Concrete Moisture Meter Readings

The moisture reading scales are designed to determine a specific quantitative amount of moisture content mc in a specific type of material.

Concrete moisture meter readings.

The moisture meter method. When testing the moisture content in non wood materials such as concrete a relative scale of 0 to 100 is often used where 0 is bone dry and 100 is saturated. Seeing whether astm f 2170 testing is necessary for established concrete slabs. Unfortunately there is no scientific basis to the test and it has been specifically disallowed for some concrete types.

Most moisture meters are calibrated to wood which provides a relatively accurate reading in wood moisture content. The reference scale helps to provide a qualitative estimation of moisture in different types of materials. For each test site a packet of very dry calcium hydroxide is poured into a container which is then weighed. When you only need a surface level reading of moisture in concrete.

Some moisture meters use a range from 0 100 and some use a range from 0 300 in the reference scale. This allows you to determine the moisture level across the entire surface of the floor rather than just one specific area. When are moisture meters useful for concrete testing. Concrete moisture meters operate by sending an electrical signal into the concrete and measuring its resistance as an indicator of the moisture level in the slab.

Typically this scale ranges in the 5 to 40 range. In some cases you may only need a surface level. First their measurement depth does not adequately reflect the drying condition of a whole concrete slab. This can tell you if the concrete is likely to damage the materials above it or suffer other problems.

Moisture meters send an electromagnetic field approximately one inch beneath the concrete surface. A concrete moisture meter measures the concentration of moisture at the slab surface. The test is conducted in three locations for every 1000 square feet of concrete slab. While they can be a useful survey tool they typically operate at about depth and can be susceptible to other elements within the slab such as rebar certain types of aggregates and more.

Ed wagner answers the questions. Moisture meters have important limitations. There are times where the full on astm. Sam pro dual moisture meter 2 0 new flashlight function rapidly readings of moisture and temperature work in over 100 materials best at checking lumber and hardwood for building.

This form of concrete floor moisture test is valuable in assisting contractors in identifying suspect areas that might require further testing deeper in the slab but that testing must be conducted with in situ probes.