Water Damage Assessment

What is the Best Measure of Moisture?

Determining the extent of water damage is crucial to ensure the safety and integrity of a property. Professional water damage assessment services employ various techniques to accurately measure moisture levels, ensuring swift and effective mitigation efforts.

Non-Destructive Testing Methods

• Moisture Meters: Detect moisture content in building materials, such as drywall, wood, and concrete, using electrical impedance or radio frequency waves.
• Infrared Cameras: Capture thermal images that reveal temperature differences, indicating areas of moisture accumulation.
• Ultrasonic Leak Detection: Utilizes high-pitched sound waves to identify water leaks in pipes or other concealed locations.

Destructive Testing Methods

• Probing: Inserting a probe into building materials to physically assess moisture levels.
• Core Sampling: Removing a small section of material for laboratory testing to determine moisture content and damage severity.

Moisture Content Measurement

Moisture content is typically expressed as a percentage of the material’s weight. The acceptable moisture level varies depending on the material, but generally, values above 15% indicate significant moisture damage.

Interpreting Results

Qualified water damage assessment professionals interpret moisture readings in conjunction with visual inspections and other observations. They determine the extent of damage, identify potential health hazards, and recommend appropriate remediation measures to restore the property to a safe and habitable condition.