Damp Meter Needed ?

[Marauder]

.
I'm going for a van swap part-ex thingie,

So I suppose I'll be needing a Damp Meter.

Which do you recommend, and what readings should I be looking for pls ?

I've never even seen one, so clueless about how to use it, or judge what's acceptable and whats too damp ?

(see - i dont even know how to phrase the qustion !!!)

Cheers

_

 

[Pausim]

There are two types. One type has two pointed pins which you push into the material your are testing but this type would cause damage in a motorhome. The other type is pin-less and detects the damp below the surface and it is this type you need. The readings you should look for depend on the type of material you are testing but I wouldn’t worry too much about exact percentages. Damp patches will stand out because you should be getting fairly regular readings of say 15% in most areas but if it suddenly jumps up to higher readings in particular areas there might well be a problems.

 

[JockandRita]

.
I'm going for a van swap part-ex thingie,

So I suppose I'll be needing a Damp Meter.

Which do you recommend, and what readings should I be looking for pls ?

I've never even seen one, so clueless about how to use it, or judge what's acceptable and whats too damp ?

(see - i dont even know how to phrase the qustion !!!)

Cheers

_

A non invasive type with a sensor pad, would be best, ie, as it doesn't damage the areas you are checking.

I have this type, which is so sensitive, it picks up moisture on your hand. It is not an expensive trade model, but it does the job well enough for me to make a decision re damp, or not.

Amazon product ASIN B00MMW2H4G
Please be aware, that some MHs/caravans have inner walls made from lined hardboard, whereas the more expensive and often German models have inner walls made from lined aluminium.

Have a look at a couple of tutorial videos, to give you an idea of how to use one, and what to look for.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=How+to+use+a+damp+meter

This one is probably more appropriate for your needs.





Good luck,

Jock.

 

[Terry]

Pin damp meter types start at £12 on Amazon while pinless start around £20
You only have to touch either type on boarding and not shove it into boards ! So no damage !
Try it on things around your house etc so you get used to doing it. Any reading below 15 is good and from 16 to 25 needs investigating. 30 and above is serious damp so unless you know what you’re doing could well be a money pit.
You should check around all roof lights and windows- say 3 to 4 places across top/sides/ bottom on each light/window. Check in cupboard’s and under seat walls along with floors Special attention needed on walls /sides in external lockers
Keep a record/drawing of readings on your van that way you’ll have a record to compare and should spot early warning of damp in your van

 

[Pausim]

Pin damp meter types start at £12 on Amazon while pinless start around £20
You only have to touch either type on boarding and not shove it into boards ! So no damage !
Try it on things around your house etc so you get used to doing it. Any reading below 15 is good and from 16 to 25 needs investigating. 30 and above is serious damp so unless you know what you’re doing could well be a money pit.
You should check around all roof lights and windows- say 3 to 4 places across top/sides/ bottom on each light/window. Check in cupboard’s and under seat walls along with floors Special attention needed on walls /sides in external lockers
Keep a record/drawing of readings on your van that way you’ll have a record to compare and should spot early warning of damp in your van

Sorry I don’t agree. The pin type has to be pressed firmly into the material to get a proper damp reading, otherwise it is only registering surface moisture. On a dry day or with heating on the surface may be dry but damp can still be lurking below the surface. The pin type might sometimes pick up damp from non invasive surface contact but also might well miss it.

The original device was patented by an Environmental Health Officer to help him distinguish between condensation and penetrating/rising damp in buildings. I know this because I worked for him for a couple of years before he retired.

I have both a pin type and a pin-less one. In terms of % moisture readings I think the pin one is more accurate but it does leave holes if used properly. I find my cheap pin-less one more sensitive and if there is damp it probably over states the %. However when checking out a motorhome it is ideal because it will clearly pick out damp patches from dry areas without leaving holes.

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[Terry]

I can see where you’re coming from but lots of people tend to keep pushing the pins well into the surface and leave big holes - if you use them a lot you can literally push pins into surface and leave no visible mark’s especially if careful on plastic covered boarding -besides I also gave pinless option I have both

 

[Pausim]

I have just done a test on an apple to prove my point.
Readings:
Pins held against apple skin - 15%
Pins pushed into apple skin - 50%
Pin-less meter. - 60%

 

[Terry]

I could get same reading and you wouldn’t see where I put the pins Simple way is buy pinless