10 Steps to Make the Most of Your Moisture Meter

If you own a Wagner Moisture Meter, you have one of the best tools on the market for monitoring moisture in wood and concrete on your jobsite. The Intellisense technology you get with your meter yields quick and accurate readings of the moisture content levels in your materials. Here are top 10 ways to make the most of your Wagner Moisture Meter.

1. Since your Wagner Moisture Meter is pinless, you will lay it on top of the wood to get a reading. Tip number one to get the most from your meter is to put some pressure on the meter when you lay it on the wood. About 3 lbs of pressure is great for a good reading.


2. Wipe off surface moisture. The Wagner Moisture Meter is relatively unaffected by surface moisture, but it is better to place it directly onto the wood or concrete, rather than allowing a film of moisture in between. Just wipe off the wood with your hand, and you should be ok.


3. Use the proper meter for the job. If you are measuring a waterborne finish to check if it's ready for the next coat of finish, the right meter for you is the L607. This meter is specially designed and calibrated to read waterborne finish applications and to only measure the surface moisture.


4. If you are measuring moisture content levels in installed flooring, the meter will probably pick up moisture in the subfloor. If the subfloor is made of wood products, this probably won’t skew the readings, but concrete will give a higher reading.


5. Never check the moisture content of a piece of wood lying on a metal table. Instead, hold it in the air to take a reading.


6. Be careful with your meter. A Wagner Moisture Meter is calibrated at the factory, and will probably never need recalibrating. However, if you drop your meter, or it is accidentally submerged, it could be damaged. You can keep it in a carrying case on your belt loop for protection.


7. The batteries for your Wagner Moisture Meter are very long lived. However, it is always a good idea to keep spares with you. A quick switch of batteries on the jobsite will make a big difference in time-on-task.


8. Keep the manual handy. The Wagner Moisture Meter comes with a very useful manual that tells you the specific gravities for each wood you deal with. Be sure to check your manual to get the most from your meter.


9. Be sure there is no condensation on the sensing plate of your moisture meter. Just as the surface you are measuring should be free of visible moisture, the sensing plate should be clear, as well.


10. Don’t forget that your Wagner Moisture Meter can be used to measure moisture content levels in plywood and OSB. Use the section in your Species Adjustment Table to set your meter to read these materials.

There you have it – 10 ways to get the most from your Wagner Moisture Meter. These pointers will help you use your meter for years to come.

Article by Ron SmithWagner Meters

Ron is a sales manager for Wagner Meters, and has 28 years of experience in instrumentation and measurement systems in different industries. In previous positions, he has served as a regional sales manager, product and projects manager, and sales manager with manufacturers involved in measurement instrumentation.