How to Use a Moisture Meter – Easy Tips to Follow

A Wagner moisture meter is indispensable for professionals and DIY enthusiasts, providing accurate and reliable wood moisture measurements. With IntelliSense™ technology, you can be confident that your moisture meter gets the best performance.

This guide will walk you through the essential steps and considerations for using a Wagner moisture meter, helping you achieve top results and maintain the quality of your wood projects.

• 1. Apply Pressure
• 2. Wipe off Standing Water
• 3. Choose the Right Moisture Meter
• 4. Consider the Subfloor
• 5. Beware of Metal
• 6. Make Sure Your Meter is Calibrated
• 7. Keep Fresh Batteries on Hand
• 8. Don’t Forget Your Manual
• 9. Keep Your Meter Dry
• 10. Consider Your Wood Materials
• 11. Take Multiple Readings

Understanding Moisture Meters and Moisture Content

Before diving into the tips, it’s helpful to understand the basics. Wood moisture meters measure the moisture content (MC) in wood and other materials. This is crucial because excessive moisture can lead to warping, cracking, and even mold growth. Different types of moisture meters exist, including pinless meters and pin type moisture meters.

• Pinless meters use electromagnetic waves to measure the moisture content in wood. They provide a non-invasive way to get readings.
• Pin type moisture meters use metal pins inserted into the wood to measure the electrical resistance between them. The higher the moisture content, the lower the resistance.

Tips How to Use a Moisture Meter Properly

1. Apply Pressure

When using a pinless moisture meter, apply gentle pressure (about three pounds) to ensure good contact with the wood surface. This helps obtain accurate moisture meter readings.

2. Wipe off Standing Water

Surface moisture can lead to inaccurate readings. Wipe off any standing water and allow the surface to dry for at least 60 seconds before taking measurements.

3. Use an Accurate Moisture Meter

Use the proper meter for the job. If you are working strictly with woods less than 1/4″ thick, you will want the Orion^® 920 or if you only use thicker stock the Orion 910 will be the right choice.

For the best of both worlds, the Orion 930 has dual depth measurements for thick and thin stocks. If you require extended data collection capabilities for quality control, the Orion 940 and Orion 950 offers data analysis functions as well with the 950 connecting to Bluetooth^® and containing a built-in temperature/humidity sensor.

The right meter for the job will save you time and potential trouble.

4. Consider the Subfloor

When measuring moisture levels in installed flooring, be aware that the wood moisture meters may pick up moisture from the subfloor. Concrete subfloors tend to give higher readings than wood subfloors.

5. Beware of Metal

Avoid taking measurements near metal objects like nails, staples, or metal studs. Wood moisture meters are sensitive to anything conductive, which can result in inaccurate or false readings.

6. Make Sure Your Meter is Calibrated

Regularly calibrate your moisture meter using the included On-Demand Calibrator (included with Orion pinless moisture meters). This ensures accurate readings and helps maintain the meter’s performance.

7. Keep Fresh Batteries on Hand

Always have fresh batteries available to avoid interruptions during your projects.

8. Don’t Forget Your Manual

Keep the manuals handy. In addition to the operation manual, the Wagner moisture meter comes with another very useful manual that tells you the specific gravities for each wood you deal with. Be sure to check your manual to get the most from your meter. Both manuals fit nicely next to your meter in the protective carrying case.

Free Download – 5 Ways Pinless Moisture Meters Save You Time and Money

9. Keep Your Meter Dry

Ensure the sensing plate of your moisture meter is dry and free of condensation for optimal performance.

10. Consider Your Wood Materials

Don’t forget that your Wagner moisture meter can be used to measure MC levels in plywood and OSB. Use the section in your Species Adjustment Table to set your meter to read these materials.

11. Take Multiple Readings

Take multiple readings, especially on larger pieces or stacks of lumber, to get a comprehensive understanding of the moisture levels. This helps identify any outliers and ensures accurate assessments.

The same principle holds for measuring a stack of lumber. The more pieces you measure, the more confidence you’ll have to make decisions based on the readings you do have. There are often a couple of outliers in a stack of wood that you’ll want to make sure you exclude from your project.

FAQs

Can a Wagner moisture meter be used on non-wood materials?

Yes, a Wagner Orion moisture meter can be used on non-wood materials such as drywall. When using the moisture meter for non-wood materials, you need to ensure the meter is using relative mode.

How often should I calibrate my Wagner moisture meter?

You can calibrate your moisture meter as often as you’d like to. The Orion’s come with a calibration block making it easy to ensure it’s always calibrated.

Why are my moisture meter readings inaccurate?

Inaccurate readings can be caused by several factors, including surface moisture, the presence of metal, an uncalibrated meter, or using the wrong settings for the wood species.

What is equilibrium moisture content (EMC)?

Equilibrium moisture content is the point at which the moisture content of wood is in balance with the surrounding environment’s relative humidity and temperature.

By following these tips, you can ensure accurate moisture readings and achieve optimal results in your woodworking projects. A Wagner moisture meter is a valuable tool for maintaining the quality and longevity of your work.

Ready to optimize your woodworking projects with a Wagner moisture meter? Explore our range of meters and accessories to find the perfect match for your needs. Invest in the best tool for accurate moisture readings today!

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Ron Smith

As Sales Manager for Wagner Meters, Ron has more than 35 years of experience with instrumentation and measurement systems in different industries.  In previous positions, he has served as Regional Sales Manager, Product and Projects Manager, and Sales Manager for manufacturers involved in measurement instrumentation.

Last updated on February 6th, 2025