Finding leaks in your van, this $30 gadget could save you $1000's
DavidC said
01:05 AM Mar 5, 2021
Most of you are probably onto this already, but some may not. I'm talking about moisture level meters.
I knew caravan repairers use them, but I thought the price would be out of the reach of many of us, but I discovered that Bunnings sell a model made by Ozito, and they are only $29.95 and work surprisingly well.
To cut a long story short, my van developed two leaks, each in the rear cabinets above each bunk. I discovered what I thought may have been the source of it, but I wasn't 100% sure. As you'll see in the pics, the only way I could tell if I had plugged up the leak successfully, was to put sheets of folded copy paper into the areas of concern, and check them periodically, to see if they became water damaged.
But not long after doing that, I discovered this meter, now I can probe the areas, and see if the moisture levels are going up or down.
Here in the tropics, during the wet season, the cabinets which I know are okay, have a moisture level of about 8%, so anything over that, is a good sign of a leak. The beautiful thing is, you can keep probing backwards from the damaged area, follow the moisture levels right to the source.
Even if your van is fine, from time to time, you can gently test the paneling, or inside your cupboards, and get on top of any issues, long before they become a problem. Let's face it, none of know what's truly going on behind the paneling, but now you can.
They are so easy to use, even a dum dum like me can use them, because not only do they display the percentage, they have a green, yellow and Red led, green is good, yellow is a concern, and red is a definite problem.
They have a setting for masonry, grout, cement, and also temperature as well, which might be handy finding thermal leaks from the seals of your fridge, or areas your aircondioned air is escaping.
It's a "must have". They would also be valuable if you're buying a caravan, you could do random tests to see if it had leaking issues before you hand over the cash.
PS That curtain had mold on it from the leak, and has been bleached, and is totally fine now, lol.
-- Edited by DavidC on Friday 5th of March 2021 01:23:19 AM
Moderators, I think I may have posted this in the wrong section, my apologies
PeterD said
07:46 AM Mar 5, 2021
David, I think this thread is in the correct forum. Thank you for your heads up.
-- Edited by PeterD on Friday 5th of March 2021 07:48:00 AM
kgarnett said
08:57 AM Mar 5, 2021
I have thought about getting one of those devices, but am concerned about the holes left in the surface under test by pressing the two probes into the surface, particularly if you are probing an area to find the source. It could end up looking very pockmarked.
It would be good for ascertaining the moisture content of rough sawn timber, firewood etc but I would be concerned about using it on a finished or decorative surface. But I have never used one and maybe it would not be as bad as I imagine.
Anyone know ?
Ken
-- Edited by kgarnett on Friday 5th of March 2021 08:58:21 AM
orid said
01:48 PM Mar 5, 2021
Wow I have one of these ,more expensive model ,purchased for when I did my Jarrah Floor , never thought to try it in the van .
I think you may have to use them on raw timber , don't think they will work on vinyl covered timber for example,unless you push through the covered surface, which I suppose would be ok inside cupboards or out of sight .
Great Idea though David , thanks.
Certainly give it a go.
Regards Orid
DavidC said
02:14 PM Mar 5, 2021
It could end up looking very pockmarked
Anyone know ?
Hi Ken, the marks it leaves behind are no bigger than a pinhole, and not even that large actually. The probe tips are very fine, and extremely sharp, (they include a replacement set for when they get blunt). It doesn't need to go in deep to give you a reading.
If it was a concern, just test areas where it wouldn't be noticeable, or even inside your cupboards
kgarnett said
05:54 PM Mar 5, 2021
Hi David,
Thanks for your reply. I was worried that the holes may be quite large. I guess they are cheap enough to try.
Most of you are probably onto this already, but some may not. I'm talking about moisture level meters.
I knew caravan repairers use them, but I thought the price would be out of the reach of many of us, but I discovered that Bunnings sell a model made by Ozito, and they are only $29.95 and work surprisingly well.
To cut a long story short, my van developed two leaks, each in the rear cabinets above each bunk. I discovered what I thought may have been the source of it, but I wasn't 100% sure. As you'll see in the pics, the only way I could tell if I had plugged up the leak successfully, was to put sheets of folded copy paper into the areas of concern, and check them periodically, to see if they became water damaged.
But not long after doing that, I discovered this meter, now I can probe the areas, and see if the moisture levels are going up or down.
Here in the tropics, during the wet season, the cabinets which I know are okay, have a moisture level of about 8%, so anything over that, is a good sign of a leak. The beautiful thing is, you can keep probing backwards from the damaged area, follow the moisture levels right to the source.
Even if your van is fine, from time to time, you can gently test the paneling, or inside your cupboards, and get on top of any issues, long before they become a problem. Let's face it, none of know what's truly going on behind the paneling, but now you can.
They are so easy to use, even a dum dum like me can use them, because not only do they display the percentage, they have a green, yellow and Red led, green is good, yellow is a concern, and red is a definite problem.
They have a setting for masonry, grout, cement, and also temperature as well, which might be handy finding thermal leaks from the seals of your fridge, or areas your aircondioned air is escaping.
It's a "must have". They would also be valuable if you're buying a caravan, you could do random tests to see if it had leaking issues before you hand over the cash.
PS That curtain had mold on it from the leak, and has been bleached, and is totally fine now, lol.
-- Edited by DavidC on Friday 5th of March 2021 01:23:19 AM
David, I think this thread is in the correct forum. Thank you for your heads up.
-- Edited by PeterD on Friday 5th of March 2021 07:48:00 AM
I have thought about getting one of those devices, but am concerned about the holes left in the surface under test by pressing the two probes into the surface, particularly if you are probing an area to find the source. It could end up looking very pockmarked.
It would be good for ascertaining the moisture content of rough sawn timber, firewood etc but I would be concerned about using it on a finished or decorative surface.
But I have never used one and maybe it would not be as bad as I imagine.
Anyone know ?
Ken
-- Edited by kgarnett on Friday 5th of March 2021 08:58:21 AM
I think you may have to use them on raw timber , don't think they will work on vinyl covered timber for example,unless you push through the covered surface, which I suppose would be ok inside cupboards or out of sight .
Great Idea though David , thanks.
Certainly give it a go.
Regards Orid
It could end up looking very pockmarked
Anyone know ?
Hi Ken, the marks it leaves behind are no bigger than a pinhole, and not even that large actually. The probe tips are very fine, and extremely sharp, (they include a replacement set for when they get blunt). It doesn't need to go in deep to give you a reading.
If it was a concern, just test areas where it wouldn't be noticeable, or even inside your cupboards
Thanks for your reply. I was worried that the holes may be quite large. I guess they are cheap enough to try.
Ken