Dryzone Moisture Meter Detector – Damp Meter for Wood
Dryzone Moisture Meter Detector – Damp Meter for Wood, Masonry and Other Building Materials
Part of the Dryzone System
The Dryzone Moisture Meter is part of the Dryzone System range of internal wall renovation products. It is ideal for identifying rising damp problems before the use of Dryrod Damp-Proofing Rods and Dryzone Damp-Resistant Plaster. It can also be used to identify condensation before the use of the Dryzone Mould Removal and Prevention Kit and Dryzone Mould-Resistant Emulsion Paint.
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| Description: | A pre-calibrated digital moisture meter for identifying and assessing damp problems in wood and masonry. | A patented and BBA-approved treatment for rising damp utilising impregnated fibre rods. | A damp-proof, salt-resistant and fast-setting renovation plaster for application to walls after damp treatment. | A damp-proof and salt-resistant renovation plaster with a high lime content for application to walls after damp treatment. | A complete kit that contains all the equipment required to eliminate mould and keep it away. | A high-quality white emulsion paint with biocidal properties for resisting mould growth |
| Weight: | 130 g |
| Dimensions: | 17 x 7 x 4.2 cm; 130 Grams |
| Model: | Moisture Meter |
| Part: | Moisture meter |
| Pack Quantity: | 1 |
| Batteries Required: | Yes |
| Batteries Included: | No |
| Manufacture: | Safeguard Europe Ltd |
| Dimensions: | 17 x 7 x 4.2 cm; 130 Grams |
| Quantity: | 1 |
Have suffered for some years with condensation/damp in a couple of rooms. Some months ago I applied a specialist paint additive to silk emulsion paint before painting out both rooms. Subsequently there is no visible sign of a return of any problems. For peace of mind I decided to buy the Dryzone Moisture Meter and on use I find the Readings to indicate the walls are now at an acceptable level. Ordered Saturday Afternoon – Delivered Sunday Afternoon. Some Reviewers mentioned that with not being able to turn the Unit Off (Automatically Turns Off after 3 minutes) it drained the batteries. To alleviate this I just open the Battery Cover, remove one Battery for a second and then replace it – presto the Unit is Switched Off.
This is, for it’s purpose, pretty much perfect. However it maxes out at moderate damp levels especially on building materials where 29% is pretty much the max it can measure. It just squeals if it sees wetter.
This is fine for detecting whether there is damp that needs treating. It is not so informative over the following weeks, after treatment, when you are trying to work out whether treatment has been effective and drying out is happening as you hope.
I originally bought this to check my motorhome for damp. it feels well made, is very compact (fits in a shirt pocket), its easy to operate and read. I checked the accuracy against a much more expensive meter and it was within 2%. I have used it to test timber for moisture content, walls for damp and plaster while it dries out and it works well on those applications too.
I have been keeping records of daily measurements, and can therefore tell if the fix is working or not, saving me from drilling unnecessary holes in the wall.
I also have a wood-burning stove, and this will help me keep the right side of the law concerning burning damp wood, I am impressed that you can check the calibration of the device!
Be careful of the prongs, they are sharp!
Nothing to dislike, served the purpose for what by in needed it for. Disappointed as the parcel was left on a step which is not even a entry door for the flats above me, as I live in a lower flat I have my own front door for letters and parcels, if the bother to look for the numbers on railings the would find the flat number.
So far this seems like a really nice little damp
Meter. I use it for caravans. Easy to use and seems reasonably accurate.
I got this for my caravan and to monitor a repair job in the house. Works fine, uncomplicated and easy to use. The cap is a bit stiff when trying to remove it, but other than that, it is good value.
No problems at all, simply does the job and is fairly easy to use and read.
If the readings are accurate and I have no reason to doubt excelle
I like many others had difficulty getting the protective cap off. I gently inserted the flat edge of a steel rule under the front of the cap turned slowly and it popped open. Apart from that I have had no problems.
It does what it’s intended for and is good for walls
bought as a gift but recipient already had one so returned but nothing to do with quality. Item looked good quality and handy size so would’ve kept it otherwise
Good price and useful to try and work out how water is penetrating or whether it is condensation. Accuracy I am not sure about but I think it gives an indication rather than positive proof.
Could not initially get the top of this unit and ended up gently prising it off with crocodile pliers. That said, it works fine on plaster and wood wall section I needed it for. Cannot vouch for accuracy, as have not the range of sample materials. Unit appears well-made and the display is bright and half the price of similar products.
The cover for the sending points needed a gentle persuasion to remove – at least it won’t drop off unexpectedly
Thanks to this tool I found damp in a caravan that had been missed by the tradesmen. The repair could have cost me thousands further down the line, I walked away and bought different caravan. Thank you.
Excellent quality and speedy delivery, will definitely purchase from agai
Fiddly to use – but it does work and is good value for money
Nice and easy to use. You’ll need to save the instructions for the settings to select type of wood but easy to adjust and really easy to use. Has a simple calibration check built into the cap that covers the pins. Can’t really fault it for the money for checking firewood moisture content.
A very useful tool to detect the level of moisture in a damp wall!! To understand the readings it is best used on dry wall first and then on damp or wet wall , and compare the readings!! It is very reasonably accurate and
As soon as the detector was delivered I immediately inserted the two AA batteries as required ant went about the house checking the walls, also some bare wood in the conservatory. I haven’t yet even read the instructions! The display is very clear and bright. Press the ‘on’ button and the ‘Mode’ button to switch from wood, to Building i.e. brick, render, pointing, floors, walls and ceiling plaster. The display indicates the temperature in either F or C and the percentage of moisture. The instructions MUST be kept, they show about 170 different species of tree from Abura through Kauri (NZ) Padang African and Australia Silly Oak down to Yew with the code letter for each one between A to H. Just remember you are only testing the surface moisture content it is not absolutely accurate it is about +or- 2% but will give you enough information. Before using, the wood (A) measurement selected, press the points into the holes on the back of the cap, this will calibrate the device.. Apart from that the protective cap fits Very tightly, in my opinion, this is a very good quality device that I feel confident enough to highly recommend to everyone. At 20 from Amazon it was a steal.
Searching for damp in my motorhome . It appears to do the job.
and I researched all the machines shown. This seemed good value -it’s difficult because of the hardness of the bricks. Prob similar challenge with ALL shown. *SPARE pins would be handy as I can see bending/breaking in the future?
Easy to use and is light and compact. It’s a great indication of any problem that needs more thorough investigatio
The device works well. The instructions are excellent and suggest that the manufacturers have a put a lot of thought into the product. It’s robust, with good contact in the buttons and a clear display. Tools like this typically have lots of drawbacks and irritations but I didn’t find any here so wouldn’t worry if it’s more expensive than some similar products.
It seems that a lot of people were unhappy that batteries aren’t supplied and the cover is difficult to remove. I don’t have a problem with either of these. The cover has to be firmly attached as you really don’t want it to fall off or get lost with those spikes underneath. It takes about a second to remove by sticking a flathead screwdriver into the gap (or anything else with a similar shape but don’t try using a fingernail – it obviously won’t work).
The meter is very easy to use and accurate – display is good and records the highest reading for that session – highly recommend for price
We got this to check for damp in the living room, utility room, and new garden room. The meter display is clear and easy to read, and easy to understand for a pleb like me who doesn’t have a clue what he’s doing. Good to keep an eye on those spots you’re suspicious of so you can catch damp early.
My husband said this product is very good, gave good readings. Compact, good price.
Handy device. Does not include battery (I knew this), so no problem! Really excited to test it soon!
Easy to set up and use. Clear outputs. Seems accurate (tested on water-damaged beam and dry wood in stock at a popular DIY store). Lightweight and easy to handle. Compact to store.
The induction type is very easy to use, it can be tested by sticking it on the board, and it will shut down automatically, not bad.
It can be carried with you, and the test is quite simple. After a few days of testing, the workers said it was very easy to use.
This little gadget came up for testing and for someone that rely’s on a log burner to heat the house during the cold months I’m sure this will come in handy.
It features a very nice and bright illuminated lcd display.
It has a wood measurement range of 6-60%
It can read temperature between 0-50c
It states that it has a moisture and temperature accuracy of between +-2% or Celsius. I have no real way of testing this accuracy but it seems consistent with so I would assume it’s a good one. I have only used this with wood and on the instructions you receive with the unit it will tell you what code to input for what wood you want to test.
You will need to provide 2 AAA batteries for this to operate.
The pins have a protective cover over them, this doubles as the calibration panel also.
Testing mine was simple.
Remove the protective cover power the device on, set mode to A then press the pins into the holes on the cover. It should read between 16.6% and 20.6% mine was 18% so I’m happy with that reading.
If your unit is out of calibration I would advise contacting the manufacturer as it does not give you any information on how to calibrate.
You must press quite firmly into the wood to get a reading I was being way too soft with it at first and was not getting a reading every time.
I hope this review has helped you.
This Moisture detector designed primarily for detecting damp in concrete, wood and brick walls is useful tool especially if you have rising damp. This tool allows you pinpoint roughly where the damp could be in your walls, it does this by to the 2 probes that are attached to the meter , you probe the rods on to the wall and gives you reading in percentages and graph in the LCD display. So far it seems to work gives me readings that are accurate. The device very easy to use and performs well. The build quality of this tester is excellent it feels solid and durable. The display is clear and bright and this also has a illuminated backlight this allows you to use the tester in the dark. Overall Good moisture tester that performs well.
Very useful tool to identify possible raising damp in house when you suspect but not sure as well in case there is issue with condensation and it affect masonry.
Moisture detector is super simple to use. Remove top black lead as well 2 tips on both of the gauges. Then select either wood or building setting on meter and you can start measuring by pressing 2 rods to surface. Note that with wood you must select letter corresponding to type of the wood you measuring by using chart included. Tool arrived already calibrated so there is nothing to do to calibrate it. Easy to read display with big digits and extra light so can be used in darker rooms and places. There is also constantly displayed ambient temperature. For home use it is very accurate tool with +/-2% which will be enough to identify problem and prevent possible damp penetration.
Tool itself feels very sturdy in hand. Powered by 2x AAA batteries. Great for what it does as well for this price.
Along with a multimeter, a moisture detector should be considered as essentials in anyone’s tool kit, and as this Dryzone model demonstrates, you don’t need to spend a fortune in order to save a fortune (on repairs or renovations). This moisture detector works really well, and it really is quite accurate, however, you’ll need to provide your own AAA batteries (two of them), and input individual settings manually for each type of material you want to test. Checking moisture content (damp in walls, for example) couldn’t be easier, just hold the meter with the two prongs against the material, and check the readings.
Overall, for a price of 25.99 you are not getting a professional quality moisture detector here, but what you are getting is an accurate meter, and with a little patience it could save you an absolute fortune, especially if you are viewing a house and need that little extra assurance that you are not about to purchase a money pit.
It’s very easy to use and using this is much easier than getting a builder or someone else with a damp meter in as no-one I know has one and our plumber hasn’t. We have some big wet looking marks on the garage wall which is under cover which show up after rain and this gizmo show very little moisture which I’m told means it is an oily residue that looks more prominent in damp and cold air so there is no crazy problem I have.
Using it in masonry or building mode as it’s called is so simple, literally set the mode and stick it on the wall.
The instructions are good and in depth but easy enough to follow, if you are measuring wood then you have some choices to make and you need to know what type of wood it is and to calibrate it before use with the dust caps as per the instructions. I haven’t used it on any wood properly because when having a play with that I had no idea what type of wood the facia boards of the garage are made from.
For under 20 this is a great little tool to have and a much cheaper option to buy this and Google parameters than to pay for a survey if there’s no problem.
Works perfectly and a great size to carry around. Really happy with it and has come in very handy with my woodwork business.
AAA powered and simple to use, Cap is on a bit firm but i assume it will loosed a little over time.
and as someone that has had Damp problems nearly every house ive rented this can be very helpful
price is a little on the higher side for one without a case-holde
The cap is a little stiff to get off but the prongs inside are protected, which is good because they look lethal. This will measure damp in wood and masonry although you have to calibrate it to use it for wood. Full and comprehensive English instructions are included. And you have to know what the wood is to get an accurate reading. It bleeps if it’s over 16%, so it’ll give you an idea if damp is present in your wood, although not so convenient to test prospective premises, because you have to stick the prongs into the wall which will leave a mark.
I’m finding this useful for testing the damp areas in my outbuildings and the woodwork of my garage, and also for the moisture in the wood for burning on an open fire.
You have to provide your own AA batteries and you don’t get a case, just a cardboard box. Don’t lose the instructions.
The meter is fairly basic in operation, with two options for wood or building material and then further control over the type of wood. Most meters around this price mark have maybe two options for wood, hard or soft wood. The back of the instructions show this meter has 8 options. I tested to see what difference these make and on the same piece of Silver Birch the readings differed from 8.2 to 12.5% – so quite a difference if you need to rely on the wood type. I have no way of testing how accurate these readings are. The instructions then state the accuracy is based on readings taken at 20 deg C and if the temperature varies by more than 5 degrees either side you need to adjust by 1/2 % for every 5 degrees.
The meter turns off automatically or by holding the button, it maintains the last setting if you turn it off, a hold button to keep the reading. The lid is quite tight and I found pushing off at an angle works best.
Ive taken a photo of the instructions, or alternatively you could write the main settings for the wood you almost always use and tape to the back of the device as if the instruction sheet is lost you wont get as accurate a reading.
The device has rubber sides and comfortable to use, the metal probes are strong and when forced into wood I had no issues with it. The options for higher accuracy make this device stand out but if you are just looking to test if wood is dry enough to burn or not a simpler device with less options may be better, especially if you don’t know what type of wood it is. Overall it appears to work fine and the adjustment gives this the edge over similar priced ones which no doubt give a more generic reading covering all wood types.
I think I have two leaks that I need to check for so this is perfect to check that out. One is Ealing under the shower I think and the other is a pipe underground.
You need 2 x AA batteries as they’re not supplied.
The screen lights up and shows percentage of moisture in wood or a building.
Remove the black cap and push the pins into the wall or wood.
There are diagrams showing how to read the findings.
For wood you need to put a code in for the type of wood. I wouldn’t have a clue so the wood function would be no good for me.
Overall its a good little meter for detecting damp walls and I’d recommend it.
We have what appears to be a damp patch on the back of our garage, so this looked like a useful way of checking whether we needed to take any remedial action. I took a reading higher up the brickwork which showed 4.4%, and then another at the mouldy patch which read 9.7%. So this does show some damp but not enough to be of concern.
It’s relatively simple to use, at least on masonry. Remove the top (very hard to get off!), take off the pin protectors, turn it on, set it to BLDG and put the pins against the brickwork. The reading settles within a couple of seconds.
On wood it’s a different matter, as there are several settings and a chart of wood types on the back of the instructions, showing which setting should be selected for which wood (see photo). This isn’t particularly intuitive, I have no idea what wood my garden fence is made from for example, so couldn’t be sure of an accurate reading. Also, the chart needs to be kept with the meter, so probably needs laminating otherwise it will quickly deteriorate.
Overall it seems well made, it requires a couple of AAA batteries to power it and the screen is clear and easy to read.
The lack of a case or bag is irritating, but for 20 this is a useful addition to the toolkit.
The display is bright and easy to read. An audible alarm sounds if damp is particularly high. There are 2 settings depending on the material you are probing (wood or masonry). If probing wood, you need to calibrate it to the type of wood. The instructions contain a list of wood types and a letter. Simply change the detector to read the corresponding letter. Of course, this is all well and good if you know your Ash from your Yew! To be honest, the calibration is only if you need more precise measurements. The difference between each is a few percent. If the material is particularly damp, you will get the audible warning.
I tried this on different materials around the house where I know the DPC is sound, and I got good readings. I went to my garage where I have earth over my DPC level, and the alarm was sounding — and this was after a dry spell too. As I took the meter up the wall the readings started to drop off as I would expect.
The probes are sharp to get good contact and a little depth into the material. They come with small rubber protective covers and these are also covered by a sturdier plastic cap — the cap is quite tightly fitted. You will need 2x AAA batteries (not supplied) and remember not to leave them in the unit if not being used regularly.
A decent piece of kit.
This moisture meter requires two triple A batteries which you don’t get. You use the mode button to swap between Wood and Buildings. I used this on my exterior wall where I know there was a damp patch near the base. Whilst this confirms moisture in degrees it does say in the instructions that it can only create a picture for Buildings. It also gives you done diagrams to interpret the readings but I didn’t find that useful as a chart of figured would be more helpful do that it’s clear what levels you need to worry about. To use this (once the mode is chosen) you remove the cap, expose the prongs and push both into the wall, a reading will then appear. It’s that simple.
Before testing for wood, the instructions state to check the device is calibrated by pressing the two probes on the contacts on the cap and checking the moisture value between 16.6 and 20.6%. I am not sure if you can actively calibrate it yourself, so if the value is outside of this mark, then it is better to contact customer support. My one however was perfectly fine, and I’d expect that every other one will also be fine.
The machine will beep with moisture levels over 16%. This is mainly for DIY work, so the two main settings are masonry and wood. The complete backside of the instructions is dedicated to the different types of wood to make it a more accurate measurement – when testing the moisture contact in wood, there are several settings for a more accurate result. This gives me the impression that they do care about the quality of the measurements. Because of this, I recommend keeping the instruction sheet safe.
For example with woods, while you could use this as a maintenance tool, you could also use this to test the condition of the woods before making something. Woods with a higher moisture content can be more unstable than those which have been roasted for example.
The device uses 2x AAA batteries which are not included. The device turns on instantly after pressing the button and you are welcomed with a very bright green backlit display. The display shows the temperature and moisture percentage, as well as a visual representation of this on a horizontal scale. Other modes are shown such as wood//masonary, hold and wood species codes.
There is a cover for the probes and while it provides good protection, it is also quite hard to take off. The best way to take it off (which I think is what’s being described in the manual) is to push the cap forwards. There are also rubber tips on the pins, and it is important that you replace the covers when not in use.
If you’re wondering if you can use this to test the moisture of clothes/fabrics, I’d advise against so the main reason is that this is not calibrated for that and that although you’ll get a percentage of moisture, you will not necessarily know ‘how dry’ it is.
Another important point to note is that the probes are very sharp – pressing them in wood (as required) leads to having dents/holes in the wood were pressed. Of course, this doesn’t really matter if you are in the process of constructing, however, if you are using this to periodically check the condition of a surface, you may want to use practise some restraint to prevent too many holes.
Overall, I am happy with this product. The inclusion of the thermometer is very handy and the results seem accurate with good, fast numbers. The display is lit so can be used in dark environments (although it may be a little too bright) and the build is decent with rubber grips on the side. Hope this was useful.
My son and I are renovating a property at the moment and this has been a useful tool as we move around the skirting, joists and roof supports. The meter itself is well made, the display is clear and it’s easy to use. I like the hold function where you can freeze the display while you move the screen into a more readable position. It’s essential to calibrate the meter before use and the reading you’re looking for depends on what you want to do. Make sure you read the instructions and look on You Tube for guidance on using a meter. Be aware of possible problems (all explained in the instructions) and again, use the web to gain more knowledge.
It came without batteries which is unusual, but I have a box full so it wasn’t a problem and I haven’t deducted a star for that..
Getting the lid off the device is the biggest challenge, but once you have lost a fingernail achieving this it is all plain sailing. Simply put your two probes into your wall / plasterboard or wood and you can then get a sense of how much moisture is within. I say sense because no two readings are exactly the same. That said it is a great indicator of moisture and the range is around 10pc so a fair measurement. Good value moisture indicator.
This is an amazing little gizmo! I’ve seen professionals use them but didn’t realise they’re readily available for domestic use for little cost. You need 2 AAA batteries, not supplied, to get it up and running. They’re easy to insert and there’s a battery saving function whereby it switches off after 3 minutes of inactivity.
There are two little prongs, protected by a cover which you press into the wood or surface you want to check. The wood readings have to be set up first, but there are full instructions and it’s straightforward. Wall or mortar settings are ready to go immediately. The display is clear, easy to read and well laid out. There’s also a temperature reading. The device seems robust and well made and it’s comfortable to hold.
I’ve used it to check whether there’s any internal damp in a couple of walls; I live in a property with thick stone walls, difficult to damp roof effectively with conventional treatment. I’ve also checked the logs I use for the stove. Surprisingly wet! At least I know and can put to one side whilst they dry out rather than burn wet wood. And I can show the supplier at point of delivery. Very pleased with this and happy to recommend.
The first think I noticed that the meter doesn’t come with any batteries, it is a long time since that has happened as usually meters come with batteries included, even if they are cheap ones, but fortunately it uses 2 of the common AAA 1.5v batteries.
It is easy to take the back off and put them in though, no tools required
The display itself it black on a green illuminated background and straight away shows you the ambient temperature which you can change between Fahrenheit and Celsius by a button on the left hand side under the screen.
The display which turns itself off after 3 minutes of inactivity, or you can hold down the “Mode/On-Off” button down for 3 seconds until it turns the screen off.
You need to remove the cap to reveal the two prongs, which are also covered with 2 little rubber caps, which I suspect will get lost pretty quickly though, which brings me to my small little niggle, why no case ? – even a cheap cloth or plastic one would do, the lack of a case means you have to keep the meter in it’s cardboard box, not very good !
After switching on, you then need to select either Building (Masonry) or wood mode.
If you select wood mode you then need to select the type of wood from the chart (the the chart shows a massive 170 species !) and then enter the letter against the species onto the bottom scale (it will display A to H in sequence with each button press) on the meter using the right hand side arrow button, beneath the screen.
It is important to note then before using it on wood to need to test the calibration by setting it to A and inserting the prongs into the 2 holes on the front of the protective cap when you should get a reading between 16.6% and 20.6%, I got 18.2%, all this is explained in Section 4 of the instructions.
With the Building function set, there is no need to do anymore, it is ready to use straight away, am there is a good description of possible problems in Section 3 of the instructions.
It comes with good instructions, explaining both ‘Moisture in Masonry’ and ‘Moisture in Wood’ and they are are easy to understand but it is obvious that you MUST keep the instruction in a safe place, I am going to laminate mine to also protect them from liquids etc.
Ther is also a HOLD button which obviously holds the readings add to release it, just press any one of the 3 buttons above the HOLD button.
All in all this is a good little meter, it is easy to hold because it has two side rubber grips and although they weren’t included, it does use the common AAA batteries, some meters use the more expensive button cells, which are also more difficult to find.
There are loads of manufacturers making these meters, but this is a trusted name in the field and has comprehensive instructions, so probably better to pay that little bit more for the name in this case.
Five stars all day long from me.
Shame I shall have to look for a case though – DryZone please note.
Hope this review helps someone !
There are a few good reasons for having a moisture meter – job, hobby wood worker, builder and wood burner…
Firstly, I have renovated houses all my life and spend most of my time in my workshop or building so I know about moisture meters. They are essential when determining if wood is good enough to be used for something like cabinet making or finding out just how damp a wall is. This is a cheap and easy way to do it and while it’s not pro level it’s plenty good enough for use by most of us.
However, where it may have the biggest impact is wood burners and more relevantly, the wood you burn. Since 2020 wood cannot be sold if above 2m3 if the moisture content is above 20% and deliveries must state that it’s, ‘Ready to Burn.’
But, if like me you have owned wood burners for years you will know that when a supplier states the wood has been seasoned and ready to burn it only means it might technically burn if you use an oxy-acetylene gas-axe on it. I had one load a last year which my son sarcastically asked if I had gotten from a shipwreck it was so wet. It wouldn’t burn and in the end I stored it and now 18 months later it’s around 14%.
But, 20% is hard to work out. I’m very experienced at working with wood and also burning it and without a meter 20% is not easy to compare with say, 16%. There’s a hell of a lot of difference in it’s heat output, environmental credentials and overall usability though. And in practice if you can get the wood down to 12% or less it’s much, much better. You get a far cleaner burn, more heat per log by far and therefore save money.
A meter is essential therefore. I really will be checking every load I buy when it turns up. Frankly, I should have bought a meter years ago for this purpose.
For cabinet making then knowing your moisture level is essential in determining the movement in the finished article. Getting below 10% is essential and preferably 6-8%.
Using this meter is easy. Turn it on and it will be set for ‘Wood’ and ‘Ash.’ It should be calibrated using the contacts on the cap which must have a built in resistance that equals wood. Then simply push the very pointy probe spikes into the wood to be measured (or wall) and it will automatically indicate the moisture level.
Now, this is sold at the more value end of the market and hence it needs a bit of setup. You need to set the unit for the type of material – wood or masonry – and if wood, select the type of wood from the list on the back of the instructions. This is the downside because you need to have that list available to set the type and if you lose it then the readings won’t be as accurate as they should be. I took a photo of the list for my phone just in case.
The meter itself is made to the price. The plastics are not the very best and of course as stated you need to input the types manually. However, it all works very easily and intuitively.
Overall a cheap and effective moisture meter.
Very good and easy to use Damp meter. Fairly intuitive controls. Comes with a handy guide so you can compensate for different wood types to get a more accurate moisture reading. Works great on bricks/mortar too. A handy device to have especially if you are doing any renovation etc.
Now you have the background to my use, let’s talk more about this meter. The only downside that I can find is that it doesn’t come with batteries and you will need two AAA cells.
Once powered up, the display is very clear (bright green backlight with black characters) and it is easy to use buy just pushing the two prongs hard into a piece of wood. There is the option for changing the wood type based on the type of wood, but looking at the table, most hardwoods in the UK are a type “A”, so I am just leaving on this setting (softwood tend to be a type “B”).
Testing various pieces of wood around the house, established furniture is reading around the 8%, which is bang on what I would expect in a centrally heated house, through green wood (around 50%) and various ages of wood that are drying range from 10% up to about 40%. Basically, exactly what I would expect.
So, in summary, a very good meter and only one star off for lack of batteries.
These meters are becoming so accurate that they can be totally relied upon to give an exact reading. Dampness can be a huge problem, especially when renovating or even just decorating. This particular meter does a splendid job, being able to test on 8 types of wood AND masonry (building materials). The results are accurate and can be trusted.
However, there are cheaper options out there that seem to do exactly the same job – also, and this is where this company have not thought it through, the necessary batteries (2 x AAA) have not been supplied and for me this is a bit daft as, unless you have a couple of AAA batteries to hand, you cannot use this meter until you have some.
Back to the meter, this really is an essential bit of kit these days, especially as we seem to be experiencing more rain that ever before. I am happy to recommend this meter, but make sure you have batteries to hand before you buy.