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Gale Hawkins (Gale)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 31, 2000 - 5:51 pm: | 
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Here is a link to Paul Davis that covers this subject.
http://www.pdr-usa.net/misc/4-2.htm |
Tom Weems (Tomweems)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 31, 2000 - 4:54 pm: |
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Adjuster Supply in Dallas has the Sonin Rapidtest Moisture Meter for $29.95. I have used them for several years now and the work great. You DO have to know what you are doing, but there is no reason to make a big deal out of this, sports fans. Just another tool in the box. Use it wisely and it's your best friend. |
Chuck Deaton
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 17, 2000 - 2:23 pm: |
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Here is an interesting application for infared thermography
http://www1.minn.net/~infrared/roofs.htm |
Jensen Jim
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 16, 2000 - 7:29 pm: |
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You all should read the Claims Magazine Aug 2000 issue and become savvy to the mold, mildew and mold remediation claims that are becoming more & more evident to our industry. |
Jim Shafrath
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 16, 2000 - 4:16 pm: |
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Just received email from professional equipment, wherein they are ahaving a sale with $20. OFF and item over $50. This comapny sells all kinds of equipment, including moisture meters. There web address is:
www.professionalequipment.com
Phone # 800-334-9291 promotional code EM 101
Web order use this promotional code EM 100
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Jimlakes (Jimlakes)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 08, 2000 - 11:11 pm: |
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Chuck, I know of only two such companies that do "thermographic infrared camera" work. One I use to work for and did a lot of it for FWUA, Nationwide, and Zurich-American. National Insurance Services of Jacksonville, FL is one. The person there is Peter Bookholt Jr. that is the certified thermogafer. He is a great person. The other one is located in NC and I've went "brain dead" and cannot remember their name. To my knownledge I only know of one carrier that uses it, and that is Zurich-American, and they only use it in their risk management division for writing large commercial policies. It not only is used for finding moisture problems, but has many other uses that can be extremely effective in insurance claims verification. It is also extremely accurate and non-disputible.
If you wish to discuss it further you can call me at 630.375.9640.
Jim Lakes
National Catastrophe Director
RAC Adjustments, Inc. |
Chuck (Chuck)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 08, 2000 - 7:28 am: |
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It would help me if some contracters who do the thermographic infrared testing were listed here. Names and addresses would be nice. |
Jim (Jim)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 08, 2000 - 5:22 am: |
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I don't disagree with what Jim Lakes and Tom have said about moisture meters being dangerous in the hands of the unskilled. I have contemplated buying one, but Jim's arguments have been the reason I have held back.
From time to time, I have had insureds demand new drywall for all walls in a room or rooms, saying the contractor had told them there was moisture behind the walls due to ice dams or hurricane (generally).
When the damage is not that obvious, I always suggest removing a small section of drywall to better determine the moisture situation. Advising the insured the the carrier will pay for any investigation of damage, I then will use a drywall saw to remove a section of let's say 12" by 12". The drywall saw is less then 10 Bucks at Home Depot and proves the point much more effectively than a moisture meter. And when there is no water behind the walls, you have saved the carrier a lot more money than the cost of one drywall patch.
I do this rarely, but when I do, it is always effective. The key comes from experience in knowing when to use this technique. |
Tom (Tom)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, August 07, 2000 - 11:13 pm: |
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Jim Lakes is absolutely correct. The PA's or contractors will razzle dazzle some adjusters with a moisture meter. It measures moisture, which is humidity. On the coasts, humidity is always present in the exterior and interior wall cavities, particularly when the owner turns off the A/C in their townhome/condo to save electricity. There usually is mildew present in the outer wall cavities, particularly if the complex has some age on it. If you have doubts about moisture presence, contact the company you represent and suggest thermographic infrared. If you are looking at a small amount of structure, laugh at the PA or contractor and explain to them that their moisture meter is totally useless in humidity laden areas.
Thank you Jim for bringing this up. Another good reason for CADO. Education, education, education. |
Admin (Admin)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, August 07, 2000 - 8:54 pm: |
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This is a test, it will be removed. |
Jim Lakes
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, August 07, 2000 - 7:48 pm: |
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John, moisture meters are like computers. If you truly know how to use it, it can help you a lot. If you don't then it can hurt you.
A lot of PA's use them to their benifit and try to "bedazzle" adjusters that don't know the difference. Example: They go to an exterior wall and say, "see there is moisture in this wall." An adjuster that "knows" his stuff, can automatically tell that this guy is a fraud. Naturally there is more moisture on an exterior wall.
The only true way to determine if there is moisture in a structure as a result a storm or hurricane is to do "thermographic infrared camera." This process will tell you where the moisture is and if it is an on-going problem.
Of course this equipment is way beyond the reach of an adjuster IE: $50,000 to $75,000. However there are companies that do this work and can negate a claim faster than you can say it.
As you can tell I have little faith in a "moisture meter" and believe that they are way overrated by most adjusters and PA's.
If you care to discuss it more, you can reach me at 630.375.9640.
Jim Lakes
National Catastrophe Director
RAC Adjustments, Inc. |
davidgdye
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, August 06, 2000 - 5:03 pm: |
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I own and use (when the need arises) a Drieaz "Moisture Counter". Drieaz makes a number of products.
www.dri-eaz.com
I have found it to be incredibly useful when dealing with PA's or contractors. |
Jim (Jim)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, August 05, 2000 - 8:51 am: |
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John, there are two types of moisture meters available: conductive and diaelectric. The conductive meters uses "pins" or probes that are physically inserted into the building material. The diaelectric do not penetrate the material surface. The conductive meters are generally what the restoration contractors use to measure water presence in carpets while the diaelectric are best suited to measure mositure content in drywall and wall surface materials. They are used by holding the unit (about the size of a laser measuring device) against the wall surface.
A contractor grade moisture meter is going to cost you somewhere between $250.00 to $500.00.
Additionally, there are moisture meters available for measuring moisture in roof membranes, but it seems to me they are best left to the professional roofing consultants.
You can find these at most engineering, architect, or surveying supply companies. By typing in building mositure meters on most of the Internet search engines, you will find several vendors with websites online.
One of the better units is available through a company called Tramex and their website is located at http://www.tramexltd.com
I have been looking at buying one myself, and think it could be especially useful in hurricane and ice dam claims areas.
Hope this helps. |
Johnd (Johnd)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 04, 2000 - 7:42 pm: |
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Please Help. I have been trying to purchase a moisture tester (meter) and have been unable to locate a dealer or vendor for this product. I have tried all the large retailers, (home depot and Lowes) without success. Anyone with any information at all will be welcome. Also any advice on using would be appreciated. |
