moisture measurement

[lfoulger]

Im going to pick up a new moho in a couple of weeks time and I'm interested in the moisture reading of the van from new and what it means for the life of the moho. What should i be looking for, what is the acceptable level of moisture values?

 

[tonka]

From Mr Google.

Readings between 0-15% no cause for concern

Readings between 15-20% engineer to make note of readings and recheck at next service.

Readings between 20-24% possible early sign of water ingress, look for tangible evidence or ask for

Recheck.

 

[Phill D]

the other thing worth noting is consistency of readings throughout the van. a sudden change in reading could indicate the start of a problem,

E.G. say most of the van reads 8 / 9% then there is an area that reads 15% then that could indicate a possible problem area even though its in the lower scale.

 

[tonka]

Or like my Autotrail, once you hit 90% it's time to bale out. literally...

 

[mike mcglynn]

I have used all kinds of moisture meters in my job and would not worry until the reading tops 15% .

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[icantremember]

Or like my Autotrail, once you hit 90% it's time to bale out. literally...

Is your damp meter like this?....

 

[tonka]

Is your damp meter like this?....
View attachment 428215

It was but now I'm a Burstner man.

 

[Plumb]

WELL you get that well! Are WELL never mind yes I recently had a reading of 99%
The dealer said they had caught it just in time SQUELCH

 

[Keypresser]

Buy a non intrusive tester (no pin marks).
They cost ~£60.
Run it over the inside of your van, lockers especially and get to know the readings.
Make a chart (if you want) look out for changes in measurements.
Do this once per month, say on 1st of each month.
If anything starts to go up get it back to the dealer for checking/rectification.
Once you get to know how your van reacts to changes of weather, how you use it etc then either increase or decrease the testing frequency.
I see far too many posts about water ingress when a £60 outlay and a few minutes of your time every month can give peace of mind and nip problems in the bud before they are life changers. ☺

 

[Carolyn and Kev]

Or like my Autotrail, once you hit 90% it's time to bale out. literally...

Flippers and snorkel firstly... Then abandon ship

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[Charlie57]

Chris & Tracy sounds like good advice thanks.

 

[Ian Bosman]

So, is it worth investing in a moisture meter and if so which one? I care not only for the Moho but also a Grade 2 listed building which has damp issues

 

[MitchandJenny]

Another vote for non invasive tester.
Mitch

 

[Graham of Madrid]

I'm thinking of getting this one, it's both non invasive and with pins

Extech MO55

Does anyone have any recommendations in the price range up to £60 ?

 

[Sandancers]

I'm thinking of getting this one, it's both non invasive and with pins

Extech MO55

Does anyone have any recommendations in the price range up to £60 ?

I had a look at that instrument and could not see any stated accuracy. Also, I wonder how you would do a simple calibration or zero test on the instrument ?

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[Realist]

Get a non intrusive meter ie one without pins. I’ve just purchased the below.....

TROTEC BM31 Moisture Meter.

 

[Sandancers]

Get a non intrusive meter ie one without pins. I’ve just purchased the below.....

TROTEC BM31 Moisture Meter.

Looking at that range of devices I noticed this one;

Moisture measuring device BM40 - TROTEC

BM40 measuring device for non-destructive determination of wood moisture and building moisture

uk.trotec.com

Has lots of good specs. and costs about £80 on Amazon.

 

[Lyrick]

I'm thinking of getting this one, it's both non invasive and with pins

Extech MO55

Does anyone have any recommendations in the price range up to £60 ?

I have one of these and it works really well

 

[Sandancers]

I have one of these and it works really well

Can I ask how you define the above? Have you found damp spots in your MH which were later confirmed by a dealer?

 

[Geo]

And dont forget the locker where you store your hose pipe will almost certainly give a higher reading
Unless of course you blow warm air through the pipe before storing it

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[Keypresser]

Invasive (pin type) measures the first 2-3 mm of the surface tested. Non invasive measures greater depth say 1-30mm. These are the £60 range. £200 range measures upto 50mm.
The test is only an indication of moisture.
You really need to check for changes of measurement hence my post. Regular checks.
There will always be an argument with the mh suppliers i.e. damp or no damp but if you make regular checks and see a difference then you have some data when you make a claim.
And do go back to them as if you log it and it gets worse then you have history.

 

[Ian Bosman]

Invasive (pin type) measures the first 2-3 mm of the surface tested. Non invasive measures greater depth say 1-30mm. These are the £60 range. £200 range measures upto 50mm.
The test is only an indication of moisture.
You really need to check for changes of measurement hence my post. Regular checks.
There will always be an argument with the mh suppliers i.e. damp or no damp but if you make regular checks and see a difference then you have some data when you make a claim.
And do go back to them as if you log it and it gets worse then you have history.

The walls and ceiling in my vans covered in a textile with something soft underneath thus aiding insulation but means a pin type would be needed, do you agree?

 

[Realist]

I would stay away from pin type meters they leave unsightly holes and may be an issue when the MoHo is sold on.

 

[Charlie57]

What sort of meter do the professionals use

P.S. The guys who perform habitation checks and not these guys

Sorry preempting the obvious response

 

[Keypresser]

The walls and ceiling in my vans covered in a textile with something soft underneath thus aiding insulation but means a pin type would be needed, do you agree?

As said. The pin type measures the impedence (damp) between the pins. The measuement can give a false reading as the skin of the walks can show damp but these readings can be inflenced by surface temoerature, moisture etc. The non intrusive type measurs upto 30mm or 50mm into the sub structure. The measuements/results are inly indicative so change in readings indicate change in moisture content. You need to get to know your van.

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[Lenny HB]

The walls and ceiling in my vans covered in a textile with something soft underneath thus aiding insulation but means a pin type would be needed, do you agree?

No, the non invasive type can measure to a greater depth so should be fine.
What van do you have? As ones with a fabric wall covering often have an aluminum inner wall, you can't use damp meters on those.

 

[TheBig1]

Be vigilant about damp readings of course, but also please don't panic too quick. Damp readings can vary widely on the same vehicle in different conditions. Atmospheric humidity and condensation due to use are cases in point. I know somebody who went back to the dealers and started ranting about water running down the walls. When tested, the van was fine, but they had been cooking in the van without ventilation when they saw the moisture

 

[MitchandJenny]

KECHENG KC-318.
Non-invasive.
I can vouch for this one.
Used it on all 4 settings :- Wall, Masonry, Softwood and Hardwood.
It found a slightly high reading in our van floor and resulted in a new side window (free)
From Autotrail.
I have also used it on walls in our cottage where it found a small leak under a roof slate.
Sorry, I can’t remember the cost, but knowing me it won’t be expensive.
Mitch.

 

[Folkranger]

And dont forget the locker where you store your hose pipe will almost certainly give a higher reading
Unless of course you blow warm air through the pipe before storing it

I keep a male and female push-on connector on the hose pipe ends. Join ends together when in van. No drips.

 

[Geo]

I keep a male and female push-on connector on the hose pipe ends. Join ends together when in van. No drips.

That makes a high damp reading even more likely.
A cold hose causes condensation for a longer period

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