How to detect mold in a house or building?

High moisture and humidity levels in buildings can indicate areas at risk for mold growth. Use a moisture meter for accurate detection.

How to detect mold in walls?

A non-destructive moisture meter like the Tramex ME5 or MEX5 can locate moisture in walls and ceilings which could cause microbial growth.

Moisture Meters for Mold Prevention

Q: What causes mold in a house?

Mold develops in areas with high moisture or humidity levels. Monitoring dampness in buildings can help prevent mold-related issues.

Q: At what humidity level does mold grow?

Mold generally grows at humidity levels higher than 60% RH. Regularly checking relative humidity can help identify risk areas.

Moisture meters and RH probes for mold prevention in buildings

The importance of mold prevention

Microbial or mold growth is a serious problem in homes and buildings and can have negative effects on both the structure of the building and health of the occupants.

By using tools such as moisture meters and Relative Humidity probes, areas that have the potential for microbial growth can be identified before mold gets a chance to develop. The appropriate remediation of the moisture and humidity issues can ensure the health of the building and its occupants.

What causes mold in a house?

Microbial growth indoors develops in places with high moisture or humidity levels.

It is important to note that high moisture or humidity readings alone aren't definitive proof of microbial growth, however if the circumstances are not remedied issues can arise.

At what humidity level does mold grow?

Mold requires both moisture and a food source to grow. When ambient relative humidity remains at or above 75% RH for a sustained period, conditions become ideal for mold growth. This elevated RH can result from extended periods of low temperatures or high moisture levels within the building. To investigate further, the Equilibrium Relative Humidity (ERH) of a material’s surface—commonly expressed as water activity—can be estimated (see Tramex Delta T measurement). Combined with using Tramex moisture meters and data loggers to assess the material’s moisture condition, this approach enables highly accurate identification of areas at risk for microbial growth.

The type and harmfulness of mold depends significantly on the food source on which it grows. While moisture testing is an excellent starting point for identifying problem areas, it should be complemented by additional testing to fully assess the type of mold growth and its implications. Moisture meters not only help identify the reasons for existing mold growth but also aid in preventing conditions that could lead to mold in the future.

How to detect mold risk in a house or building

Checking a house or building for high moisture and humidity levels, is a good starting point as, microbial growth needs high moisture and humidity levels to thrive.

A pinless moisture meter is an ideal tool for moisture inspections behind a surface material or in hard-to-reach places, as mold can often grow undetected whenever moisture and humidity levels are consistently high.

The advantages of non-destructive moisture meters is that they can detect elevated moisture levels without damaging the surface material, inspect a large area in a short amount of time, and help identify areas that may be at risk for microbial growth.

A moisture map can help visualize any potential problem areas. Moisture mapping provides a detailed visual presentation of the moisture content levels within a specified surface area. These maps show both ‘known’ and ‘unknown’ trouble spots and can reveal the scale of the moisture issue.

How to assess mold risk in walls

As microbial growth tends to develop in places with elevated moisture conditions, a non-destructive moisture meter such as the Tramex Moisture Encounter ME5 and Moisture Encounter MEX5 can locate elevated moisture levels within building structures, such as walls and ceilings, without damaging the surface area.

The dual-depth feature allows you to measure moisture levels at two different depths within a material or structure. Readings can be taken at both the surface level and at a deeper depth. If the readings at the deeper depth are higher than those at the surface, it could indicate trapped moisture and these conditions may be conducive to microbial growth.

RH probes for detecting high humidity levels within building cavities

Tramex Relative Humidity (RH) probes measure the ambient relative humidity of the air gaps within building structures such as walls, ceilings, and floors.

RH probes and sensors are typically inserted into the material being tested, through small drill holes and can provide temperature, Relative Humidity and dew point readings.

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What to do if you have high moisture and humidity readings?

In the event of high moisture or humidity readings, it is advisable to check the following:

Has the area been damaged by water, such as a flood or a leak.
Is the ambient relative humidity consistently high (above 75%).
Are the building materials organic, such as wood or drywall. Organic materials can be a food source for microbial growth.
Is there a lot of condensation.
Are there visible signs of microbial growth, such as discoloration or a musty odor.

In all cases, immediate remedial action is needed to correct the underlying issue that is causing the high moisture and humidity levels.

The right moisture inspection and mold prevention equipment

Tramex Water Damage Restoration Inspector kit

As there are severe risks to living in an environment with high levels of moisture and humidity, both for your health and for the longevity of the building structure, it is essential that you use reliable moisture and relative humidity meters when conducting a moisture inspection to prevent or locate microbial growth.

The Tramex Water Damage Restoration Kits contain the necessary equipment to carry out a full and thorough inspection of floors, walls and ceilings. They offer non-destructive moisture meters and probes for further investigation, deeper within the building structure.

With the correct remediation methods, high moisture and humidity problems can be resolved and even prevented.

Why Risk it? Test with Tramex