Can tape over the probe cause erroneous readings?

[eaadams]

I have a 2nd tester now using a puddy like caulking between the cap and sleve / concrete. Fails often but doesn't prevent surface moisture from coming out.

Is there such a thing as a duct type tape that breaths? like a mesh tape? I'd be more comfortable with that.

In reality I picture a new wagner product. It would be a cylinder (battery shaped) made to fit in the meter hole. It would fill the hole and prevent debris from entering and then I would also have a metal core running the full length so I could remove it with a [edit: magnet]. If you wanted to get fancy you could integrate a mushroom cap shape to it to protect the edges.