How to Find and Use Professional Pin Moisture Meters In Your Industry

What Difference Does Professional Quality Make?

DIY-ers might be satisfied with basic moisture meters because they’re just working on their projects for fun, or they only need basic-level functionality from their builds and precision of performance isn’t as big of a concern. But professionals have a lot more riding on their moisture testing. Inaccurate meters can cause them to make mistakes that’ll lose them customers.

That’s why experts need moisture meters they can count on.

Master artists rely on quality materials and professional chefs rely on quality ingredients. In the same way, construction, flooring, or woodworking experts need reliable moisture measurement from high-end meters. That way, they can be confident that their work is meeting industry standards of quality, precision, performance, and efficiency.

• Quality:

  Pro quality meters will be made of high-quality materials that are known to provide the durability and functionality needed for professional environments. Just as it’s better to buy sketch markers that don’t dry up fast, or a food processor that won’t wear out after a few months of heavy use, it’s important to find a meter that’ll stand the test of time. It’s a smart investment, and it’ll be way less hassle than buying cheap, inaccurate meters that break, perform inconsistently, or keep needing recalibration.

• Precision:

  High-end wood moisture meters mean precise measurements between at least 6-25% moisture content (MC).

  Moisture meters can’t take accurate readings above 30% MC because that’s wood’s fiber saturation point, or the point at which most wood species reach the max of how much bound water they can hold. And that’s more than enough of a measurement range when you consider that most project requirements call for wood to be at least below 19% MC to ensure their wood isn’t in danger of growing or harboring mold.

  For indoor projects, being able to measure on the lower end of the spectrum will matter more as flooring and indoor furniture need to be at 6-8% MC or lower.
  They will have features in place to help resolve anything that could throw off moisture readings (temperature, surface moisture, wood species differences, or calibration disruption due to meter damage).

  The repeatability and accuracy of these meters will reduce mistakes that lead to client callbacks, all while helping you meet industry standards.

• Credibility:

  Many have special features (like calibration references) to help establish verifiable accuracy, credibility, and data-consistency.

  This will help you uphold your reputation for quality work and provide legal defensibility should clients ever question your work.

• Efficiency:

  They will also account for your workflow. They’ll be able to take readings quickly.

  And they’ll come with features to promote ease of use (like the hold function that holds your reading on the screen to make manual record-keeping easier).

Let’s dig a bit deeper into what makes professional pin meters stand apart from your average meter by looking at how they help experts in various industries.

How Are Professional Pin Meters Used in Different Industries?

Pro quality pin meters allow experts to rely on their moisture content data so they can make informed decisions in each project.

Woodworking

Woodworkers need high-quality pin meters to get an accurate understanding of their wood’s moisture content to avoid warping, moisture damage, and customer callbacks. Here are some characteristics of pin moisture meters designed for professional use:

• Compatible with hammer probes, which assist in capturing the moisture gradient deeper into the wood (or varying moisture levels throughout a slab of wood). This helps woodworkers understand that even if the surface of the wood might seem dry enough, it could still contain hidden moisture deeper inside. Hammer probes extend the reach of the meter’s pins, making it easier to measure deeper where more of wood’s moisture may be located.

  Hammer probes also usually come with insulated pins. Wood surface moisture throws off average meters that use regular pins, but insulated pins keep wood surface moisture from messing up the meter’s readings.

• Allow for species and temperature corrections, which are crucial when you consider how temperature changes and different wood species’ makeups can throw off readings. This is very helpful for woodworkers who work with a variety of different species.

• More useful measuring range (normally around 6-25 or 30% MC). Being able to measure on the lower end of the scale is important for woodworkers who are making furniture or indoor projects that need to be at a lower moisture content. Cheaper pin meters tend to be less accurate at the lower end of the measurement range.

Using reliable, accurate pin-style wood moisture meters protects your materials and your work. They also help keep woodworking businesses from wasting time, money, and resources on failed projects.

Flooring

Professional pin meters help flooring installers make sure they’re meeting manufacturer requirements. In turn, this helps them ensure the quality of their flooring installations and have moisture reading documentation if warranty disputes arise, should the floor fail in the future.

As mentioned earlier, expert pin meters can accurately measure down to 6% MC, which is perfect for flooring as most hardwood flooring manufacturers require an MC of 6-9%.¹ Cheaper meters may not be able to accurately measure this low.

Many pro meters also allow for calibration verification to ensure its readings are correct. This will reduce the chances of missing moisture issues, which will subsequently help you avoid moisture damage and callbacks from disgruntled customers.

Construction

Construction workers rely on the durability of professional pin meters.

Meters that are ideal for a construction environment tend to be lightweight but sturdy, and come with added protection like a carrying case or a pin cap. These features protect both you and the meter in case it gets dropped or knocked to the floor, or in case something falls on them.

They also have durable pins that are well-suited for measuring the thick and rough wood framing construction workers need to measure.

Home Inspection & Restoration

It’s easier for inspectors and restoration specialists to take moisture readings with a professional meter than an average one.

For one, high-end pin meters take quick readings. They also tend to have bright LCD screens that are easy to read, even if workers find themselves in a dim attic, basement, or crawlspace.

There are several pro-level features that help with this.

The “Hold” function keeps moisture readings on the screen until you have a chance to document them. This is especially helpful for taking manual records.

Though some inspectors and restoration specialists may prefer to use pinless wood moisture meters (because pinless moisture meters don’t leave pinholes behind), a fair share of experts put their trust in pin-type versions. This is especially true if they are measuring wood that pin meters are better suited for, such as rough or uneven wood, or if there’s only a narrow space available for taking a measurement.

How to Identify a Professional Meter

There are lots of moisture meters out there, so it’s not always easy to tell which wood moisture meters are truly the best buy.

A quick Google search will yield pages upon pages of manufacturers, all telling you why you should pick their meter. On the surface, all their promises sound pretty good. So how do you know which ones are pro quality and which ones aren’t?

Fortunately, as more experienced moisture meter users know, there are some easy ways to tell the difference.

There are some qualities all professional digital moisture meters have in common. (Learn more about them in the Bessemeter guide, “Secrets to Finding the Best Pin Meters on the Market.”)

And take a careful look at customer reviews to see how the meters are holding up in real life situations, and to note any patterns of complaints or recommendations.

Lastly, let’s sum up the special features that are almost always exclusive to higher-end meters.

Professional pin meters:

• Come from a reputable company
• Are compatible with hammer slide probes
• Comes with protective features (like a carrying case, pin cap covers, etc.)
• Are made with quality, durable materials
• Allow adjustments for different wood species
• Allow temperature adjustments
• Measure between 6–25% or 30% MC
• Feature an LCD display
• Include a calibration verification reference: This helps you check the calibration of your meter, enabling you to verify the accuracy of your readings (or showing you when it’s time to send your meter back to its manufacturer for recalibration).

Some high-quality meters may not have all of these features, but this list gives you an idea of what you should be able to expect from them.

Where To Find Your Pin Meter

No matter what field you’re in, a high-quality pin-style wood moisture meter can help you improve the quality, precision, efficiency, and credibility of your projects.

Looking for a professional pin meter for your business?

Bessemeter’s PT83 Pin Moisture Meter is an excellent option. Customers have found them to be well-made, accurate, and easy to use. They:

• Can get quick and accurate moisture readings
• Have an LCD Display
• Are lightweight and durable
• Come with replaceable, durable 5/16” pins
• Have protective pin caps
• Offer a Hold function
• Can adjust for wood species
• Can adjust for temperature
• Can measure moisture content from 6-25% or 30% MC
• Offer calibration references
• Are compatible with a slide hammer probe to help you measure deeper into the wood

1. “How to Measure Moisture in Hardwood Floors,” Moisture Meter Experts. [↑]