In this edition of Tools of the Trade we’ll look at a couple of indispensable ones – Moisture Meters and Infrared

Moisture Meters

Water, so essential to maintaining life, can be damaging to home materials and structure when it gets into places where it’s not intended.  Sometimes even catastrophically so.

Both wood and drywall, when exposed to water can begin growing mold almost immediately.  The structural integrity of the house can be compromised when long term exposure to water occurs.

Home inspectors are trained to look for evidence of unwanted water intrusion and when they suspect it, one of the main tools at their disposal is a moisture meter.

Moisture meters have separate settings for measuring moisture content in various materials – drywall, wood, concrete.

There are two types of moisture meter:  Pin-type and Pinless.  Many moisture meters offer both types of functionality in one package.

Pin-type moisture meters utilize two closely spaced sharp pins that are pressed into the material being measured.  A low electrical current is passed between the pins.  Since water is an electrical conductor a higher moisture content allows more current to pass between the pins.  The meter measures this current to determine the moisture level.  Since the pins leave small holes behind, an inspector will always ask before using the pin type meter.

Pinless moisture meters work by emitting an electromagnetic field into the material being measured.  The meter measures the changes in the material’s capacitance, which it uses to determine the moisture content.  This type of moisture meter is preferred by inspectors since it is non-destructive.  This is an advantage over the pin-type since during a buyer’s inspection the homeowner is typically not available to give permission to use the pin-type.

Nominal moisture levels for wood and drywall:

• Construction (framing) wood:  12% – 16%
• Interior (decorative) woodwork:  6% – 8%
• Particle board:  8% – 12%
• Drywall:  less than 1%

Infrared Thermometers

Home inspectors need to be able to take quick, accurate temperature measurements at several points of a home inspection.  And the tool of choice for many is an infrared thermometer.

Infrared thermometers work by measuring the infrared radiation emitted by the object being measured.  All objects emit infrared energy.  The thermometer contains an infrared sensor that detects this radiation from the object, converts it to an electrical signal and processes it to determine the object’s temperature.

Many infrared thermometers contain a laser pointer to help aim the sensor at the spot they wish to measure.

Here’s a few examples where the infrared thermometer helps the home inspector:

• In Texas, it’s a requirement for an inspector to measure the temperature differential when inspecting the AC unit.  We take the temperature at one or more supply registers and compare it to the temperature at the return vents.  This temperature differential should be between 15* and 22*F.  
• We measure the temperature of the hot water from the water heater, usually at the kitchen sink or a bathtub faucet.  
• We measure the accuracy of the oven thermostat.  In Texas, we are required to set the oven to 350*, let it come to temperature and then check it.  It is required to be within +/- 25*F of the setting.

That’s it!  Hope you found this informative.  Stay tuned for more Tools of the Trade going forward!

#actionableintelligence  #informeddecisions #homeinspection