Moisture Meters: The Tool Every Commercial Building Inspector Needs

Inspectors check various areas for moisture including HVAC and plumbing systems.

Commercial building inspectors are known for their sharp senses and attention to detail. But there are some things even the best, most experienced inspectors can’t detect with sight, smell, and touch alone.

In these cases, they need the right tools for the job. And since a sneaky culprit like hidden moisture could mean disruptive problems like leaks or mold growth, a reliable wood moisture meter is a necessary part of that toolkit.

So let’s take a closer look at moisture’s involvement in a building inspection and how the right moisture meter helps inspectors identify potential problem areas even before they become visible:

• What commercial building inspectors do (& why it matters)
• What moisture meters can do for inspectors
• How to use a moisture meter for inspection
• Where to get one

First let’s review what kinds of problems inspectors are looking for, as well as their implications.

What do commercial building inspectors do (& why does it matter)?

Residential inspectors identify defects, malfunctions, code violations, and potential hazards or damage in a house before the new homeowners move in. Commercial inspectors perform a similar role, but their work has a larger scope. And often much higher stakes.

While residential inspectors primarily protect individuals, commercial inspectors protect entire businesses. Their work ensures the safety of both employees and customers. It also prevents lawsuits and saves building managers or property owners time and money they would’ve otherwise wasted on repairs.

With so much riding on a commercial inspection, it’s a given that inspectors must be thorough, conscientious, and knowledgeable.

They’re usually responsible for checking:

• The building’s structure: To evaluate its structural integrity and evaluate any areas in need of repair (weak frame posts, cracks in the walls or ceiling, foundation issues, etc.)
• Electrical systems: To ensure electrical components are operational, up to code, and safely contained.
• Plumbing systems: To check code compliance and identify any flaws or defects in the piping, checking for proper drainage and water pressure, and note any potential for damage or leaks.
• HVAC systems: To make sure the heating and cooling functions are working properly, and that the system is properly installed and in compliance with code, and not in danger of leaking or malfunctioning.
• Roofing: To determine the structural stability of the roof and identify any deterioration or leaks that would require preventive efforts or repair.
• Fire safety systems: That smoke detectors, sprinklers, etc. are operational and unobstructed, exit routes are clear, that no equipment, wiring, etc., pose hazards, and that safety features like extinguishers, alarms, etc., are properly placed and accessible.

So naturally, inspectors don’t want to let anything slip through the cracks.

Because aside from protecting their clients from unsafe conditions, costly repairs, and hefty lawsuits, if something goes wrong later that could be traced back to something they signed off on, guess who’s at risk for angry callbacks and risking a tanked reputation? (No one wants to be known as the inspector who let undetected roofing damage shut down a beloved restaurant.)

Of the various types of building damage, water damage is one of the most common and costly—and sneaky.¹

Part of the trouble is that moisture damage is rarely visible until it’s too late. So if inspectors rely only on look and feel without using any additional tools, they may only notice when it starts to create mold, warping, or material degeneration.

That’s where moisture meters come in, helping inspectors catch moisture problems early and saving building owners the trouble of expensive, inconvenient repairs.

What can moisture meters do for inspectors

The Orion 950, an accurate wood moisture meter trusted by commercial inspection experts.

Moisture meters help commercial inspectors identify potential moisture problems that aren’t yet visible or active, but could lead to (or already be starting to cause):

• Mold
• Rot
• Warping floorboards
• Peeling paint
• Paint bubbles
• Cracks
• Spongy carpets
• Odor in HVAC systems

And it goes without saying that it’s much easier to patch a slow leak than it is to pay to replace a water-damaged office floor.

And because moisture issues can appear in different areas, it’s important to have a meter that can scan various materials.

Some meters, like Wagner’s wood moisture meters, have this capability via relative mode.

While they are designed to measure the moisture content of wood, relative mode enables them to compare moisture levels in non-wooden materials.

Though relative mode doesn’t provide exact moisture readings, it allows you to compare the moisture levels in different places of the material, which can tip you off to a moisture imbalance that could signal a problem underneath. So while it can’t detect mold, it can detect which areas have higher moisture content, which could mean the potential to become breeding grounds for mold.²

Inspectors are not required by inspection industry standards to use moisture meters to check for moisture issues.³ But just because you can’t spot something doesn’t mean it’s not there. It’s always, always better to check.
Even examining a wall with relative mode can mean the difference between successfully preventing moisture damage or not.

Besides, using a moisture meter is definitely easier (and more accurate) than relying on sight, smell, and feel. And what inspector doesn’t want an easier, faster moisture detection process when they have such a big to-do list?

How to use a moisture meter for inspection

Commercial inspectors protect businesses from health hazards, lawsuits, and expensive repairs.

Moisture meters make each job easier for inspectors, but to get the most use out of them, it’s important to know how to use them properly.

How you operate your meter may depend on the kind of meter you have—whether that’s a pin meter or a pinless one.

For the purposes of this article, let’s cover the best practices for pinless meters. Pinless meters are the best option for installers due to quicker and easier use, and especially because they’re non-damaging (meaning you won’t have to worry about filling in the holes pin meters leave behind).

When using a pinless meter for inspection, remember…

Do:

• Take multiple readings: You’ll especially want to do this if you’re in relative mode because the more readings you take, the better you’ll be able to compare a material’s moisture levels.
• Make sure you’re using the right setting: Calibrate your meter to the correct wood species if you’re measuring wood. If you’re measuring anything else, set your meter to relative mode.
• Calibrate your meter regularly: It’s a good idea to calibrate your meter often to ensure its accuracy.
• Check high-moisture areas: This includes HVAC units, bathrooms, sinks, kitchens, etc.

Don’t:

• Measure over metal: If you have metal studs or framing in your walls, measuring over them can interfere with your wall’s moisture readings.
• Measure on uneven surfaces: Rough or bumpy surfaces may throw off moisture readings because the plate doesn’t rest flat against the material when taking a reading.

Besides knowing how to use a moisture meter in the most optimal way, it’s important to get a meter you can trust to get accurate results.

Get your own Wagner wood moisture meter

With the high cost of repairing moisture damage, commercial building inspectors can’t afford not to do moisture testing. And if you’re going to do moisture testing, why not do it the most efficient and effective way possible by using a moisture meter?

If you don’t make sure you have an accurate, reliable, high-quality meter, it defeats the purpose of moisture testing to begin with.

Make a smart investment in your business and in your clients’ satisfaction by upping your moisture-detection game. See our selection of professional-grade moisture meters on our online store.

Wagner Meters

Wagner Meters is a family-owned American business that aims to provide solutions in moisture measurement technology that will enhance the quality and value of each customer’s project. With an almost 60-year legacy of innovation, Wagner continues to be a resource for both individual craftsmen and high-performance commercial endeavors.