Humidity measurements

Moisture measurements are a fundamental diagnostic technique that serves as the starting point for repair, injection, and waterproofing work. They are used to assess the moisture conditions of floors, screeds, roofs, and walls. Properly conducted diagnostics allow for the localization of leak sources and the precise selection of appropriate restoration technologies.

The main reasons for using this method:

Technical inspection of substrates prior to the application of resins or insulation, detection of hidden leaks, leak testing of roof surfaces, monitoring of the building’s drying process, and prevention of failures resulting from moisture trapped in building partitions.

Classification of methods by type of measuring equipment:

In building diagnostics, we distinguish four main testing methods:

• Non-destructive surface moisture meters (NDT) – devices that determine the mass moisture content (%MC) in floors using electrical waves, without damaging the surface being tested.
• Dual-depth scanners —meters that enable non-destructive comparison of surface (shallow) and structural (deep) moisture content in vertical walls and plaster.
• Large-area roof scanners – specialized mobile devices (such as the DEC Scanner) for non-invasive inspection of flat roofs. They allow for the inspection of roof surfaces and the detection of any leaks in the roof structure.
• Invasive probes (pin-type and RH) – accessories for measuring deep moisture content in wood (pin method) and for testing relative humidity inside drill holes in concrete (RH probes).

Selection of research parameters and methods

In diagnostic technology, it is crucial to select a device with a scale appropriate for the specific characteristics of the material being tested:

• Quantitative scales: They provide a precise, percentage-based moisture content or carbide method (CM) equivalent for concrete and screeds.
• Reference (comparative) scales: Used on uneven surfaces, walls, and roofs to create moisture maps (often using mobile apps) and to precisely identify dry and wet zones.