Pinless moisture meters are used for measuring moisture content within materials that you either can’t physically penetrate, or do not want to because of aesthetic reasons. When a capacitance- type pinless moisture meter is placed against the surface of a material, a capacitor is formed by the meter’s sensor plate and the material being measured. This capacitance depends on the dielectric properties of the material and is measured by an electromagnetic wave that penetrates the material. The meter then converts this signal to a moisture reading.
Although typically used for wood, a pinless moisture meter could be used for any permeable material with a sufficient thickness. For example, you could use a pinless meter on drywall (which is made of gypsum) as long as that drywall is thick enough. If a material is too thin, then the pinless moisture meter may give you a false reading based on the moisture of the area behind the surface.
Another popular use for these kinds of meters is to use them to determine moisture in concrete. However, since concrete rarely has a smooth contact surface, these meters can give a false reading if the concrete surface is not properly prepared. To counter this, you can sand down the surface to be scanned before you begin your reading. By sanding the concrete surface, you are creating a smooth scanning surface that can be scanned accurately.
There are many advantages to using a pinless moisture measuring device such as:
They can scan large areas for moisture quickly
No pins means that there are no pin holes
They allow you to quickly discover water pockets
Average multiple measurements for more accurate results
Ideal for rapid home inspection
Measurements are available instantly
The following diagram illustrates that pin-type meters and surface meters provide different information about the moisture content in a board. Each technology may be appropriate for different applications.
Before choosing a meter, it is important to understand these differences in readings and choose the type of meter best suited for your particular application.
There are some disadvantages to pinless meters:
They require a flat measuring surface
They require sufficient material beneath the sensor for an accurate reading
The sheer size of the scanning area can make it difficult to pinpoint a large pocket of moisture
Chemically treated woods may affect meter readings
A pinless moisture meter is ideal for quickly determining the presence of moisture in many construction materials. Such meters can help you find out if your material is ready for use, or if it needs more time to dry.
If your meter is returning inconsistent results, or is giving continually high moisture results despite you giving a material a significantly extended “curing” time, then that can be an indication of a problem.
For example, if you are reading an unusually high amount of moisture in an object, despite repeated recalibration, then there might actually be a pocket of water in the material causing the higher than normal reading.
For quickly and easily finding out the moisture content of most materials, a pinless moisture meter is difficult to beat. Such meters can give you a reliable reading of the overall moisture content of whatever you measure, and without putting unsightly holes in the material, making it ideal for measuring moisture in objects that are going to be in plain sight at the end of the project.
For more information about the various applications for pinless moisture meters, or to find out the benefits of moisture meters for your projects, contact us now.
If you want to see the different types of moisture meters available, check out our solutions page.
