In the world of material testing, moisture content is different things to different people.However, there is a common concern. What do you recommend the reader to be at before insulation and drywall on new construction? I had a quick looked around the crawl space and didn’t notice any structure damage. Water is found in all food products. Many of our customers are successfully using our hand held moisture meters on engineered flooring. However, the wood species and the thickness or size of the wood may also factor in. You will want closer to 6% in the drier climates and 9% MC for the more humid climates. You mentioned it was installed just 3 days after it was delivered. The average RH of the environment where the wood will be used. I have seen home built in the dead of winter, covered in snow, and still dry out enough for a successful home build. This will be today's focus. When the complexity of that task becomes apparent, we are tempted to question whether we care. Is this accurate? Even a slight deviation from a defined standard can adversely impact the physical properties of a food material. You should be ok as long as the moisture content does not get worse (higher). To make sure the wood is properly dried, he always uses a moisture meter before working with it. Again, the correct moisture content will depend on the surrounding conditions. Thanks. I have seen that 13.5% is high for furniture and you should aim below 12%. The house was not in the flood area however they did receive 20 inches of rain. Hug the ones you love when you see them! However, if the moisture increases beyond a certain limit, compacting strength starts to decrease. A dehumidifier in the crawlspace will help but can be expensive. If the wood would really arrive with a MC of 14%, we would not have any problems. This can be a problem once installed in furniture or a floor. But the table will be inside? The acceptable moisture content in wood depends on two factors: These two factors make it difficult to say anything specific about acceptable wood moisture content. Bound Moisture, I built the tables in west Texas, but their final home is in Colorado. Many thanks for your advice, really appreciate it! the curb is built with 3 2/4’s stacked on each other. Let’s make sure you know the definitions: Larry Loffer is a senior technician at Wagner Meters, where he has over 30 years of experience in wood moisture measurement. Before we start to explain how to measure it, we’ll try to explain what is wood moisture content and what values are you searching when you measure it. We had boards that were also cracking/splitting and other places where small pinholes were showing up. Moisture in coal varies from the point where it is received to the point where it enters the boiler. With a degree in Computer Systems, Larry is involved in both hardware and software development of wood moisture measurement solutions. in its initial green state, and ended up weighing only 20 lbs. Now would the pine be okay to use as a top cover piece to an radiator cover? Most folks agree that water doesn’t burn, not unless you break H2O down into H and O, both of which are highly flammable, and that doesn’t happen in your stove or furnace. Commonly used moisture analysis technologies are the moisture analyzer and the … As the moisture content of firewood increases above 20% it gets progressively harder to burn effectively in a fire. I also applied Boracare (boron) that has stopped minor beetle damage. Best, This method uses the oven-dry method and then compares the results to those obtained using a moisture meter. For more information, see our article comparing Pinless Moisture Meters vs. Pin Meters. We have had very bad cracking in sheetrock and floors. I live in coastal South Carolina .we are definitely afraid of mold formation. When determining the acceptable moisture levels in wood flooring before installation, the NWFA states that the flooring professional should establish a baseline for acclimation. He says hay moisture can be very variable in an uneven or wet crop or if it has not been handled well. It does the same for wood, and is especially hard on softwoods, such as pine or fir. Water Activity, Question: Just to make sure that you get accurate moisture measurements, has your moisture meter been checked for calibration? Therefore, in order to avoid post-construction problems, a woodworker building a cabinet for this particular interior environment would need to dry his wood to a moisture content of 8- 9% beforehand and then keep it that dry during the construction process. Then placing his pin meter on the screws. I have a question. I had a water leak under my crawl space which has 3 inches of foam insulation applied to the underside of the sub floor. i used my dremel with a shaping bit about 1/8 in to cut vertical slits or vents about an inch deep and a couple of inches tall into the bottom 2×4 and have kept a commercial floor blower on the wood several hours a day for more than a week yet, the number is not going down. How long will it take to get to the ideal moisture reading and is it better to be stored in a garage or inside a house? CSC Scientific Company, Inc2799-C Merrilee DriveFairfax VA, 22031800-621-4778703-280-5142 (fax)csc@cscscientific.comNo part of this page or any other page in this site may be copied or reproduced in any way. As the humidity increases, the MC increases, causing the wood to expand. We have had on/off rain and humidity 80-90% range. The thinner veneers won’t have much bearing on the reading. Here is a link to a moisture meter I recommend: https://www.wagnermeters.com/shop/orion-910-deep/. You must be careful with a thick slab once you cut it. I have removed the 1 3/4” edge and resawn to take out the splinter (1/4”) re bicuited . Last week, as I was reflecting on a recent moisture content problem, I recalled our series “Loss-on Drying and Other Moisture Mysteries.” In that series I examined moisture chemistry in products. The determination of maximum dry density and optimum moisture content of the soil is a measure of compaction level of soils. Wonder if they are trying to cover themselves. Free Moisture, We haven’t gone any further since the condition was found so close to us purchasing the home. I wanted to talk to someone at Wagner about moisture guages and is there a dealer near Chattanooga, TN. The EMC (equilibrium moisture content) of the location where the wood is at the moment or the location of where the wood is going to be used = the MC that the wood will eventually attain if it’s placed in that location. (He didn’t cite a figure.) A company sealed off the foundation vents and removed all the insulation from the crawlspace with the humidifier mitigating the moisture from the leaks. 2. Based on common guidelines or recommendations, the acceptable moisture levels for wood are as follows: Keep in mind that a wood’s acceptable moisture level will depend primarily on how it will be finally used and the average RH where it will be finally used. This is all very helpful information, thanks! I don’t know what to believe except the company who installed the vapor and dehumidifier said the vapor barrier needs to be changed out because of all the sewage and drainage stains after the plumbing is fixed. However, the ideal humidity range in some climates may be higher or lower. Perhaps try to seal the vapor barrier better around the piers. We have started to import teak outdoor furniture from Indonesia into Europe. Here current humidity is 76%. The moisture content of a piece of timber is something many of us take for granted. I am from Bangladesh. If any of these conditions occur, tell your installer right away. That’s why I think the wood is either not dried to 14%, or it has picked up too much humidity after drying. The moisture content of a seed will equilibrate with the relative humidity of the air surrounding it. that moisture levels, measurement precision and absolute moisture amounts are moving targets. Thank you for your very informative knowledge about all of the items on this page. Moisture Analysis, Most types of wood species will mold above 25% moisture content, including pine. To avoid this problem, wood flooring should never be stored where environmental conditions are uncontrolled, such as garages and exterior patios. It could also be health and safety or a unique measure of final quality. Is this dry enough that I’d be able to reinstall the trim over the particleboard? My experience with checking for moisture in numerous materials and in different environments makes me conclude that moisture levels, measurement precision and absolute moisture amounts are moving targets. Would the screws skew the measurements? However, the company who maintains the dehumidifier said he tested some of the joist which he said only registered 10 on his device. Hello, Paul here. Because pinless meters scan the wood’s surface and cover a larger area than pin-type meters, they provide a more thorough picture of the wood’s moisture content. I get some water seepage through an exterior wall at basement floor level as a result of heavy rain. I am planning an under-house excursion tomorrow. My house was built in 1927. That doesn’t make much sense to me. Here is a link to our website for more information: https://www.wagnermeters.com/shop/orion-950-smart/. The air vents stay closed year round. Thanks for the question. About 5/16 penetration into the wood measures 8% using pins only. If the humidity is a constant 76% then the wood will equilibrate between 14 and 15% moisture content. A separate reference scale setting can be used for getting qualitative readings of moisture in other wall materials (like plaster). Generally, H2O content is difficult to measure because of the complex intermolecular bonding properties within the substance matrix. We are manufacturer of eng wood flooring. Make sure they’re aligned with the grain and not across it. Water content is used in a wide range of scientific and technical areas, and is expressed as a ratio, which can range from 0 (completely dry) to the value of the materials' porosity at saturation. Your email address will not be published. This is the standard in the construction industry. RH where they were built is about 29-30%. Moisture content of 11.5% for the oak is a little high for furniture grade hardwoods. It can be given on a volumetric or mass (gravimetric) basis. Do you see any dangers of using poly with a MC of around 12, or am I risking adhesion failure – especially if the wood does end up shrinking dimensionally? this is an interesting read I landed upon as I was searching for MC in wood items. Stop! i am baffled. These are slabs roughly 2′ thick. What humidity content should cedar be at for proper gluing. If a wooden sample has moisture content range of 2-6% only and if it has moisture content of 9 or 10% then what does this mean?? Moisture content can affect the physical and chemical properties of food, which directly correlate to the freshness and stability of … 17 and the flooring is at 6 to 7. My plan is to make a wall-mounted headboard out of angle iron and these boards (boards will not be joined). Page 1 of 6 ‘Good Hygiene Practices along the coffee chain’ I have used spar urethane as a finish on a few other 12 to 18 MC (semi-wet) log projects that turned out wonderfully. Toilet overflowed and moisture meter is reading 30% in worst area. I would also consider the environment where the table will live. The difference is the moisture meter’s measurement error. So the question is ‘are those burrs or fuzzing on the edges?’, We’d love to have you give us a call to discuss which moisture meter is best for you. Also, if the leak was bad enough, it will be necessary to have a contractor make sure the strength of the subfloor isn’t compromised. Subfloor material such as plywood or OSB should measure between 10 and 14% moisture content. 3. We buy timber from the wood yard and expect it to be fit for purpose. About how long do you think we should allow the new wood to acclimate in the end use environment before installing it? If I dry too much, there’s discoloration and breakage of product during polishing. This is more likely to occur to occur in lower-grade boards, where knots and uneven grains are already present. Moisture Content on Dry Basis. These tools will give you the confidence that you have done everything on your part to ensure the highest quality in the piece you have built. Moisture content (M.C.) He, of course, said that type of product is insufficient. Bird, who runs the School of Fine Woodworking outside Knoxville, Tennessee, says he knows wood shrinks seasonally but wants to minimize the shrinkage and expansion by drying the wood to a moisture content of about 8%. The boards have dried nicely so far with minimal warpage or checking. The following is a guide to the moisture content of the hay crop as it is drying: 30 to 40% - leaves begin to rustle. The fermented beans are sun-dried or kiln-dried to reduce moisture content to 6–7 percent and bagged for shipment. We also have an ‘Orion 950’ moisture meter that will automatically give you EMC (Equilibrium Moisture Content) and other useful statistics. when coffee has a maximum of 12% moisture), or for verifying that coffee in the marketing chain is at a safe moisture content. As the humidity decreases, the MC decreases, causing the wood to shrink. I have a couple questions. Accuaracy is of course more important.. I’m trying to find specs on treated lumber for NC. In the end, we must compromise rather than seek absolutes, focusing on what actually works for each product, process and end result desired. I’m down to ~13-19% MC near floor level, based on a cheapo moisture meter’s readings. Thanks We will be building fir windows. New roof first week of November. Are the measurements of all wood the same? I have a question, I have moisture in the crawl space, we insulated the crawl with closed cell, cannot get the osb subfloor below. 10 – 14% moisture content is too high. Down pour of rain onto underlayment of attached garage. It is not uncommon for wood to expand or contract as much as a 1/8” per foot of width, so maintaining a stable environment is important. Currently the RH is 76%, the residence RH will be set at around 35%. is a key parameter affecting the properties of commercially important products such as foods, cellulosics (e.g. As long as the moisture content does not exceed those readings you should be ok. Because the moisture content of wood is equal to the weight of the water in the wood divided by the weight of the wood without the water, it’s possible for the moisture content to exceed 100%. When questioned, he said because Room is under 200 sq feet it is not a problem. MC d = m h2o / m d (1). I am renovating my kitchen and installing hardwood floors. For solid strip flooring (less than 3” wide) there should be no more than a 4% difference in moisture content between properly acclimated wood flooring and subflooring materials. I called them back out in August of 2019 because after installing a humidifier and in the prime of humid season, the floors were showing no signs of improvement. The degree of compaction of the soil largely depends upon the quantity of moisture in it.. Should I remove more foam to be sure. We have had an abnormally wet spring and part of summer. Please give us a call at (800) 634-9961 or email info@wagnermeters.com, if you’d prefer. I not sure if this is normal, related to the re-shim or need to install a crawl space dehumidifier to slow the progression? If you continue using our site you consent to our cookies. Drying equipment removed 3 days ago. I have about 3,000 sqft on my first floor and this was relatively consistent throughout. While the surface of the floor might feel dry, there could be higher moisture inside. A study by Imamura and Kiguchi (1999) showed that wood moisture content in excess of 20% can cause a 5% loss of nail shank diameter in four years and a projected 25% loss in 30 years. There will most likely be some shrinkage, so if possible, choose the clearest boards possible to lessen the possibility of any major cracking. Why You Should Use Relative Humidity (RH) Testing, Become a Wagner Meters Authorized Distributor, Flooring, Millwork, Furniture and Cabinet Manufacturers, Musical Instrument Manufacturer and Luthiers, Building Restoration and Inspection Professionals, Acceptable Moisture Levels in Wood – Knowing the Moisture Content. They do no give up moisture unless rubbed hard. all concrete) is framed and sheetrocked (though not mudded or sealed in any way) is then the studs are tested for humidity, what would be a reasonable level here in Seattle, living approximately 100 yards Puget Sound? 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