Thread: Need a new moisture meter

I lost my moisture meter. It could be in any one of three houses that I had a hard time getting access to.

Anyway, I need a new one.

I'm looking for something reliable, small, and inexpensive. I don't want to spend a ton for something that I am likely to lose again.

Also, who has the best prices?

Thanks in advance.

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Originally Posted by Brian Cooper

I lost my moisture meter. It could be in any one of three houses that I had a hard time getting access to.

Anyway, I need a new one.

I'm looking for something reliable, small, and inexpensive. I don't want to spend a ton for something that I am likely to lose again.

Also, who has the best prices?

Thanks in advance.

Bunches on Ebay!
moisture meter, Industrial Electrical Test, Gardening Plants items on eBay.com

Many inspectors are or have gone out of business during the slowdown.

I like Tramex and Surveymaster the best. They cost the most, but with this type of equipment you get what you pay for. I would not cut corners on a moisture meter. Expect to pay a few hundred dollars for a good one.

Yes. Spend some money. Its tough, but you don't want to skimp on a moisture meter. After I lost some tools and quite a bit of money I got real good at not losing them again.

You wouldn't want your doctor using some low-ball, 2nd-hand equipment in the operating room would you?

I have all three of the major mfrs. I use the Protimeter Surveymaster the most. Its small and convenient.

I bought a couple cheap meters on e-bay. I was looking for something that was small and light and easy to carry in my tool belt and in my pocket in the cralwspace.

I found one for somewhere in the low $20's if I remember right. It even has a hold button to make it easier to photograph the results. I worried about the accuracy and tested it along side my 3 other meters (all larger and heavier) and was OK.

The problem I have had is: 1. my cell phone bumps the on button (They share the same pocket in my tool belt) and I don't notice, so the battery goes down., 2. I have had trouble with the ON button and had to send back two of them for replacement (covered under warranty).

While I own 3 other meters, including one of the $400 units, I think the one from e-bay suits my use very well. Light weight, digital readout and a hold button.
JF

If you're a home inspector, you can't afford to not buy a quality meter. I'd say go with a wagner BI 2200 moisture meter. They're the only pinless meter I know of that can't be fooled by surface moisture, and I'd contend that an inspector can't get by without a pinless meter. If you're measuring the wide variety of materials that you'd normally find in a home, pins just won't cut it.

Oh, and Wagner's the only company I've been able to get to provide me studies backing up their claims that they're the most accurate.

I bought the $50 Ryobi pin-less form the big box store several months ago. Works fine for what I want. Says it measures up to 1/2" deep and has softwood, hardwood, wall and concrete settings. I've compared it with pin meters and against meters used by the WDI inspectors that I crawl around with, little or no difference in the readings.

I'm not selecting cherry or black walnut to build furniture with. What I want to know, is this stained spot wetter than that spot! I don't check every surface of the house just what is suspect.

I still fall back on my Surveymaster almost all the time.

I don't think you need a cheaper or inexpensive moisture meter. I think you just need to get in the habit of doing a tool check before you leave the house. There are three tools I check for before leaving every house: flashlight, camera, voice recorder. As for my Protimeter Surveymaster, it goes back in my bag as soon as I get done using it. If I have to pull it out 4 or 5 more times during the inspection, I don't mind having to reach back into my bag to ensure I know where it is at all times.