FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Absolutely! Wood is the base scale that other materials are measured in reference to. Moisture in a building is constantly on the move and trying to reach equilibrium. In other words, moisture wicks from wet material to dry material until there is a balance between the two.

For example, a piece of timber reads 14% (dry, green zone) on your meter. And, in pin mode, the surface of a concrete floor reads 25% (wet, read zone). If you place the piece of timber on the concrete floor and leave it to equilibrate, the wood will absorb moisture from the concrete until it has reached approximately 25%.

This system of measurement is known as WME (Wood Moisture Equivalent) and is used globally for moisture diagnosis in buildings.

Non-invasive mode (Search Mode) is used to find higher than normal moisture levels. Pin mode is then used to more accurately measure the moisture level once you have found it.

Non-invasive meters are good for finding moisture quickly and behind walls and floor coverings, such as tile and vinyl, but they do not measure as accurately as pin type meters.

“Search Mode” is loosely based on the WME scale, so a reading of 200 is somewhat close to a pin reading of 20%, and a reading of 165 is somewhat close to 16% WME.

When using meter readings for reporting, only use readings from a pin type meter.

Yes! Be careful to use your pin type meter to back up your non-invasive meter findings.

Because moisture normally has a gradient from high to low, you should survey the area carefully and look for changes. If you are getting consistently high readings, this could be caused by metal below the surface. Always confirm the presence of excessive moisture with the pins or deep wall probes.

Typical behind-the-surface metals include corner beading and metal tile lathing.

When being used in non-invasive mode, the SurveyMaster, Aquant and MMS2 must be placed on the wall/surface each time for measurement. Do not slide the meter up/down/across to measure.

Additionally, when in non-invasive mode, a consistent angle improves repeatability of readings.

The SurveyMaster and Aquant should be placed on the wall and tipped upwards until the cap touches the surface.

The MMS2 should be used by holding the leading edge of the sensor bulge against the surface at an angle ranging from 20° to 50°.

This is typical of a condensation problem. Condensation is one the major causes of moisture problems in buildings and is typically a surface moisture problem.

Non-invasive measurements give an average reading across the depth of measurement (up to ¾”), and pins give the highest reading for the depth of measurement (surface).

In the case of surface condensation, non-invasive mode will only show a slight increase in readings, and the pins will read high. A moisture meter, such as the SurveyMaster, has both pin and non-invasive modes, so it is ideal for making this diagnosis.

Absolutely! Wood is the base scale that other materials are measured in reference to. Moisture in a building is constantly on the move and trying to reach equilibrium. In other words, moisture wicks from wet material to dry material until there is a balance between the two.

For example, a piece of timber reads 14% (dry, green zone) on your meter. And, in pin mode, the surface of a concrete floor reads 25% (wet, read zone). If you place the piece of timber on the concrete floor and leave it to equilibrate, the wood will absorb moisture from the concrete until it has reached approximately 25%.

This system of measurement is known as WME (Wood Moisture Equivalent) and is used globally for moisture diagnosis in buildings.

Non-invasive mode (Search Mode) is used to find higher than normal moisture levels. Pin mode is then used to more accurately measure the moisture level once you have found it.

Non-invasive meters are good for finding moisture quickly and behind walls and floor coverings, such as tile and vinyl, but they do not measure as accurately as pin type meters.

“Search Mode” is loosely based on the WME scale, so a reading of 200 is somewhat close to a pin reading of 20%, and a reading of 165 is somewhat close to 16% WME.

When using meter readings for reporting, only use readings from a pin type meter.

Yes! Be careful to use your pin type meter to back up your non-invasive meter findings.

Because moisture normally has a gradient from high to low, you should survey the area carefully and look for changes. If you are getting consistently high readings, this could be caused by metal below the surface. Always confirm the presence of excessive moisture with the pins or deep wall probes.

Typical behind-the-surface metals include corner beading and metal tile lathing.

When being used in non-invasive mode, the SurveyMaster, Aquant and MMS2 must be placed on the wall/surface each time for measurement. Do not slide the meter up/down/across to measure.

Additionally, when in non-invasive mode, a consistent angle improves repeatability of readings.

The SurveyMaster and Aquant should be placed on the wall and tipped upwards until the cap touches the surface.

The MMS2 should be used by holding the leading edge of the sensor bulge against the surface at an angle ranging from 20° to 50°.

This is typical of a condensation problem. Condensation is one the major causes of moisture problems in buildings and is typically a surface moisture problem.

Non-invasive measurements give an average reading across the depth of measurement (up to ¾”), and pins give the highest reading for the depth of measurement (surface).

In the case of surface condensation, non-invasive mode will only show a slight increase in readings, and the pins will read high. A moisture meter, such as the SurveyMaster, has both pin and non-invasive modes, so it is ideal for making this diagnosis.

Protimeter pin type meters are sold standard with a calibration check device. This device is placed across the pins and should give a reading of 18.1+ or -1%. The check device can also be used to test the hammer electrode and other plug-in accessories for WME pin mode.

This is typical of a temperature condition that is outside of the calibrated range. All later model Protimeter moisture meters have the ability to zero the meter in-air to compensate for this. Please refer to your instrument’s instruction manual.

Replace your HygroStick or HumiStick. The E9 Error indicates that the sensor has fallen well beyond the calibration tolerances.

To maximize the life of the electrode, and stop them from snapping, ensure that you drive the probes in straight, and most importantly, use the slide hammer action to drive the probes out straight.

Enclosed with your calibration check device are two spare pins. To replace the needles, unscrew the ferrule nuts using a ¼” nut driver. Press out the pins and replace.

Additional pins are available at www.protimeter.com or through your local distributor - BLD0500 Replacement Pins (Pack of 20) and BLD0501 Replacement Nut Ferrules BLD0501 (Pack of 2).