Use the moisture meter for the wall correctly

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Too much moisture in the wall is not only a health risk, but also promotes the slow destruction of the building fabric. You can use a moisture meter to determine the depth of moisture in wood and other materials. However, you will only get accurate values ​​if you use the device correctly.

Mold can hide behind white wallpaper.
Mold can hide behind white wallpaper.

Moisture meter - how it works

Humidity walls affect the indoor climate and sooner or later lead to the formation of mold. To find out the actual degree of moisture penetration, you should regularly use a moisture meter.

  • Unlike the classic hygrometer - this measures the relative humidity, i.e. the presence of Water droplets in the air - a moisture meter for the wall measures the moisture within the wall Building fabric.
  • The measurement is carried out using moisture sensors, two penetration probes at the front end of the device are inserted directly into the wall. Here, the depth of moisture is determined by measuring the electrical resistance (resistance measurement method) between the two sensor tips. The advantage of this measuring method: wallpaper, plaster or paneling are not destroyed.
  • However, such devices can only measure up to a maximum depth of 8 millimeters, so they only indicate a tendency. You will get more precise values ​​when you determine the core moisture content; This is achieved with boreholes into which you can in turn insert measuring sensors.
  • In order for the device to measure accurately, you need to know the building material from which the wall was built. Once you have determined this, enter it into the device. Very precise results are possible with wooden walls, with other materials such measuring devices are less accurate.
  • Use the moisture meter for walls correctly

    Damp walls are a problem, which is why moisture meters for ...

  • But how damp can the wall be? Moisture is normal, it is not very meaningful on its own. You should therefore also deal with the equilibrium moisture content. Equilibrium moisture describes the property of building materials to adapt to different conditions such as air humidity. You only have to expect damage if the normal value is exceeded many times over. Therefore, take a look at the corresponding normal value for the building material.

How much moisture is there in the wall?

  1. Insert the batteries, switch on the device and familiarize yourself with the various functions.
  2. Enter the building material whose moisture you want to measure. Select the measurement function - you can usually determine other parameters in addition to the humidity. Set the display to zero.
  3. Remove the protective flap of the measuring sensors and press the tips about 3 - 4 millimeters deep into the wall. In the case of wooden walls, the puncture should be made parallel to the wood fibers.
  4. Read the value. To get a feel for the measured value, you should now repeat the measurement at different wall heights and different other places in the room. Since walls are rarely homogeneous in their composition, you should compare the different values. Also consult guide values ​​(material moisture, equilibrium moisture content).
  5. Mark the place where you measured. Since changing environmental conditions also have an influence on the degree of moisture in the building fabric, you should repeat measurements regularly. Compare the results after a sunny day, heavy rain or a long vacation.
  6. After using the device, wipe the probes with a rag. Put the protective cap back on. This avoids the risk of injury.

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