Moisture issues can be a drag, especially if you’re just starting out in your new home. Usually, moisture problems are solved with the right foundations and wall treatment with the appropriate drainage system. If you need Auckland moisture testing, then you’ve come to the right place. We have our own specialized tools to test for moisture. Plus, we provide solutions that last a lifetime, not just for a few years.
Moisture testing can be tricky. You can Do-It-Youself (DIY) or hire experts to do it for you. Keep in mind that going down the DIY route may cause more harm than good if you’re not familiar with the task at hand.
These are the things we do during Moisture Testing in Auckland:
- Pre-home-purchase survey home moisture testing,
- Damp basement moisture tests,
- Leaky home building testing, and
- Post flood drying test.
Protect Your Family’s Health and Safety
Building moisture in any home or building is almost always at the top of the list of the most common problems uncovered during home inspections for buyers. Building moisture, especially in the basement and attic, is usually overlooked during home moisture testing. If you have moisture problems in your home, then you need to find an expert in home moisture testing.
Usually after flooding in an area, people tend to think that the surface looks and feels dry; hence, it must be dry. This is so far from the truth. Floodwater tends to get into everything – skirting board, wall cavities, jib, dry carpet, and flooring.
Even though the surfaces look dry and can be dried using dehumidifiers or fans, more often than not, there are moisture problems in these areas.
The truth of the matter is, the real problem is the hidden moisture, which can’t always be visible to the naked eye. Left unchecked, this will cause mold to grown in areas that you can’t see, which will cause damage to your house leaving rotting areas, long term mold, and unpleasant smells in your home. You will need the help of experts to dry your carpet, walls, and cavities.
Mould Testing and Removal
Excessive moisture in your house can lead to inconvenient and unwanted problems such as rotted framing, odors, foundation movement, structural pests, as well as allergy causing molds. In fact, some molds may cause cancer so you need to take this problem seriously.
Mold Moisture Test
Mold tends to grow in areas where it has food and water, which are usually found in buildings. The mold growth reveals the excess home moisture, which may be caused by leaking water pipes, flooding, and other building materials.
Mould Release Toxins Resulting In Health Effects, Including:
- Allergies,
- Asthma and Other Breathing Disorders,
- Eye, Nose, and Sore Throat,
- Skin Problems,
- Fatigue, and
- Headache
Moisture Meter Probe Tests
Moisture probes and no evasive moisture meters are effective for testing inside the building material or structure.
Here are 7 steps to manually check the moisture problem in your house:
1. Carefully check the wall surface.
Look for discoloration in the surface, including yellowing material or rounded brown spots. Also, black discolorations that are often furry will indicate mold and mildew growths. Check also the wall texture for peeling paint, warping, or buckling surfaces.
2. Slightly push on the wall to check how it feels.
Drywall that’s moisture damaged will feel soft and spongy. Meanwhile, wood-sheathed walls might feel a bit solid, even if there’s a moisture problem. You can use a butter knife or screwdriver to scrape across the surface or poke into the wall to reveal damaged wood.
3. Smell-test the wall for moisture.
Wet wall interiors are the favorite environment for mildew and mold to grow. It’s dark and moist, with lots of food available for the fungus. The more moisture there is in your walls, the faster the mold grows, leading to wood rot. Musty smelling walls are sure sign of moisture problem. Get your nose closer to the wall interior by removing the faceplate from a wall outlet, which helps you discover the problem faster.
4. Drill holes into the wall.
You will need to drill two small holes, about 3/16 inches in diameter and about 1 inch apart, into the wall. You can work from the house interior or exterior both methods work. Outside, drill a hole that’s deep enough to pass through the siding without drilling into the exterior wall sheathing. Once inside, drill through the wall, past the vapor barrier and into the insulation.
5. Insert the probes from a probe moisture meter into the bored holes.
Turn the meter on.Then, follow the manufacturer’s instructions and read the moisture content display. You will need to adjust the probes to get a steady reading and accurate results. Take several readings, for instance, 3 readings in 30 minutes.
6. Compare the reading to ideal moisture levels.
Zero moisture is not practical or even realistic. Any wood that’s been used to frame a house should have a certain amount of moisture. Normal readings should measure around 7 to 13 percent moisture. In fact, slightly higher readings may be normal for your house. However,extremely high readings need immediate attention.
7. Fill the test holes if moisture levels are normal inside your wall.
Following the test, if visual and mechanical readings indicate normal moisture levels within your wall, fill the test holes. Then squirt colored or clear silicone caulk into the hole from outside to fill it and make it waterproof. Use wood putty or spackling compound and drywall tape to cover hopes inside the house. However, if your moisture test is positive, you need to tear off the wall sheathing to repair the wall interior, as needed.
You can do these steps yourself in a DIY manner. However, if you want professional Auckland moisture testing for basement flooding in your house or building, call us and we’ll send you a quote right away. We have our own specialized tools to test for moisture and provide solutions that last a lifetime. Book an Auckland moisture testing with us today.
