Why Moisture Detectors Are Important to Discover Non-Visible Water Damage

When water gets into a structure, it destroys it beyond our vision. Without a quick solution, the wood, metal, and other components get ruined with time.

Before a person goes about doing any damage assessment, they should first be able to identify the moisture wherever it is.

Using just your eyes to detect moisture in any material is nearly impossible. Most water intrusions are hidden and require special equipment to enable proper evaluation.

Why Moisture Detectors Are Important to Discover Non-Visible Water Damage

What Are Moisture Detectors?

Moisture detectors or meters help in determining if building materials contain moisture or not. They are commonly used to detect leaks in a structure, especially outside the visual range.

How Do Moisture Meters Discover Non-Visible Water Damage?

These meters use how resistant a material is to an electric field or charge to determine the amount of moisture in it. They are popular and easy to attain on the market.

Moisture meters come in two types: non-penetrating (non-invasive) and penetrating (invasive).

  • Non-invasive Meters

Professionals use these types often for inspection or troubleshooting.

A non-invasive meter can detect moisture and its source using electromagnetic sensor pads that don’t have to break or damage the surface they are reading.

It requires simple contact to read the moisture content in a material.

  • Invasive Meters

Invasive meters have metal probes that penetrate the materials’ surface before reading their moisture content.

When switched on, electrical current flows from one pin to the other, and the resistance is measured.

This type is best for determining the moisture content in wood.

Why Are Moisture Meters Important?

Mold and mildew can only survive on wet surfaces. They spread rapidly to infect many materials in a short time.

You can stop their build-up in walls, floors, cabinets, and many other wooden structures if you can detect moisture in them early.

Here, the meters don’t just help you protect the wood molds east as food but prevent serious health risks that they pose to humans.

It is best to know the extent of water damage in an item to enable proper replacement.

Since some of the damage may not be visible, you can easily categorize a damaged material as okay during an assessment. This is dangerous and leads to several buildings collapsing even with regular examination for damage.

Moisture meters provide accurate readings when testing for water intrusion. They eliminate the need for several quality control mechanisms that save time and effort.

Even without much experience, the possibility of a professional engineer making mistakes when using this tool reduces significantly.

The ability to detect non-visible water damage in building materials protects consumers from buying substandard ones for their projects.

Many crooks attempt to pass off mold-infested wood or those salvaged from floods as new ones since the damage may not yet be evident to the eye.

Moisture meters help maintain the use of high-quality materials in the building industry.

Conclusion

You can’t trust your eyes alone when trying to determine damage, especially water-damaged wood. The quality of your work doesn’t just depend on your skills but also your tools.

Avoid wasting time and money as a consequence of being negligent. Use moisture meters to ensure that you do a high-quality assessment.

  • FAQ on Water Damage

    How Can You Cleanup Water Damage on Your Own?

    Cleaning up water damage can be a difficult and time-consuming task. However, there are some things that you can do to clean up the damage and prevent further damage from occurring. The first thing that you need to do is to remove any wet items from the area. This includes carpeting, furniture, draperies, and anything else that is wet. Once you have removed these items, you need to dry the area as much as possible. You can use a wet/dry vacuum to remove the water from the area. You can also use fans to help dry the area. Once the area is dry, you need to disinfect it. This can be done by using a bleach solution or a disinfectant. Once the area is dry and disinfected, you need to repair any damage that has been done. This includes any holes in the walls or ceilings. You also need to repair any damaged flooring. If you have any questions about how to cleanup water damage, you should contact a professional. They will be able to give you more information and help you repair the damage.

    How fast does mold grow after a water leak?

    Under the right conditions, mold can grow within 24-48 hours. Factors that contribue to mold growth include the temperature of the area impacted by water damage and the types of materials that are saturated.

    What happens if you leave water damage?

    Leaving water damage untreated will cause it to spread, potentially damaging other areas of your home. Additionally, long-term exposure to water can lead to the growth of mold and mildew, which can cause serious health problems.

    What is the best way to dry out water damage?

    The first step is to remove the water source. If the water is coming from a leaky pipe, then you will need to fix the pipe. If the water is coming from a flood, then you will need to wait for the water to recede. Once the water source has been removed, you will need to dry out the area. This can be done with a wet/dry vacuum or by using fans and dehumidifiers. You will also need to remove any wet items from the area, such as carpeting, furniture, or clothing.

    How can you tell if a wall or ceiling has water damage

    You can tell if a wall or ceiling has water damage if it is sagging, discolored, or has water stains. A professional restoration contractor can use a moisture meter or infrared camera to detect wet spots and hidden water damage.