Hardwood Moisture Testing Meters

Meters used for testing moisture for hardwood flooring projects are numerous. A few companies that stand out in the field and widely used by flooring professionals include Tramex Encounter Plus testing building materials Lignomat and Tramex. If in doubt of a contractors ability to asses moisture conditions, especially in new construction it may pay to purchase one for yourself.

Tramex Encounter Plus

There are several types of meters. Some function by probing pins that are pushed into the material itself, or the Tramex Encounter Plus. This little beauty can detect moisture levels into material one inch, opposed to some meters that only test surface areas. In other words, if you're seeking the moisture content of common pine framing studs it can be placed on the drywall and a reading is taken, opposed to ripping out the drywall.

Tramex and other meters are ideal for not only testing the hardwood being used but the sub floor as well. Plan on floating a wood floor over ceramic tile or VCT? No need for removal, simply place the unit over the material and a reading is seen. The instant reading has to be calibrated for the type of material being tested. A calibration Moisture Meter testing concrete moisture guide is included for subfloors and dozens of hardwood species being used today.

Tramex Concrete Encounter Moisture Meter

This meter works to test new or older concrete substrates. You may think that old concrete slab is fine and never showed any signs of moisture problems, but has there been any new grading work done? Any changes could alter the drainage from or around the property. Perhaps there's a slow plumbing leak. Concrete wicks moisture like a

sponge. This moisture meter can detect readings as deep as four inches into concrete.

Both products shown are lightweight pocket sized tools and battery operated. Moisture testing should not be overlooked. Any wide variances will likely result in problems with your new hardwood floor. Often the only solutions are complete removal. Situations like this do not happen immediately. Floor covering failures as a result of moisture problems are usually noticeable within the first year after Kiln dried hardwood test installation.

Large Sized Lumber Mill Moisture Meters

Here's another tidbit that may help determine whether or not to think about buying that low priced hardwood, or one priced too good to be true. Nearly every American manufacturer adheres to the strict schedule of drying the product before it goes into production. But we've noticed that is not the case with a number of off named imported hardwoods because we've tested them.

Show on the right is a large scale industry moisture meter. In this case a lumber technician is shown measuring the moisture content of a stack of dried hardwood that has been brought from an outdoor air drying area. Once satisfactory levels are achieved the lumber is then brought into production and sawed for flooring.

• Moisture Testing- Analysis and control
• Acclimation
• Hygrometers - Monitor humidity