Mould and Water Damage Inspections | Investigation

The Protimeter MMS2 is the industry’s most advanced all in one moisture meter. Its ergonomic, 4 in 1 design allows one handed operation to measure moisture on and below the surface as well as ambient air humidity. With an infrared thermometer to calculate the difference between dew point and surface temperature, we use this meter to assess moisture in both new and remedial projects, as well as to diagnose moisture related problems in existing buildings.

Plus Moisture Meter has been optimised for use in the timber industry. It can be used to check moisture levels in a variety of wooden products.

The Moisture Encounter ME5 enables non – invasive moisture measurement and detection in a wide range of building materials. The instrument operates on the principle that the electrical impedance of a material varies in proportion to its moisture content.

To measure/detec t moisture, the two co – planar conductive rubber electrodes mounted on the base of the instrument case are lightly pressed onto the wood or material sample. The instrument measures the electrical impedance of the sample by creating a low frequency alternati ng electric field between the electrodes. This field penetrates the material under test to a depth of approximately 30mm (1 1/4 inches), or 10 mm (0.4 inches) in Shallow Depth mode. The very small alternating current flowing through the field is inversely proportional to the impedance of the material. The instrument detects this current, determines its amplitude and, after processing, drives the pointer of the moving coil meter to the computed moisture value.

The MRH III utilises electronic technology and is an accurate and easy to use non – invasive instrument for the non – destructive measurement and tracing of moisture in a wide range of building materials.

By inserting the plug – in electrodes for wood and selecting Pin Probe we use the instrument in Pin Probe (wood pin – meter resistance measurement) Mode. This enables the MRH III to measure the percentage moisture content (MC%) of wood and give an indication of the moisture content of wood based products.

By inserting the plug – in Hygro – i2 probe, the instrument automatically changes to hygrometer mode. This enables the MRH III to measure relative humidity (RH), temperature, dew – point temperature and mixing ratio of the environment or equilibrium relative humidity in a structural material. A structural material such as a concrete slab can be tested using the in – situ method as per ASTM F2170 and the in – situ and hood methods as per British Standards BS 8201, 8203, 5325.

The Tramex Concrete Moisture Encounter X5 – CMEX5 is a non – destructive digital concrete moisture meter for measuring quantitative moisture content in concrete floors and slabs. The CMEX5 also has a Relative Humidity Meter function as it features a built – in Hyg rometer that measures Ambient Relative Humidity, Temperature, Dew Point, and Humidity Ratio (or Mixing Ratio) of the environment. A bayonet plug – in port allows for optional wood pin probes or Tramex Hygro – i2 Relative Humidity Sensors for measuring relative humidity in concrete as per ASTM F2170.

The CMEX5 concrete moisture meter determines instant and precise quantitative measurement of moisture content using Gravimetric testing as a baseline. This concrete moisture meter tests the concrete to a depth of ap proximately 20mm (3⁄4″) into the slab. The CMEX5 also provides quantitative Carbide Method equivalent readings for Concrete and Anhydrite/Gypsum substrates and screeds. In addition, the CMEX5 has two reference scales for comparative readings making this mo isture meter suitable to perform a concrete moisture test as per ASTM F2659.

We use the FLIR i7 to find moisture damage by utilising 19,600 temperature measurements captured and stored in each thermal image. FLIR’s outstanding thermal accuracy (+/ – 2% or 2°C) and broad measurement range ( – 20°C to 250°C) produce excellent, reliable results. Thermal imaging is an effective method for finding problems or potential problems when diagnosing moisture damage, especially when used in conjunction with other diagnosis equipment.

We use the DeFelsko Positector 200 Coating Thickness Instrument during our investigation s to check the dry film thickness of waterproofing membranes .

The PosiTector 200 probe emits a high frequency sound pulse that travels into the membrane coating via a coupling gel and reflects from any surface that is different in density. Coating thickness readings are obtained by measuring the time taken for the ultrasonic signa l to propagate from the probe to the coating/substrate interface and back.

The instrument we use has a range in measurement capacity of 50 to 3800 microns and an accuracy in measurement of +/ – 2 microns + 3% of reading. The accuracy of the instrument is ve rified prior to recording measurements using the supplied certified polymer block.

The Leica DISTO D2 is a 7 measurement mode laser distance meter with an accuracy at 1.5mm and a range of 100m. We use the D2 for multiple modes of measurement that are useful for many different kinds of projects: distance, min/max, permanent, stake – out, add/subtract, area, and volume, and it includes painter and Pythagoras functions.

The D2 also calculates area and volume, and remembers the last 10 measurements taken. And a back – lit LCD screen makes it easy to read while you’re on the job.

The Zefon Bio – Pump Plus is a small, light and easy to use portable, battery – powered IAQ pump designed for use with Air – O – Cell® and Via – Cell® cassettes.

We use the Bio – Pump Plus to take a measured amount of air over a measured time period to give a total volume. The air is pulled through the cassette and particulate is captured on a gel slide held within. The Cassette/s are then sent to a Microbiology Laboratory for Microscopy analysis.

The Bio – Pump is calibrated and checked to ensure the pull rate is 15L/min.

The Buck BioSlide Model B1020 Sampling Pump is a compact, lightweight 10 – 20 LPM controlled flow sampling pump for bioaerosol sampling with grease slides. We use it to perform time programmed (1, 2, 5, or 10 minute) samples, perform easy calibrations without tools, or perform manual timed sampling at the touch of a button.

We use the BUCK BioSlide to take a measured amount of air over a measured time period to give a total volume. Air is pulled through the machined wedge and particulate is impacted and captured on the gel pl ate. The slides are then sent to a Microbiology Laboratoru for Microscopy analysis.

The BUCK BioSlide is calibrated and checked to ensure the pull rate is 15L/min.