Wooden floor measurements with a moisture meter
Instead of spending hours carefully drying wood samples and weighing them to check their raw moisture content, many DIY enthusiasts are now using modern technology that allows them to quickly and accurately read the %MC of wood on the move.
There are several types of wood moisture meters available, each with many different features. These meters can be divided into two main categories by the method of measurement:
Needle meters. These devices use two or more electrodes to measure the moisture content of a wood sample. Since wood is a natural insulator and water is a conductor, the greater the resistance to electric current, the drier the wood, and vice versa.
Needleless Moisture Meter. Also known by some as "no-damage" meters, these moisture meters use a specialised scanning plate to pass electromagnetic waves through a sample of material and create a reading of the average moisture content in the scanned area.
These DIY moisture meter types have both advantages and disadvantages.
For example, needle-type meters will leave tiny holes in the material they test because you need to use electrodes to penetrate the surface in order to get a reading. Needleless meters, on the other hand, require that the scanning plate be in complete contact with the material being scanned in order to get accurate measurements.
In most cases, using these meters is very simple.
To use a pin-type wood moisture meter, simply insert the pin into the material to be tested and activate the meter. Current will be passed from one pin to the other and the meter will give a reading based on the current impedance.
With a pinless meter, you simply press the base of the scanning plate firmly against the wood you are checking and activate the meter. Again, the meter will run the scan and give you a reading you can use.
Pinless meters are faster than pin meters when scanning large areas because they can measure larger areas. In addition, they don't leave pinholes in the wood being measured - which makes them perfect for measuring moisture in beautiful hardwood floors.
Some meters may have more advanced features based on their manufacturer, such as built-in temperature or wood species correction. To use these features, you may need to consult your hygrometer's individual user manual.
All in all, hygrometers are a quick, accurate, and convenient way for DIY enthusiasts to check the moisture content of wood on the go.
