It is simple to tell if the surfaces of carpet, walls or ceilings are wet, especially if they are saturated. However, if the source of the water is overhead or in a wall cavity, moisture will find the path of least resistance and could seep into areas that are not visible. Following are descriptions of instruments that help restoration contractors determine which areas of a building are wet and how wet they actually are. The readings obtained also inform us as to when the moisture content has returned to acceptable levels. Basically, the first three instruments perform a simple electrical continuity test.
Water is generally a good conductor, especially if it contains mineral elements.
The probes and pads on these instruments sense moisture, form a circuit by achieving continuity, and respond with a metered reading, a beep or a flashing light. The correct use of these instruments is another critical component in the mitigation of a water damage. Part 3 of our series will review the equipment used in the actual drying procedure. Moisture Detector - A metallic or plastic pipe approximately three feet long with retracting probes at the base which, when placed into or onto a surface that has moisture present, emits an audible beep and displays a flashing red light at the top. The frequency of the beep or the flash is proportionate to the amount of moisture detected.