This can happen with furniture, cabinets, or wood flooring. I suspect the screws may be skewing the measurements. Mansel, I would just keep an eye out for now. 15% is too high, at least for hardwoods. He added that plastic sheet ground covering that his company laid over my crawl space had been moved in spots and that I no longer had full coverage. Drying teak hardwood from a humid climate, for use outdoors in a much drier European climate? Condensation can be a sign of high humidity. Additionally, when using a reference scale meter, its important to remember that the number provided isnt an exact measurement of the moisture content of the material being tested. Because the electromagnetic frequencies used to scan the material in question use distortions in the radio wave to measure moisture content in building materials. Here is a link to our website for more information: https://www.wagnermeters.com/shop/orion-950-smart/. Hello, Paul here. These tools will give you the confidence that you have done everything on your part to ensure the highest quality in the piece you have built. If the MC of plywood is above 20%, can it be redried in a kiln or would that harm the glue? Drier materials like drywall . In this article, we wanted to share whats out there on the web and other reliable sources about normal moisture meter readings. Wood is hygroscopic. The shipping time is approximately 45 day in a 40 container to the west coast . Walls in homes with healthy humidity levels typically have a moisture reading between 12-15%. As the name suggests, drywall is meant to be dry and damp free. Were building a new home and have a roof leak. Or perhaps I should advise them to buy Wagner meters, for better accuracy ;-). Do you think that heated floor actually help to dry or do they make things worse and more humid! The moisture content of freshly cut wood is typically somewhere between 40-200%. We just had a hydrometer installed in the crawlspace and it is reading 38% as of today. Different wood? Thats why if the amount of moisture ranges from 0.1% to 0.2%, drywall scales can detect it more accurately. There is no balancing layer on the reverse of the panels which might obstrust breathing of the panel. The reading of dry material can be used as a reference in the future. Any moisture content measured higher than that might result in movement, such as warping and twisting, once it dries. The EMC in the recommended temperature/humidity range coincides with the 6% to 9% range used by most flooring manufacturers during the manufacturing and shipping process. (He didnt cite a figure.) Acclimation is the process for conditioning the moisture content of wood flooring to the environment where it will be installed. What is the SG setting? So make sure to check the baseline regularly and verify if its still reliable for your tests and checks. Non-invasive meters have more false positives than penetrating meters. The moisture content typically ranges from 6-8% for hardwood floors. I have used spar urethane as a finish on a few other 12 to 18 MC (semi-wet) log projects that turned out wonderfully. A change this big will be easy to see. I live in Charlotte, NC. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. I live in coastal South Carolina .we are definitely afraid of mold formation. thanks so much in advance. You should be ok as long as the moisture content does not get worse (higher). The most common settings are for softwood, hardwood, masonry, and drywall. So, when looking at the relative humidity of the space, spaces left above 70% RH for extended periods will also promote mold growth. You cannot know if a piece of wood is right for your project unless you know its moisture content. Well, tile, bricks, and stones are known to have a low water-holding capacity and therefore should be dry. Therefore, they need to be set to the proper wood density before taking a moisture reading. As a result, this scale cannot be used for other materials as it simply wont make sense. Levels between 25-30% indicate that there may be water ingress, meaning that remedial work could be required. Standard construction studs such as 24 and 26s are typically dried to 19% moisture content before they are installed. But the table will be inside? Any thoughts as to what the issue was with the first install so we dont have the same issue again next year after we go through a new install? How would be the best way to prevent mold from growing on the furniture. One note is that we did have some fungus growth in our crawlspace during the construction phase prior to the crawlspace being sealed and had the contractor come and spray and clean the floor joists and subflooring where applicable. You mentioned the humidity outside is 55%. With that in mind, and similarly to what we said about drywall, concrete must remain dry and damp free. Method 01: Use a Moisture Meter Step 1: Purchase a moisture meter. Reference scales are preferred more to determine whether the material is too dry or too wet. If an interior location has an average RH of 40-52%, wood placed there will have an average EMC of 8-9%. I strongly recommend using a moisture meter, along with a thermo-hygrometer, or even a smart logger before you start building, to ensure the wood is at an optimal moisture content in an environment that has an acceptable relative humidity and temperature range. Any suggestions to this being possible to correct? Please commenr? Select The Correct Mode. What readings are normal when checking the components of masonry? So if theyre worth it to you will depend on how serious you are about soil moisture. They allow you to set the wood density to accurately measure every wood species. Thanks for the question. Im not sure which part of Europe you are from, but typically the Indonesian climate is very humid compared to other parts of the world. Since the "wet zone" readings of 20% were limited to a certain area and the wood does not feel soft or spongy I am hopeful that we can fix . 18 years ago the moist content (MC) of the beams and joist was 24% in an area of the crawl space that floods in spring. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. The owners had contractors come out to repair it. The amount of water is determined by subtracting the dry weight from the initial weight. Thank you. Colorado is cold and dry. 10 14% moisture content is too high. Its always a good idea to check with the manufacturer of the finish also. He found all the walls and ceilings read at 10-14% on a pin reader. Is this accurate? I have taken a few readings with the walls I'm concerned about and it ranges from 20 - 26% even from top to bottom, I took a reading in a room not so bad at around 10-12% top to bottom. If your reading is over 20%, you may need to replace the drywall entirely. What Do These Moisture Meter Readings Mean? Most of it will dissipate. I have Suar wood from Indonesia and want use to indoor furniture, how range the Moisture Content allowance for this wood. I had it milled into 2.25 slabs and I stacked it on a deck area. Readings below 12% indicate superlative quality firewood. I can only assume that the floor is installed and you are reading through the wood into the subfloor. Depending on your need, you should select the correct ones for the job. The floor installer put the floors down without allowing the boards to acclimate. I took readings of the moisture of the sub floor at the edges of the wall and it ranged from 5 to 16, problem is i cant take it in the middle of the floor unless i rip the floor out. Were looking to replace the floor in an old (unheated) hay barn with treated tongue & Groove 26 flooring and need to know if the advertised 19% MC will be ok and not shrink too much. Perhaps there is something different about the East and West walls. You will want closer to 6% in the drier climates and 9% MC for the more humid climates. For wide-width solid flooring (3 or wider), there should be no more than a 2% difference in moisture content between properly acclimated wood flooring and subflooring materials. About how long do you think we should allow the new wood to acclimate in the end use environment before installing it? In general, 12% moisture or above is too wet to install flooring. The water eventually came out a electric outlet located three inches off the floor. Everyone who works with wood needs to understand how wood interacts with moisture in the environment. It is best to obtain a wood moisture content that will match the environment. Moisture was around 25% when milled, and the ends were sealed. Thank you for the helpful article. Very educational! An MC in this range, therefore, is considered sufficiently dry for exterior in-service wood. Our Orion 950 Smart Pinless Wood Moisture Meter is the best in the industry and trusted by professionals. Knowing were all the piers are, I can stand on top and feel a small hump in the floors. If this is confusing, dont worry. So what to do if you cant find a dedicated moisture meter for bricks, mortar, or stone? A moisture meter is the most reliable way to determine the moisture level. The moisture content of lumber used for framing, exterior construction, and exterior furniture usually ranges from 12-19%. I have 1 1/2 thick cherry boards that I had milled from a tree in my yard last fall. The lumber was recently milled, although the tree had been cut months, years ago. Free Webinar The What, Why, and How of Wood Moisture Testing. Ive been following your in depth blog on moisture meters for around 1 year now. We really cant overstress the importance of taking plenty of moisture readings. As youd might imagine, they have their own pros and cons. Good luck. Once the wood samples weight stops changing, its weight is compared to what it was before the drying process began. The angle iron will prevent much warping, and I do plan on finishing all sides (and ends). So the question is are those burrs or fuzzing on the edges?, Wed love to have you give us a call to discuss which moisture meter is best for you. In all cases, determining the acceptable moisture level of wood requires the use of an extremely accurate moisture meter. In the Midwest, the EMC of wood or lumber in Des Moines, Iowa, ranges from 12.4% to 14.9%. Hi Ron, Great post. Elaine. The maximum subfloor moisture level for solid strip flooring or wide-width solid flooring is either 12% or 13%, depending on the manufacturer. The indoor relative humidity (RH) should be kept below 60%; ideally, between 30% and 50%, if possible. It is also a good idea to use a moisture meter after the three weeks just to make sure. Therefore, a normal moisture meter reading for gypsum in between 0.2% and 1%. If you see condensation or moisture collecting on windows, walls or pipes act quickly to dry the wet surface and reduce the moisture/water source. The interior home conditions are, AC running at 68-70*F. Exterior wall condition 104*F as checked with an IR thermometer of East wall not in the sun. Wagner Meters Orion 950 Smart Pinless Wood Moisture Meter has a built-in EMC calculator. Good moisture content for hardwoods is 6% to 9% moisture. Does it have another common name? I am not familiar with the particular moisture meter the plumber was using, but assuming it is correct, that moisture content is way too high to install new flooring. As far as the oil finish, the manufacturer of the oil will specify the correct moisture content for an application. It is important to have the same temperature and humidity during those 2 weeks that will be maintained after installation. There are several ways to use a moisture meter with a reference scale, such as: From the name, its clear that the wood scale is used for determining moisture content in wood materials. I am shipping teakwood furniture from Indonesia to California. 7. That said, I would be curious what meter you are using to get the 30% reading? our question is do we need to replace the floor to avoid fungal problems? Very simple and understandable. Wood Handbook: Wood as an Engineering Material, https://research.cnr.ncsu.edu/blogs/wpe/files/2016/08/Equilibrium-Moisture-Content-of-Exterior-Wood-in-the-US.pdf, https://www.wagnermeters.com/shop/orion-950-smart/, http://www.csgnetwork.com/emctablecalc.html, https://www.spikevm.com/calculators/logging/equilibrium.php, https://www.wagnermeters.com/shop/orion-910-deep/, https://www.google.com/search?source=hp&ei=j6WRW76_NdmT0PEPkN29kAc&q=wood+moisture+content+and+mold&oq=moisture+content+and+mold&gs_l=psy-ab.1.0.0i22i30l3.8963.15970, Restoration Expert Says Moisture Management Critical to Health of Any House or Building, Correct Moisture Content: Critical to Your Woodworking Projects, Mckinleyville Middle Schoolers Learning about Wood Moisture Content, Ambient Data Loggers: Peace of Mind in a Box for Wood Flooring Installers, 5 Things Not to Do When Measuring Moisture in Wood Flooring, Alabama Wood Crafters Share Wood Woes When Overlooking a Moisture Meter. i used my dremel with a shaping bit about 1/8 in to cut vertical slits or vents about an inch deep and a couple of inches tall into the bottom 24 and have kept a commercial floor blower on the wood several hours a day for more than a week yet, the number is not going down. Which moisture meter are you using, Barb? This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Wood is not supposed to be that damp and therefore if you encounter such high values, you need to start immediately looking for water leaks and other possible moisture sources. 1. in Indonesia there are a lot of raw materials consisting of natural fibers, such as: pandanus, water hyacinth, rattan etc. With regard to mold growing on your furniture, I would have to defer you back to the shipping company as they have more experience dealing with these types of issues. Is this dry enough that Id be able to reinstall the trim over the particleboard? Quite impressive isnt it? Drying equipment removed 3 days ago. Although some movement can be expected between 6% and 9%, wood flooring can shrink or swell more dramatically outside this range. Which Orion moisture meter model would you suggest for my application? I may have missed this already but I have a few quick questions. Thanks. Readings over 20%-25% indicate firewood that is not safe to burn. I have a question, I have moisture in the crawl space, we insulated the crawl with closed cell, cannot get the osb subfloor below. One of his own service guys said foundation caps needed to be replaced. The engineered wood floor appears ok. I know the rule of thumb is 1 year of dry time per inch of thickness of wood. There will most likely be some shrinkage, so if possible, choose the clearest boards possible to lessen the possibility of any major cracking. Moisture meters are highly reliable instruments that measure moisture levels inside substrates and materials and provide accurate readings to within been than 0.1%. After the plywood dried, however, there is still one spot about the size of a baseball that is still reading around 17-20%. It does not store any personal data. I have some black walnut and cherry that Ive milled and want to make some charcuterie, cheese, bread boardsetc with, would the 6 8% dryness apply to this or what would you recommend? Normal moisture meter reading on masonry Masonry refers to the building of structures using stones or bricks and a boundary material such as mortar or concrete. When installing hardwood floors, check the moisture content of the finished hardwood and the wood subfloor. A contractor is measuring sill plates by driving 2 SS Screws into the wood about 1-1/2 or so inches. The moisture reading of the wall is 12.3. I dont know what to believe except the company who installed the vapor and dehumidifier said the vapor barrier needs to be changed out because of all the sewage and drainage stains after the plumbing is fixed. The most common cause is metal hidden in or behind the material being checked. So what do you think is the ideal moisture% I should dry them to before rotary polishing them? Even cores with high moisture meter readings can look and feel dry. . This week, I notice the next pier on the same beam is starting to push up, warping the floor. I checked it with my new moisture meter and had a reading of between 8-13.5%. The subfloor registered from 12% to 17% . In general, a reference scale goes from 0 to 100, where 0 is bone dry and 100 is saturated. Failure to account for temperature variations and a woods chemical makeup will reduce the accuracy of even the best pin-type moisture meters. Wood in buildings usually has a 5% to 15% moisture content. This app will tell you the percent moisture content that a given temperature and humidity will equilibrate to. Oiling the surface does not control the moisture in the wood. Your email address will not be published. For example, if the temperature in the room is around 80 F, and the RH is 50%, then a safe level of moisture in the wall would be about 9.1% MC. Perhaps reach out and contact me directly as your time allows: 1-800-634-9961 ext 212. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Dryer wood produces more resistance than wetter wood. Which do you recommend? House is wood frame. The acceptable moisture content in wood depends on two factors: These two factors make it difficult to say anything specific about acceptable wood moisture content. While relative humidity can have some effect on moisture levels, drywall is considered to have an appropriate level of moisture if it has a moisture content of between 5% and 12%. But be careful here, the values showing on a reference scale do not represent the moisture content of the material under test. Wagner has a free app called WoodH2O to help you determine the proper moisture levels based on consistent humidity and temperature. If the moisture content of the product is well outside the range of optimal MC, the wood flooring should not be accepted because it will lead to shrinkage, bowing, cupping, and other physical problems. A portable soil moisture meter is designed specifically for the purpose of determining the levels of moisture present in compost, vegetation, and soil. There will be statistical outliers on both the low and the high end and youll want to catch these by using a quality moisture meter. This means that when we were talking about the normal readings for drywall, we assumed that your moisture meter was calibrated for drywall and had a specific reading scale for drywall. The new wood was brought in in bundles ~2 x 2 x 6 and left that way to acclimate for ~2 weeks. The flooring pieces should be removed from the packaging to allow the ambient conditions to equalize the wood. Just press the scanning plate against the woods surface, turn on the meter, and receive the reading. This is all very helpful information, thanks! As we have already mentioned on different occasions, all the values that we have discussed so far in this article are for dedicated moisture meters. There are two ways of dealing with this issue: A moisture meter with insulated pins will only release electricity from the tips of the electrodes. We appreciate you writing in, best of luck! This is the first time Im coming to know that there are acceptable moisture levels when it comes to wood and whatnot. Learn how your comment data is processed. The Moisture Meter is a white . They are currently nearing equilibrium (around 12 MC) and are stored within the house. He wants to install his companys system, seal all external openings around connections, etc. we had a problem with our shower curb. Pin meters, on the other hand, are better able to determine the distribution of moisture throughout a material sample from the shell to the core and can be used in materials with curved or uneven surfaces. It comes with Bluetooth, an app for your smart device, an RH sensor, and an EMC calculator. I live on the fl coast so what should the moisture level be? Another issue of these types of meters is their inability to allow the user to fine tune meters settings for wood species. Make sure theyre aligned with the grain and not across it. That doesnt make much sense to me. Things start to get worrying when the meter indicates higher values than 20%. I have an unusual question, if I was to sandwich recycled paper (similar to hardwood floor paper only heavier) between 2 layers of wood as a draft stop what should the moisture content be to avoid the paper absorbing any water and ending up with a mold issue thanks in advance for any info you can provide. We are manufacturer of eng wood flooring. I am planning an under-house excursion tomorrow. Wood will be the most delicate material that we are going to talk about in this article. Hi Larry Thanks for your expertise! I am based in The Netherlands. The acceptable wood moisture content normally ranges from 6% to 8% for woodworkers who build cabinets, fine furniture, musical instruments, dishes, toys, decorative art, boat restoration, or various other wood products. As lumber dries, it may split, cup and warp. Whether youre a woodworker making cabinets, a wood flooring professional installing hardwood floors, or if you use wood in construction, wood moisture content (MC) should be always on your mind. The other was for a $100 retail gift card. Sincerely, Alison. Any opinions. Thank you so much for your time and expertise. In either case, the accuracy of the meter is impacted. The best way to do this is to use an accurate moisture meter. The reading was 22 percent on the meter. These include warping, cracking, buckling, diminished wood strength, corrosion of fasteners, and even fungal growth. Here are some key RH values and the corresponding EMC: The first two values above are fairly typical interior EMC values for most of North Americas heated and air-conditioned offices and homes. Instead, it just means that the moisture content of the material represents 20% of the reference scale. Either one should be acceptable for finishes. In your area, wood that has been in an environment to a duration of time would be between 6-11%. Wood moisture content is always varying. Pinless moisture meters are sensitive to variations in wood density (also known as specific gravity). Readings can be elevated if there is a stud directly behind the sheetrock. Brick Stone Concrete Stucco Tile Mortar Plaster Cement Mudbrick Granite As you can see, masonry can be a mix of many substances and materials. Its hard to gauge anything off of a cheapo meter, but if and I mean if, we were to assume it was reading effectively, the numbers are too high. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Over time, your hardwood floor can become discolored. My thought is maybe to get one of your meter for greater accuracy? The average annual relative humidity will play the biggest role in determining what the optimal MC should be. First time this has happened (splitting that is). Should this reading of 12.3 require replacing the existing dry wall before installing a new shower stall? Here is a bit of information to help you better understand moisture meter readings: Understanding how a moisture meter works is crucial for understanding moisture meter readings and what can affect them. Using a moisture meter before painting can help you determine the moisture content of the wood. Another reason could be that, while not particularly accurate, reference scale moisture testing can provide a quick pass/fail assessment of moisture content. Can carpet be reinstalled? I suggested replacing my dehumidifier (Sears brand, bucket collection) which has been inoperable this past year. When questioned, he said because Room is under 200 sq feet it is not a problem. Less than 1%. The best range of moisture for interior furniture projects is usually 6% to 8% moisture content, with interior softwood millwork tolerating a slightly higher moisture content. Simply pull moisture content (MC) describes the weight of water in a material relative to theweight of that material when bone d . This means that wood intended for interior use in this location should not only be dried to around 6% but should be kept at this moisture content both before and during the manufacturing process. Here is a link to our new line of meters: https://www.wagnermeters.com/moisture-meters/. Cut in the spring and stacked and dried them over the summer. Required fields are marked *. Drywall scales are used to determine the moisture content of construction, home inspection, and water damage restoration industries. Also, please feel free to provide us with the number that you called so we can make sure that all of our phone numbers are printed/posted accurately! Failure to allow the wood to acclimate or come into balance with the RH at its end-use location could result in any number of moisture-related problems after the wood product is constructed. Furniture, cabinets, wood objects, and other woodwork used indoors typically require a wood moisture reading from 6-8%. (The EMC of air is equal to the moisture content the wood will attain when stored indefinitely at a particular humidity level. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Pinless meters are more sensitive to differences in wood density (or specific gravity). No need for higher values here. ( 55 days transit by sea) What should be the moisture content while loading in Containers? Furniture maker Lonnie Bird weighs in, I dont want the wood to shrink after I use it because the wood will warp or split.. Hello Folks, I am new to wood turning and do not have a ready supply of dry/seasoned (my wood is green) wood. Moisture meters include visual LED indicators related to the percent reading on the scale for dry, moderate and saturated or wet readings. You mentioned it was installed just 3 days after it was delivered. The plywood setting is .57. At lower temperatures, the resistance of a material increases. The solution seems to be drying the wood longer & bettter, to a lower measured MC. However, moisture readings in excess of 15% indicate the need for further inspection. However, not all moisture meters have a reading scale optimized for a specific material. The air vents stay closed year round. Should it be less? To determine if your hardwood floors need to be acclimated, you can use a wood floor moisture test. How long will it take to get to the ideal moisture reading and is it better to be stored in a garage or inside a house? Therefore, you need to stay on the lower end of the scale. In most cases, the moisture can be more appropriately imagined as humidity rather than collected water. Home Moisture Meters Acceptable Moisture Levels in Wood Knowing the Moisture Content. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. With pin meters, the standing water on the top of a piece of wood can cause the electrical current to be routed through the water instead of the material being tested. This building was constructed around 1966 and this little space appears very dry, in spite of a recent leak from an nearby hot water tank. We are in Oregon, USA, Pacific Time Zone. My plan is to make a wall-mounted headboard out of angle iron and these boards (boards will not be joined). Generally, wood scales are calibrated to cover a range from 6%-40% moisture content. From agriculture, to lumber manufacturing, to water damage restoration, to construction, there are many applications that rely heavily on moisture testing to produce optimal end results. The acceptable moisture levels of wood and lumber are in the range of 6% to 8% for interior and 9% to 14% for exterior wood or for building envelope components within constructed assemblies. A high-quality moisture meter used on the right material can be accurate to within less than 0.1% of the materials moisture content by weight. However, kiln drying is used to speed up the process. The 50% RH level would be at the higher end of normal interior EMC values. Thanks for any help you can provide! Yes, hardwoods such as cherry and walnut should be between 6 and 8% moisture content. The EMC of wood or lumber exposed to an outdoor atmosphere varies across the U.S. For instance, in the coastal city of Seattle, the EMC of wood or lumber is higher than the EMC of cities inland or in the Southwest. A company sealed off the foundation vents and removed all the insulation from the crawlspace with the humidifier mitigating the moisture from the leaks. Our house in on a crawl space in GA, and its been pretty humid the last couple days which is when it read a little over 20%. Well, one of the most used tools is a moisture meter. If the humidity is a constant 76% then the wood will equilibrate between 14 and 15% moisture content. My meter tells me anything above 12% is wet but I cannot find any source of leaking or signs of water. The cedar I have is now at 12-16%. If youre wondering how wood can have a 200% moisture content, heres how that works. Press and hold the power button to turn on the moisture meter. The truth, however, most moisture meters only have one reading scale that only serves one material (usually wood). Why You Should Use Relative Humidity (RH) Testing, Flooring, Millwork, Furniture & Cabinet Manufacturers, How to Choose a Moisture Measurement System for Your Sawmill Buying Guide, Acceptable Moisture Levels in Wood Knowing the Moisture Content, Free Download 5 Ways Pinless Moisture Meters Save You Time and Money. 12% is good for softwoods, but again, it depends on the relative humidity and temperature where the finished product will be kept. Here is a link to a moisture meter I recommend: https://www.wagnermeters.com/shop/orion-910-deep/. Thanks. Hay scales are popular among farmers and distributors of hay. The best way to manage wood moisture content is to use a quality wood moisture meter and conduct a moisture test.