Water damage can strike at any time. A burst water pipe, a leaking roof, or a change of weather during a construction project can all lead to damage within a building. Storms are commonplace as well, leading to more large-scale work for companies in water damage restoration.
Water-damaged buildings are at risk of structural damage as well as aesthetic problems, plus they can cause a range of health and safety issues, as we’ll touch on in this article. That’s why it’s never been more important to have an effective moisture meter on hand when dealing with a variety of water damage issues. But why are moisture meters so critical to effective water damage restoration? Here are several reasons why restoration specialists should consider a high-quality moisture meter as a key tool for dealing with water damage of all kinds.
Moisture Meters Reduce the Risk of Health Hazards
Water damage causes many issues, but one major health hazard is the risk of mold and bacteria. Mold can grow on many surfaces if they become damp enough, and this can trigger a range of health issues including allergies, asthma, and even skin conditions. Plus, when mold establishes itself, it can leave nasty stains that are very difficult to get rid of. Preventing mold, fungus, and bacteria from taking hold is much easier than getting rid of it once it has.
Effective moisture meters allow restoration experts to be 100% sure that there is not enough moisture to allow mold or fungus to become established, helping keep the occupants of the building safe and healthy. A moisture meter can also warn them of potential sites where mold could grow, perhaps during drying out time, which could prompt the restoration specialist to take extra precautions such as wearing a mask or gloves.
Moisture Meters Help Specialists Work With Different Materials
Water damage restoration professionals often have to deal with a wide variety of materials during a single project. A versatile moisture meter like one from the Navigator™ range supports up to 37 materials (some can be downloaded after purchase), allowing for continuous and efficient moisture content measurements with a single device.
The other bonus for restoration specialists is that Navigator™ moisture meters connect via Bluetooth to a handy app called EDGE™. This app helps record unlimited moisture level readings and exports them for seamless reporting. This is especially useful when waiting for areas of a building to dry out because it makes it easier to monitor the progress and report it back to invested parties.
Moisture Meters Cope With Different Sized Areas of Water Damage
Some areas of water damage might be very localized, such as from a leaky pipe or a crack in a roof lining. But, of course, some water damage is more significant. Flood from storms can cause widespread damage to walls, floors, and even foundations. A burst pipe could wreck a whole room but leave the rest of a building relatively untouched. Moisture meters allow you to deal with all scales of water damage, especially if you understand how to choose the right moisture meter for the job at hand.
Pinless moisture meters use a flat sensor to quickly scan the surface, allowing frequent average readings to be taken over a large area. They can also be used to check for moisture hotspots and where to carry out more specific testing with a pin meter. Pin moisture meters insert two electrodes into materials and can give very accurate moisture content readings for very small areas. This makes them ideal moisture meters for water damage restoration projects, both large and small.
Moisture Meters Assist in Choosing the Right Materials
Some buildings simply have higher natural levels of moisture than others due to the environment. The use of poorly chosen materials can lead to water damage because the materials aren’t designed to deal with high levels of moisture. Examples of this include drywall, which is particularly susceptible to moisture. However, there are drywall-based products that can be used in higher moisture areas, if required. Being able to accurately and easily establish the current moisture levels within walls and other areas helps restoration professionals understand exactly what renovation materials they require.
Wood reacts to seasonal changes in humidity, so there’s a range of factors to consider when dealing with wood. Understanding the equilibrium moisture content (EMC) can help renovators or restoration specialists plan for shrinking or expanding wood as temperatures and humidity levels change throughout the year.
Delmhorst Instrument Co. is the leading technology provider for the water damage restoration industry. Contact us for more help, support, and the right moisture meters for your water damage restoration project.
Image Credits: Expertise @Creative Commons
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