Moisture meters for wood: how to choose and use

The most important thing in sorrow construction of wooden houses - when materials are due to poor drying begins to warp. It will happen in the course of construction or after the period of shrinkage, in any case, you will incur material losses. And all because of an unscrupulous seller simply deceived you, do not provide the proper quality of life and storage of lumber. Help out in this situation can only moisture meters for wood. These simple devices warn you in advance of an improper material. How to choose and use a hydrometer - the theme of this article HouseShief.ru.

What use hygrometer

Electronic moisture meters were in use recently. Before their invention, the moisture level determined by state standards. Research is very time consuming and required sample integrity violations. With the advent of electronic sensors everything has become much easier and faster: they measure the electrical resistance of the material, and in a matter of seconds give the result.

At moisture permissible error of up to 4%, it should be borne in mind if you are measured, for example, the trunk. For accurate results, you need to make a measurement of at least three places, at the ends and in the middle of the workpiece. It must be remembered that the type of wood have different density. This factor may also affect the accuracy of measurement.

Advantages of application and types of moisture meters

Using compact device has its undeniable advantages, the main of which - the high quality of analysis. Such devices are relatively inexpensive, and the handling of them you will not experience any difficulties.

We can write it in the negative? Well, perhaps, the need to make the probe a small hole in the material. This can be difficult if you have in mind, for example, to check the finished product from the expensive wood. Will have to find an inconspicuous area for analysis. Oh and one more insignificant flaw - the device does not give accurate information about the moisture content of less than 4%. Although, if there is a 4% - this is the normal rate.

Needle hygrometer for measuring the moisture content of wood

Such devices are used extensively in professional wood. Measurement of moisture occurs in the thickness of the material to a depth of 4 cm. The range of operation of the device - from 5 to 50%.

Moisture Meters for surface analysis

In such devices probes have a small length. This compact device for the pocket carrying domestic purposes. Using them easy to measure humidity boards.

Moisture Meters timber for depth measurements

Deep devices show state timber, Logs and planks. They are used for determining the moisture content of wood chips and sawdust used in the manufacture pressed plates. The main problem in the use of this professional device - the fragility of a long needle.

Superficial or dielcometric hygrometer

Recent developments allow us to investigate the moisture content in the objects without breaking their integrity. That's how work dielcometric humidity meters. Contactless wood moisture meters are simply superimposed on top of the product, without damaging its integrity. This is very useful if you want to analyze furniture or parquet of expensive breeds.

Reliable manufacturers moisture meters

The moisture meter can be purchased at the famous mega-Chinese trading platform, but agree that in this case you do not get any guarantees of reliability of the readings. It is better to trust the producers, are responsible for the quality of the equipment. In this respect, worthy of proven building moisture meters from Wagner, Testo, Condtro, Geo-Fennel. Lineup meters from these companies is reliable in operation and affordable price.

What moisture meter for wood is better to buy for the household needs

The most important performance parameter of the device - a range of humidity factor, which he can perceive. Ideally - from 0 to 100%, but such devices are expensive and belong to professional equipment. For domestic use is not required.

The second important factor for deciding how to choose wood moisture meter - its error. The smaller it is, the better. Find the index of the margin of error in the technical data sheet. If it is within 3% - feel free to take.

And last, not the most significant factor of choice - is the presence of additional functionality. Some further moisture meters are backlit, the charge level sensor and the ability to conduct the measurement statistics.

If you are not sure which wood moisture meter is better to buy, professional or consumer - take two household with a different measurement principle.

Is it possible to make the moisture meter for wood with their hands?

For a man versed in electrical engineering, in principle, there is nothing impossible. The device itself - it is only measuring the electrical resistance, its structure is quite primitive. Here you have an example video of hygrometer for household use, made with his own hands:

What is the cost to buy a home hygrometer for wood: the price issue

Household moisture meters can be purchased at home improvement stores, and on numerous Internet sites. Here are some of the available instruments for measuring humidity:

Model	Main characteristics	The average cost as of September 2018, rub.
	Measurement range - 6-44% Error - 2% Measured materials - wood, concrete strainer, brick, cement and mortar	1990
	Measurement range - 1-75% Error - 0.5% Measured materials - wood, construction materials	4300
	Measurement range - 0-55% Accuracy - 1% Measured materials - wood, building materials, built-in meter humidity	12500
	Measurement range - 2-70% Accuracy - 1% Measured materials - wood, paper, cardboard, Particleboard and Fibreboard	1590
	Measurement range - 4-80% Accuracy - 1% Measured materials - wood, non-contact	5890

As you can see, the unit price is relatively low. She, in any case, incommensurate with the potential loss from the acquisition of low-quality wood. So if you are planning to construction - please be sure to this device. If you have already used it and can give good advice to our readers, write about it in the comments!