / damp reading is too damp.

Click to review previous section - How To Pinpoint Moisture within a Structure

Protimeter Aquant2 - How To Measure Moisture

Protimeter is the leading manufacturer of moisture detection instruments. At the centre of Protimeter’s range is the Protimeter Aquant2, a non-invasive moisture meter.

The Protimeter Aquant2 has been designed for professionals to detect moisture in a wide range of materials from wood, brick to fiber glass ship hulls.

The Non-invasive design means that during the surveying process, no holes will need to be drilled or pins to be pushed into the material. A search mode detects the moisture levels below the surface.

Search Mode—Non-Invasive
The Protimeter Aquant2 search mode is used to assess the moisture level beneath the surface, independently of surface conditions. When held against the surface, the instrument transmits a signal into the material. The relative moisture level is shown on the digital display and its moisture condition is shown on the accompanying scale of color-coded lights.

The Protimeter Aquant2 search model allows the user to undertake moisture readings quickly, easily and more important accurately.

Taking the readings
The Protimeter Aquant2 features a digital LCD display supported by the Protimeter’s revolutionary colour display which is a collection of 60 LEDs divided into colour-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 materials.

The LCD display will provide a digital reading of the moisture content whilst the LEDs provide a guide to the severity of the moisture reading.

How To Measure
Undertaking moisture readings with the Protimeter Aquant2 is very simple. The search mode requires the instrument to be held against the surface of the material.

The shape of the Protimeter Aquant2 case ensures that the instrument is held correctly for optimal reading. When held against the surface, the instrument transmits a signal into the material. The relative moisture level is shown on the digital display and its moisture condition is shown on the accompanying scale of colour-coded lights.

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 20 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
• 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 20 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, fibreglass ship hulls