Mold, mildew, and rot can grow if it is exposed to moisture for an extended length of time. And when this occurs, using a moisture meter to assess whether the wall can be saved is the best option.

You can use moisture meters to measure the amount of moisture in the wall and get a reading to help you decide what to do next.

Depending on your requirements, these are the best moisture meters for drywall.

2 Types of Moisture Meters 4 2 Types of Moisture Meters 5 2 Types of Moisture Meters 6 BEST MOISTURE METER FOR DRYWALL (Best Combination) 2 Types of Moisture Meters 7 (Best for Professional Use) MOISTURE METER TYPES Pin, pinless, and combination moisture meters are the three most common varieties. What each does and which is ideal for drywall are shown below.

PIN Pin moisture meters have two antenna-like prongs on the top.

The prongs of a pin meter must be inserted into the material being tested. The meter measures electrical resistance after being introduced to detect the moisture content.

Pin moisture meters have been the industry standard for a very long time for wood, however they aren’t the greatest for drywall because they leave tiny holes in the wall.

PINLESS Moisture meters without pins are non-intrusive. You hold them up to the surface you want to inspect rather than poking them into the material.

For drywall and concrete subfloors, pinless moisture meters work best because you don’t need to pierce the material you’re checking. They can also be used to determine the amount of moisture in wood.

The drawback of pinless meters is that they are occasionally less accurate than moisture meters with pins.

COMBINATION For a wider variety of applications, combination moisture meters combine pin and pinless functionality. For DIY enthusiasts and experts who frequently work with a variety of building materials, this kind of moisture meter is appropriate.

TOP FACTORS TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT WHEN SEARCHING FOR MOISTURE METER ACCURACY Normal drywall moisture levels range from 5 to 12 percent. You’ll need to replace your drywall if the moisture content is higher than 17%. As a result, it should come as no surprise that your moisture meter’s accuracy is crucial.

High-end moisture meters have an accuracy of up to 0.001. But high-end frequently comes at a premium price. Fortunately, many inexpensive moisture meters are also fairly precise.

SIMPLICITY Any tool that is difficult to use can result in errors and inaccuracy. Extra features should be simple to utilize even though they are good to have.

Understanding how to use a moisture meter is crucial while looking for one.

QUALITY/DURABILITY If you anticipate often using your moisture meter, durability is crucial. On the other side, you will need to make some quality compromises if you only need something once and don’t want to spend a lot of money.

RANGES OF MEASUREMENTS The minimum and maximum moisture readings a meter can produce are known as the measuring range. The measuring range can change depending on how specialized the tool is.

For drywall, for instance, moisture meters with a range of 50 to 100 percent may not be helpful.

The measurements must take into account the 5–17% range for drywall. Fortunately, the majority of pinless moisture meters have a relative range of 0 to 100%.

ADVANCED FEATURES If you work in construction or perform a lot of home improvement projects, additional features can be crucial.

The capacity to detect moisture in many types of materials, temperature tracking (useful for locating leaks), reading history, and prior reading records are some more characteristics you may discover in drywall moisture meters.

BEST REVIEWS OF DRYWALL MOISTURE METER

General Tools Non-Invasive Moisture Meter

One of the best non-invasive moisture meters for drywall and appropriate for brick, hardwood, and softwood is the General Tools model.

Holding this model up to your drywall will allow you to take deep moisture readings of one inch without needing to drive pins into the wall. It includes precise readings for drywall, softwood, and a range of readings for hardwood.

This model’s ability to find leaks is one of its strongest features. Where moisture is most concentrated, the meter will give visual indications and auditory alerts.

A lighted display is also included.

Multi-Use drywall, hardwood, softwood, and masonry are advantages. Deep, non-intrusive readings can assist you in finding leaks backlit LCD display Simple to use No cons exist. This highly rated, highly functional, and reasonably priced drywall moisture meter has many outstanding features. 2 Types of Moisture Meters 8

Another excellent drywall digital moisture meter with affordable pricing is the Klein Tools ET140. You can’t go wrong with this moisture meter if you only plan to use it occasionally.

Although it is non-invasive, the Klein Tools ET140 can read up to an inch deep. It is appropriate for drywall, masonry, and wood and contains a water leak monitoring feature as well.

Despite the good ratings for this meter, there have been several issues with it, most notably the inconsistent accuracy of the readings for wood and brick.

PROS: Compatible with wood, masonry, and drywall Noninvasive leak detection technology Inexpensive CONS: A few customer complaints concerning incorrect readings for wood and masonry. 2 Types of Moisture Meters 9

3. EXTECH MO260 PIN/PINLESS MOISTURE METER (BEST COMBINATION)

Consider the Extech MO260 if you’re a skilled carpenter, builder, or enthusiastic do-it-yourselfer searching for a fantastic dual moisture meter.

Depending on your demands, you can utilize this meter’s pinless or pin tester thanks to its technological integration. For instance, pinless technology can be used on wood, tile, carpet, and even walls.

Then, you can switch to the pin-type wood moisture meter when you require more precise measurements, say on a specific area of drywall or wood.
If you intend to use this model for many years to come, it even comes with a spare set of replaceable pins.

PROS: Top-notch pin or pinless well suited for drywall, wood, carpet, and other surfaces reversible pins Excellent for carpenters, builders, and DIY enthusiasts CONS: High Pin 0 prices

(BEST FOR PROFESSIONAL USE) PROTIMETER BLD5365 SURVEYMASTER

The Protimer BLD5364 Surveymaster is a professional moisture meter that is reliable, simple to use, and accurate.

This moisture meter with or without a pin measures both above and below the surface of many different kinds of materials. Many insurance adjusters, home inspectors, and contractors all favor this type.

The Protimeter has a flawless 5-star rating on Amazon. The sole drawback of this model is that it is pricey and likely unnecessary for the majority of homeowners.

PROS: Exceptional precision Moisture meter with or without pins Simple to use Excellent for specialists like insurance adjusters and home inspectors CONS: Pricey Pin 1

CONCLUSION If you think your drywall may be damp, get a drywall moisture meter. With the use of these instruments, you can locate leaks and determine whether or not your drywall may be saved.

For the majority of households, the General Tools and Klein pinless meters are excellent economical choices. But if you’re a serious do-it-yourselfer or house expert, a combined moisture meter will probably be useful to you.