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What is normal moisture?
Moisture levels in the air can have a dramatic impact on your comfort, your home, your possessions and even your health. Overly humid air can breed mold, mildew and other unwanted fungi that will damage your belongings.
Likewise, dry air can cause your skin to become itchy and other mucous membranes to become dry, which can lead to coughing, wheezing, and breathing difficulties.
Wood, Sheet Rock and other building materials used in homes need to be properly acclimated. If not, these materials will be susceptible to decay and can cause costly repairs or replacement.
How to measure the moisture in a material
The grain moisture meter is designed to read different types of materials, and they do so within a certain range. This is known as a reference scale, and it means that you don’t need to buy a meter that can accurately measure all kinds of material.
How to use a meter
A common method is to place the meter on a surface that’s already dry and press it against it, or even on the wall. Then wait a few minutes for the reading to stabilize. Then record the percentage value, and also the reference number so that you can see what type of material was tested.
The readings from a wood moisture meter should be within a range of 6% to 10%. However, for drywall, concrete, and masonry substances, they should be lower. This is because these substances are hygroscopic, meaning they expand and contract with changes in moisture content.