What Moisture Readings Mean

7/20/2021 (Permalink)

What do moisture readings in my home mean?

When it comes to your home, it is essential to keep it as safe as possible. Typically, you can spot a potential hazard from a mile away. Anything from exposed nails to broken glass can be spotted by the naked eye. Unfortunately, not all hazards are visible, and excessive moisture within your walls can be a silent danger to your home. Here at SERVPRO of South Mecklenburg County, we want to teach you how to spot walls with too much moisture, and what to do once you find them. 

The Danger of Excessive Moisture

Moisture within the walls of your home is extremely dangerous for both the home and everyone living within it. One potential danger of moisture is the deterioration of the structural integrity of your home. It can result in walls deteriorating and eventually collapsing, resulting in significant damage to your home and potentially injuring those within. Additionally, moisture can result in the creation of mold, which can cause unwanted smells and also harm structural integrity. 

How to Spot Moisture in Your Walls

While figuring out if there is moisture in your walls may need a professional, there are a few methods that you can use purely through observation. Go throughout your home and see if any of the walls seem to be fading, cracking, or producing a musty smell. In some situations, you may even see watermarks on the walls. If your walls meet any of these guidelines, we suggest that you bring a professional in to test the moisture levels within your home.

How to Test Moisture Levels

Moisture Meters are devices that measure the percent of moisture within a material. If you spot any signs of excessive moisture within your walls, a moisture meter will either confirm or disprove your hunch. There are two types of meters, one type can be inserted into the walls of your home to give you an exact reading of the moisture percent, the other type of meter reads moisture from the surface of a wall. The type of meter used depends on a few factors, like the material being tested, expected moisture levels, and more. All walls will have some levels of moisture, typically between 5 and 15%, but if the percentage is higher than 17%, the wall will likely need to be replaced. 

What Next?

If you notice warning signs of excessive moisture in your home, SERVPRO of South Mecklenburg County can provide you with accurate moisture readings. If there is an above-average amount of moisture, we can help properly replace and reinforce the walls in your home. We can be reached at (704)-840-6112 and will be ready any time day or night to help you in your time of need

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