Damp or moisture meter

bushranger · Veteran Member

Damp or moisture meter

kesa32 · Senior Member

I bought one from jaycar , works ok, uses 2 prong contacts to determine moisture levels

bushranger · Veteran Member

I've just had a look at Jaycar -- there's over 200 listings for "moisture meter". WHich one did you buy?

hako · Guru

Saw some in Aldi the other day - $24.95 from memory.

Good Luck.

Warren-Pat_01 · Guru

Hi Tony,
I'd guess that this is not your first van.
Looks can tell if it has suffered leaks in the past - in cupboards, crack in body panel seals, window & door seals, under the floor, etc.
I had one of those John Guest fittings let go in my Eagle camper - someone in the van's past really "locked" the nuts up TIGHT so it snapped, flooding the floor.

bushranger · Veteran Member

Hey Warren,

Thanks for the reply.

It will be my first van... I am aware of the places you suggested to look but my research tells me that although something may look okay, it maybe not be okay hence my request for info in moisture meters.

Tony

bushranger · Veteran Member

Thanks Hako, I shall check it out.

Desert Dweller · Guru

Use your nose, when we were looking at secondhand caravans, we could smell a strong musty odour in some of them.

Look for algal growth at external panel joints, a sure sign of moisture. The same goes for rust.

We ended up raising our planned budget & buying new.

The market is flooded with trade ins. Wiring hanging out going nowhere & holes bored by DIY previous owners.

Surprisingly dealers are asking not much less than a new caravan. confuse confuse

bushranger · Veteran Member

Thanks for the info DD, particularly re the costs of new and used.

I thought I wanted new but couldn't afford it. Your comments give me food for thought.

Unforseen repairs in used could be a nightmare although I believe there are sometimes problems with new vans too.

mischief · Veteran Member

Hi in my past life i used a damp meter regularly for testing.. Mine for job cost nearly $1000 ..the items for loose change are next to useless,, They give false readings ,and don't confirm anything ,,,,,unless it is soaking wet,,which you will be aware of from smell and visual inspection anyway The stains visible are there for ever, and weather you can EXCEPT them or NOT is the thing ..Eyes wide open with big torch.

kesa32 · Senior Member

bushranger wrote:
I've just had a look at Jaycar -- there's over 200 listings for "moisture meter". WHich one did you buy?

Sorry , lm on the road ( for a couple of months ) atm and the meter is at home ....that being said l didn't think it was anything special , though it did manage to register where some detergent had dripped onto the floor in a kitchen cupboard

Perhaps if you find a van that ticks the boxes for you, you can get a pro to run over it for you as part of a pre purchase inspection ..... worth the piece of mind for you l reckon

Desert Dweller · Guru

bushranger wrote:
Thanks for the info DD, particularly re the costs of new and used.
I thought I wanted new but couldn't afford it. Your comments give me food for thought.
Unforseen repairs in used could be a nightmare although I believe there are sometimes problems with new vans too.

We kept increasing our price range for secondhand caravans looking for a decent one until it reached the point where if we added another $5-7k we could buy a new one.

We got totally sick of looking at other peoples cast offs. Many of them had been ''used & abused''. Some of them smelt like dog kennels, others reeked of stale cigarettes.

Yep, new caravans also have plenty of problems but hopefully they can be ironed out while still under warranty. At least with a new one you know that it hasn't been anywhere.

Rob Driver · Guru

Hi folks,

My brother is a retired building inspector and is very familiar with moisture meters as he used them regularly in his work.
He inspected our home for us and Rob and I were amazed at the moisture that was in some walls due to poor drainage and roof problems that were not actually visible to us at the time.

I have just spoken to him and he says that he used a meter branded Tramex.
According to him this brand is well accepted in the building industry.
He said that the cheap units are not worth buying and the people in his profession were at times subject to the scrutiny of the courts therefore a quality meter was a necessity.

Anyway this is the type his company used.

https://www.instrumentchoice.com.au/instrument-choice/environment-meters/moisture-meters-1/200-1000/mep-moisture-encounter-plus?keyword_k=?device_d=t?campaign_c=1466280136&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIuMbYyeaQ3AIVxxWPCh2yUgx5EAQYASABEgLKTfD_BwE

I hope that link works as I am not familiar with doing this on the internet. I got the link from the information my brother gave me.

I hope this is ok as I am not a technical person.

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Can I ask why ? If thereâs leaks ? Fix them . I find spraying with Glen 20 or whipping down with a little mentholated sprite cleans up moisture . Itâs either leaking from outside , assuming plumbing is ok ? Or condensation from poor ventilation?

bushranger · Veteran Member

Thanks for the reply, er bentaxlebabe. Just did a search for Tramex and wow, they're pretty expensive although I guess if they save thousands they're worth it. However... I am planning on getting an engineer to inspect the van/s on my shortlist so I think, in fact I know I shall be making sure he or she has the required equipment for detecting water ingress. Looking is fine, but if the water hasn't yet damaged internal timbers so the damage is visible, a moisture meter is going to be invaluable.

Thanks to everyone who replied; your information has been fantastic.

Bushranger

mischief · Veteran Member

yes bushranger , they are expensive,,but only if purchasing ,maybe hire /beg /borrow/not STEAL is the way to go.