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Moisture Meters for Building Materials and Boats

non destructive Tramex meters

The most reliable moisture meters you'll ever need

What is a moisture meter?

A moisture meter is a device, either analog or digital, that is used to measure the moisture content in a given material.

Moisture meters are beneficial in various applications such as construction, flooring installation, coating application, water damage restoration projects and building or home inspections.

By providing instant moisture level readings, a high-quality moisture meter enables users to identify potential moisture-related issues that can lead to problems such as rot, mold growth, and material degradation in floors, walls, ceilings, and roofing structures.

Accurate and reliable measurements obtained from moisture meters play a crucial role in preventing structural damage during the construction stages. During flooring installation and coating application, these meters help prevent failures by ensuring appropriate moisture levels in the materials. Moreover, moisture meters prove beneficial in post-installation inspections, maintenance, and water damage restoration projects by aiding in the identification of the source and extent of floods and moisture ingress.

Tramex Moisture Meters are specifically designed for detecting, locating, and measuring moisture in various building materials. These meters are suitable for use with materials such as concrete, wood floors, wall structures, roofing systems, as well as boat materials like wood and GRP.

Impedance field of the Moisture Encounter 5

How does a pinless moisture meter work?

A pinless moisture meter, also known as a moisture detector, operates based on the transmission of a low-frequency electronic signal into the material being tested.

In the case of Tramex non-destructive moisture meters, this signal is transmitted through electrode pads located at the base of the instrument when it is placed on the surface of a building material.

The strength of the signal corresponds to the moisture content within the material. The moisture meter measures the current strength and converts it into a moisture content measurement or reference value, which is then displayed in either analog or digital format. This measurement provides an indication of the moisture level within the material without the need for pins or invasive methods.

Pinless vs pin moisture meter

Tramex ME5 on wood panel wall

Pinless moisture meters are non-destructive and detect moisture levels through the surface of a material without causing any damage. This non-invasive approach is can be crucial for preserving the integrity of building materials, floor coverings, and painted surfaces, as it leaves no holes or marks behind.

The instant readings provided by non-destructive moisture meters are especially advantageous when testing large surface areas, such as walls, floors, or ceilings. This efficiency allows for quick testing of expansive spaces within a limited time frame.

In contrast, a pin meter requires inserting pins into the material at precise locations to measure moisture content. While this method provides a highly accurate reading for a specific spot, pinless meters offer broader readings, encompassing a larger sample area of the material under test.

The measurements obtained by pinless meters correspond to the footprint of the electrodes and the depth of their signal. It's worth noting that the pinless Tramex Moisture Encounter ME5 has an additional shallow depth mode and provides a precise location readings due to its reduced electrode footprint and signal depth.

CME5 concrete moisture meter calibrated for concrete Moisture Content

Are moisture meters accurate?

Yes, moisture meters can provide accurate measurements if they are properly calibrated to ensure reliable readings.

Moisture meters provide either quantitative measurements or comparative readings.

Moisture meters can be calibrated for a specific material such as concrete or wood to provide quantitative Moisture Content percentage (%MC) measurements. These quantitative measurements are based on the Gravimetric oven test method.  

Using an accurate quantitative moisture meter is crucial when adhering to industry standards or manufacturer guidelines for specific materials as it ensures precise moisture content measurements.

Moisture detectors can be equipped with comparative or relative scales, enabling users to make comparative readings of composite building materials. This functionality allows for the evaluation of moisture conditions in these materials.

How to read a Comparative or Reference Scale

A comparative or reference moisture reading provides a precise indication of moisture levels, typically displayed on a scale ranging from 0 to 100.

When utilizing a reference moisture meter scale, the initial moisture reading is taken from a known dry location or a sample of the material being tested. This dry reading serves as the reference or standard for evaluating other locations with higher readings, which may indicate elevated moisture content levels. Any readings lower than the reference or dry standard can be used to replace the original reference point or dry standard reading.

Reference readings are particularly useful when dealing with structures composed of different material densities. The density of a material can impact the signal penetration of a moisture meter.

Tramex has developed a range of reference moisture meter scales that are calibrated to accommodate various building materials and structures.

Reference Meter reading with Moisture Encounter 5 on Tiles
ME5 on wall with Tramex Meters App

How to use a pinless moisture meter

  1. Make sure the surface under test is dry and free of any debris.
  2. Press the meter's electrodes, situated on the base of the instrument, onto the material under test. Readings are instantaneous.
  3. Take note of the reading and simply repeat the process until enough data is collected.

The Tramex Meters App allows you to make Moisture Maps, save readings into reports for sharing, when using one of our 5 series meters.

Tramex moisture meters

Tramex Moisture meters are renowed for their accuracy, durability, reliability and innovative technology.

CONCRETE MOISTURE METER
Concrete Moisture Encounter CME5
Concrete Moisture Encounter CME5 Non-destructive
  • Concrete Moisture Content %
  • Gypsum Floor Screed Ref 0 - 10
  • Comparative 0 -100
  • Reading depth of approximately 3⁄4" (20mm)
  • Works with Tramex Meters App
CONCRETE MOISTURE METER
Concrete Moisture Encounter CMEX5
Concrete Moisture Encounter CMEX5 Non-destructive
  • Concrete Moisture Content %
  • CM equivalent Anhydrite readings
  • CM equivalent Concrete readings
  • Gypsum Readings
  • Reading depth of approximately 3⁄4" (20mm)
  • Ambient Relative Humidity
  • Optional port for RH sensors and Pin probes
  • Works with Tramex Meters App
MOISTURE METER FOR BUILDING MATERIALS
Moisture Encounter ME5
Tramex Moisture Encounter ME5 Non-destructive
  • Wood Moisture Content %
  • Calibrated for Drywall - Roofing
  • Calibrated for Plaster - Tile
  • Calibrated for Masonry
  • Shallow-depth readings, up to ⅜” (10mm)
  • Deep-depth readings, up to 1¼" (30mm)
  • Works with Tramex Meters App
MOISTURE METER FOR BUILDING MATERIALS
Moisture Encounter MEX5
Tramex Moisture Encounter MEX5 Non-destructive
  • Wood Moisture Content %
  • Drywall Moisture Content %
  • Calibrated for building materials
  • Ambient Relative Humidity
  • Shallow-depth readings, up to ⅜” (9mm)
  • Deep-depth readings, up to 1¼" (30mm)
  • Optional port for RH sensors and Pin probes
  • Works with Tramex Meters App
ROOF AND WALL MOISTURE SCANNER
Roof and Wall Scanner
RWS Non-destructive
  • Wall moisture scanner
  • Roof moisture scanner
  • EIFS moisture scanner
  • Measuring depth up to 4" (100mm)
  • Comparative Scale 0 -100
FLAT ROOF MOISTURE SCANNER
Dec Scanner
Dec Scanner Non-destructive
  • Mobile flat roof moisture scanner
  • Works on Built-up roofing systems
  • Detects elevated moisture levels
  • Trace and locate leaks
  • Measuring depth up to 6" (152mm).
  • Comparative Scale 0 -100
MOISTURE METER FOR BOATS
Skipper 5 Moisture Meter
Moisture meter for boats Non-destructive
  • Wood Moisture Content %
  • Comparative readings in G.R.P.
  • Shallow-depth readings, up to ⅜” (10mm)
  • Deep-depth readings, up to 1¼" (30mm)