For construction contractors dealing with any disaster where water intrusion plays a role, such as faulty plumbing, water leaks, heavy rainstorms, hurricane, or fire (due to suppression efforts), moisture meters are necessary to assess the extent of the water damage quickly and efficiently. This is vital to distinguish between salvageable and unsalvageable materials in order to cost-effectively expedite needed construction.
Whether in roofing, drywall, framing, flooring, or carpet, excess water left behind in building materials after a disaster can lead to mold growth and material rot long after the initial incident. The ability to provide sufficient documentation to prove existing water damage can also be stipulated for insurance claims or possible FEMA registration.
Although the construction industry has access to moisture meters, to some extent, these tools typically require calibration, sampling, and specialized personnel. In addition, they are not very portable or flexible in measuring a variety of materials on the jobsite.
Fortunately, a new category of portable, handheld, instant moisture measurement devices are now available for construction contractors that can be used on a wide range of materials with no special training. These “point-and-measure” units can be used at the jobsite wherever moisture is a problem. These new tools are now helping to speed restoration and improve building quality and can be either purchased or leased.
So, today the typical contractor’s toolkit needs an update. For initial assessment and throughout the rebuild process, contractors involved in work where water intrusion is a problem will need a reliable, portable, instant moisture meter, along with shop vacs, fans, and other equipment to dry and remove water.
“Since not all water damage is visible to the naked eye, using a moisture meter can help contractors determine exactly just how much of a structure has been exposed to water, so they can save what is dry and safe, and rebuild only what is necessary,” says John Bogart.
Bogart, an expert in moisture and composition analysis, is also Managing Director of Kett US, a manufacturer of a full range of moisture and organic composition analyzers.
Faulty Plumbing
The primary cause of most routine water damage in a structure is faulty plumbing in the form of burst or leaking pipes. Toilets and drains and can get backed up and blocked, leading to excess pressure in the pipe which can trigger a pipe burst or leak. A poorly functioning garbage disposal can also lead to a burst pipe for the same reason, and old or corroded pipes are prone to leaking.
When plumbing problems such as leakage occur within a building’s walls, structural damage can take place out of sight until it becomes evident and must be remediated.
Water Leakage
Water leakage into a structure can occur for a variety of reasons. Heavy rain can soak a building’s interior during the construction of a new building or during remodeling whenever the structure is open to the natural environment.
Older home appliances such as washing machines, water heaters, dishwashers, and refrigerators can all leak water into a building’s interior when hoses or connections weaken or crack.
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) units can also accumulate moisture from the ambient environment and leak when not properly maintained or serviced.
Hurricane
A hurricane can loosen shingles enough to allow water to creep in and rot the structure of a structure from the top down. A contractor’s visual inspection of the roof can quickly assess any preliminary damage. But as contractors make necessary repairs after a major storm, they will also want to quickly discover any moisture seeping in before it causes too much damage.
“A contractor can use a moisture meter to learn whether or not water is working its way through a roof that has been compromised by gale-force winds and heavy rain,” says Bogart.
For example, one portable moisture meter that contractors have found to be effective to instantly check a roof for water damage is Kett’s HI520-02, which can measure through shingles and deep into the sublayers to evaluate roof sheathing for moisture. The versatile unit also measures drywall, concrete, and mortar.
Inspect Drywall, Frame, And Insulation
If a structure was exposed to serious amounts of water, chances are, much of the affected framework behind walls will need to be replaced, as will any drywall and insulation that has contacted the water. Drywall and insulation will need to be removed and replaced well above any visible watermarks left after the flooding or standing water subsides. Exposure to water will weaken drywall and cause swelling, bulging, and crumbling, while insulation may quickly become a host to dangerous mold.
Drywall may seem fine at first glance, but the contractor will want to use a moisture meter to ensure that the structure’s walls are free from moisture damage. Contractors can rely on a universal moisture meter or even a near-infrared moisture meter to provide reliably accurate moisture readings throughout a structure.
According to Bogart, Near-Infrared (NIR) light is a highly accurate, non-contact secondary measurement method that can deliver immediate, laboratory quality moisture readings.
“NIR moisture meters follow the principle that water absorbs certain wavelengths of light. The meter reflects light off the sample, measures how much light has been absorbed, and the result is automatically converted into a moisture content reading. Contractors can use the NIR meters on anything where measuring surface moisture is important,” says Bogart.
Major Structural Damage
If powerful winds, downed trees, or major flooding have caused extensive structural issues, chances are the home or facility has been exposed to a significant amount of water from rain, flash floods, or storm surge.
When structures are ripped open or flooded, it is important to discover the extent of the damage: Just how far did the water creep into the structure? Is only one area of the structure affected? What needs to be replaced?
If the building has incurred major structural damage, the best way to discover what is salvageable is to check what is dry and intact. A moisture meter will provide many of these answers.
Fire
Extinguishing a fire can require using large volumes of water which can prove to be just as destructive to a structure as the fire itself. So, on first inspection it can be helpful for a restoration contractor to use a universal moisture meter or a NIR meter to determine the extent of water damage in plain view and behind the scenes.
Is the base floor too water damaged to salvage? Wood that has been exposed to water and flooding can be susceptible to dry rot. So, using a wood moisture tester to check that wood has properly dried can prevent losing structural integrity as a result of dry rot. Be sure to check carefully around window and door frames for moisture too, where powerful winds can shift joints, and water can find its way in.
While initial assessment may be the primary focus of moisture measurement for disaster recovery, it can also be invaluable during the rebuild process as well.
“A moisture meter is good to use not only for assessment but also throughout the entire rebuilding process as well since it helps contractors monitor moisture levels along the way to document building quality and compliance,” concludes Bogart.
