Damp Meter Recommendations

[Lola Crossley]

As per title.
Would be grateful for any suggestions, also whether the pinless type are any better than non - pin.
Only really need one for use in the van and don't mind spending to get a decent one.
Many thanks.

 

[DJL220]

Hi Lola
I have tried a few over the years since buying motorhomes with varying results. In the end I brought a surveyor one which cost a lot, however helped me not buy a few MH’s due to finding dampness! So in a roundabout way saved me money and effort.

This is my current model £430. Pin and pinless.

Protimeter BLD5365 Survey Master 2 Dual Mode Surface and Sub Surface Moisture/damp Meter​

Protimeter BLD5365 Survey Master 2 Dual Mode Surface and Sub Surface Moisture/damp Meter, at D&M Tools

Protimeter BLD5365 Survey Master 2 Dual Mode Surface and Sub Surface Moisture/damp Meter, at D&M Tools.

www.dm-tools.co.uk

Previous non-pin damp meter was Extech M057 around £50 which was ok, however when placed over metal framing would report 99.99% i.e damp.

The pin version I had was pretty good for around £20, just left pin marks if you pushed a little too much. Brennestuhl moisture detector MD. Always worth pulling back rubber seals around windows/doors etc so pin marks can’t be seen.

Really depends on how much you want to spend on checking for dampness, it gives me peace of mind knowing I can check my MH a few times a year now.
Regards
Darren

 

[MisterB]

Hi Lola
I have tried a few over the years since buying motorhomes with varying results. In the end I brought a surveyor one which cost a lot, however helped me not buy a few MH’s due to finding dampness! So in a roundabout way saved me money and effort.

This is my current model £430. Pin and pinless.

Protimeter BLD5365 Survey Master 2 Dual Mode Surface and Sub Surface Moisture/damp Meter​

Protimeter BLD5365 Survey Master 2 Dual Mode Surface and Sub Surface Moisture/damp Meter, at D&M Tools

Protimeter BLD5365 Survey Master 2 Dual Mode Surface and Sub Surface Moisture/damp Meter, at D&M Tools.

www.dm-tools.co.uk

Previous non-pin damp meter was Extech M057 around £50 which was ok, however when placed over metal framing would report 99.99% i.e damp.

The pin version I had was pretty good for around £20, just left pin marks if you pushed a little too much. Brennestuhl moisture detector MD. Always worth pulling back rubber seals around windows/doors etc so pin marks can’t be seen.

Really depends on how much you want to spend on checking for dampness, it gives me peace of mind knowing I can check my MH a few times a year now.
Regards
Darren

That damp meter seems to be the most important item you should carry with you when you attend rally's .....

 

[Lola Crossley]

DJL220 Many thanks for options at both end of price range, much appreciated.

 

[Pausim]

The pin type ones only work properly if you push the pins right into the material being tested, otherwise you are just getting a surface moisture reading which may just be a bit of condensation. They were originally designed for testing wood and masonry water content. If you don’t want to destroy your motorhome finishes buy a pinless one.

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[FrankNicklin]

Don't buy a pin type. If you are looking to buy a MH then the seller will not be impressed you turning their MH in to a teabag. They require significant pressure on the pins to go below the surface, the holes left are bigger than pin holes.

 

[Bleau’s]

Another yes for protimeter used them all the time whilst in the trade

 

[Fatboy]

Hi Lola
I have tried a few over the years since buying motorhomes with varying results. In the end I brought a surveyor one which cost a lot, however helped me not buy a few MH’s due to finding dampness! So in a roundabout way saved me money and effort.

This is my current model £430. Pin and pinless.

Protimeter BLD5365 Survey Master 2 Dual Mode Surface and Sub Surface Moisture/damp Meter​

Protimeter BLD5365 Survey Master 2 Dual Mode Surface and Sub Surface Moisture/damp Meter, at D&M Tools

Protimeter BLD5365 Survey Master 2 Dual Mode Surface and Sub Surface Moisture/damp Meter, at D&M Tools.

www.dm-tools.co.uk

Previous non-pin damp meter was Extech M057 around £50 which was ok, however when placed over metal framing would report 99.99% i.e damp.

The pin version I had was pretty good for around £20, just left pin marks if you pushed a little too much. Brennestuhl moisture detector MD. Always worth pulling back rubber seals around windows/doors etc so pin marks can’t be seen.

Really depends on how much you want to spend on checking for dampness, it gives me peace of mind knowing I can check my MH a few times a year now.
Regards
Darren

I have an Extech 0257 pinless which was around £150, I thought they all picked up metal and gave bad readings, does the Survey master know the difference or does it show up as something else. If it can tell wood and metal apart, i'll order one.

 

[DJL220]

I have an Extech 0257 pinless which was around £150, I thought they all picked up metal and gave bad readings, does the Survey master know the difference or does it show up as something else. If it can tell wood and metal apart, i'll order one.

Well as they say everyday is a school day! I never did back to back readings with the survey master and I did change MH’s to an aluminium based outer shell. This doesn’t read high on the survey master.

Looking on the website you are correct: -
Thanks for pointing this out

 

[herald_400rl]

If you poke it and finger goes through its very damp.

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[Fatboy]

Well as they say everyday is a school day! I never did back to back readings with the survey master and I did change MH’s to an aluminium based outer shell. This doesn’t read high on the survey master.

Looking on the website you are correct: -
Thanks for pointing this out

View attachment 846336

I find myself in the unfortunate position of having very high damp readings in my 12-month-old Swift Kontiki, fortunately it's going back to the factory for repair. When it returns, I will be monitoring it very close to make sure it's fixed.

 

[AdrianChen]

I have an Extech 0257 pinless which was around £150, I thought they all picked up metal and gave bad readings, does the Survey master know the difference or does it show up as something else. If it can tell wood and metal apart, i'll order one.

My very old Sovereign meter is the same - when doing boat hulls had to be careful to check what the structure might be when getting some readings but pins were a nono on someone elses pride and joy! The meter still works but hasn't been calibrated in years now.....

 

[Howard B]

Our dealer uses a pin type one. They reckon they can get too many false readings with pinless ones.

 

[DJL220]

If you poke it and finger goes through its very damp.

Yep had that previously on last MH