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As I said, the web sight for cleaning supply network does not have this item on the sight, but they do sell it.

As a matter a fact, I stopped there yesterday after I posted and bought several for the newbies in my office. Every adjuster should have one or some type of moisture meter device. It is very handy to pull it out when in doubt.

You should be able to find a distributor in your area.

In my opinion a non penetrating moisture meter is the tool every adjuster should have. While the Wet-Check meter does serve a purpose it is also limited. The Wet-check is actually used to determine moisture in carpet pad. it also can be used to check moisture underneath the baseboard. The problem is that due to the probes the ability to check wall surfaces and vinyl flooring is not possible. I have found the Wet-check to have limited capabilities and is better served as a marketing tool for restoration companies.

On the other hand the non penetrating moisture meter is very effective. The price will range between 200.00 - 300.00 dollars but a good investment in my opinion. The Non Pen. will detect moisture levels in drywall, vinyl, paneling, hardwood etc.. The guage will determine if the  moisture levels exceed 16% which is the industry standard levels for warranting a tear out and replace. I have found this to be very effective when inspecting a water loss and documenting these moisture readings will keep the contractors honest and the Carrier pleased with the efforts.

Posted By Buford Gonzales 03/15/2007 12:28 PM

I need a Moisture meter to determine if a claimant has moisture damage as I am to inept to discern this information by touching the wall.  Can anyone tell me how to by an extremely cheap moisture meter as I am not sure I wish to deploy with this firm.

Hey Buford:

I have considered a moister meter but eventually I did not spend the money to buy one. We handle many water damage claims especially during winter months, and because we inspect many abandoned. To date I have been able to distinguish wet drywall by looking for discoloration, stains, water lines, untapped seams, etc. When I spot any of these signs, I know the wall absorbed water up four feet above the water line. I can make the same judge met regarding water absorption if the stain is on the ceiling. There are times you can feel for wetness but sometimes it is hard to tell between a wall, which may be wet, and one, which is cold as, can be. so I tend to trust my eyes more than my hands. I can say 95% of the time I am right as to the amount of drywall I am replacing (if any). The times I have been wrong the water restoration company or the contractor called me, and I revised my estimate accordingly provided what I hear sounds reasonable. I happen to think most contractors are honest folks.
Our rule of thumb when it comes to buying equipment is does this new piece of equipment help me do my job better and faster? If the answer is yes then the extra money, we will earn many times offsets the expense we would incur. On the other hand, if the answer were no then we (usually Bob) just want another gadget. Remember that in this business you can gadget yourself to death.
One more thing, which I hope you do not take the wrong way. if you cannot distinguish damaged drywall when you see it please do yourself and the insured a favor and gain some knowledge before you attempt to inspect a loss alone. It is not my intent to insult you or to keep you out of the business (I think competition is good because it keeps us on our toes), but you would not ride a motorcycle on the highway in the rain on your first try (at least I hope you would not)

The "wet check" is a good and cheap tool. It can check drywall on a water loss and also a flood or wind to roof which allows interior intrusions. It can be used on contents and every item of a loss and do a fine job. It is used for more than just carpet pad. Trust me. Why spend $200.00 when not needed.

But mostly I use it for daily claims of water escaping a plumbing system. You can insert into drywall at baseboard height, leave no trail of your examination and determine if drying is needed. The wick up water within the walls can not been seen and have left no water marks. When a closer examination is needed, I call the experts in, such as a professional drying company. They can respond within thirty minutes in most cases and use their $200.00 plus tool. And then dry out accordingly. This is acting in good faith to eliminate mold growth.

If expensive tools are needed to evaluate the occurrence, the right expert should be called to operate the tool and provide expert response activity and testimony, if needed.

LOOSEN UP!

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