FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Absolutely, wood is the base reference scale that other materials are measured in reference too. Moisture in a building is constantly on the move and trying to equilibrate in other words moisture wicks from wet materials to dry material until there is a balance between the two materials. Here is an example. You have piece of 4 x 2” that reads 14% (dry, green zone) on your meter. You measure with the pin mode on the surface of a concrete floor and it reads 25% (wet, read zone). Now place the dry 4 x 2” on the concrete floor and leave it to equilibrate. The wood will absorb moisture from the concrete until it has reached approximately 25%, we know wood will decay at anything above 19%. Use the meter in materials such as drywall, masonry, concrete etc. This system of measurement is know as WME (Wood Moisture Equivalent) and is used globally for moisture diagnoses in buildings.

Use the non invasive mode (“Search Mode”) to find higher than normal moisture levels. Use the pin to more accurately measure the moisture level once you have found it. Non invasive meters are good at finding moisture quickly and behind wall and floor coverings such as tile and vinyl they do not measure as accurately as pin measurement. The search mode is loosely based on the WME scale so a reading of 200 is somewhat close to a pin reading of 20% and a reading of 165 is somewhat close to 16% WME. When using meter readings for reporting only use readings from a pin type meter.

Yes, be careful to use your pin meter to back up your non invasive meter findings. Typical metals behind the surface include corner beading and metal tile lathing. Moisture normally has a gradient from high to low so survey the area carefully and look for changes. If you are getting consistent high readings then is could be metal below the surface. Confirm the presence of excessive moisture with the pins or deep wall probes.

The SurveyMaster Aquant and MMS must be placed on the and not slid. Sliding the meter could mark the surface but also will eventually wear the back of the meter. The MMS should be used by holding the leading edge of the sensor bulge against the surface at an angle ranging from 20° to 50°. The SurveyMaster and Aquant should be placed on the wall and tipped upwards until the cap touches the surface. This results in a consistent angle and improves repeatability of the readings.

This is typical of a condensation problem. Condensation is one the major causes of moisture problems in buildings and is typically a surface moisture problem. Non invasive measurements give an average reading across the depth of measurement (up to ¾”) and pins give the highest reading for the depth of measurement (surface). In the case of surface condensation the non invasive mode will only show a slight increase in readings and the pins will read high. A moisture meter such as the SurveyMaster has both pin and non invasive modes so is ideal for making this diagnosis.

Protimeter pin mode meters are sold standard with a calibration check device. This device is placed across the pins and should give a reading of 18.1 + or – 1%. The check device can also be used to test hammer electrode and other plug in accessories for the WME pin mode.

This is typical of a temperature condition that is out side the calibrated range. All later Protimeter meters have the ability to zero the meter in air to compensate for this. Please refer to you instruments instruction manual.

Replace you HygroStick of HumiStick. The E9 error indicates that the sensor has fallen well beyond the calibration tolerances.

To maximize the life of the electrode and stop them snapping ensure that you drive the probes in straight and most importantly use the slide hammer action to drive the probes out straight.

Enclosed with your calibration check device are two spare pins, additional pins are available at www.protimeter.com or through you local distributor (BLD0500 (Pack of 20 replacement pins). To replace the needles unscrew the ferrule nuts using a ¼” nut driver. Press out the pins and replace. Replacement nut ferrules can be purchased – BLD0501 Pack of 2.