Moisture Mapping and Detection Methods

Moisture Mapping: Essential for Building Health

Moisture mapping is a process of identifying areas within a building where moisture is present. It is an essential tool for assessing the health of a building and preventing moisture-related problems, such as mold, mildew, and rot. Moisture mapping can be performed using a variety of methods, including:

  • Infrared thermography
  • Moisture meters
  • Visual inspection

How to Do a Moisture Test on Walls

One common method of moisture mapping is to perform a moisture test on walls. This can be done using a moisture meter, which is a device that measures the electrical resistance of a material. When a material is wet, its electrical resistance decreases, so a moisture meter can be used to identify areas where moisture is present.

To perform a moisture test on a wall, follow these steps:

  1. Remove any furniture or other objects from the wall.
  2. Set the moisture meter to the correct setting for the type of material you are testing.
  3. Hold the probes of the moisture meter against the wall surface.
  4. Read the moisture content reading on the meter.

A moisture content reading of 20% or higher is considered to be elevated and may indicate a problem. If you find any areas of high moisture content, you should investigate further to determine the source of the moisture and take steps to correct the problem.