What is an acceptable moisture reading for drywall?

between 5 and 12%
While relative humidity can have some effect on moisture levels, drywall is considered to have an appropriate level of moisture if it has a moisture content of between 5 and 12%.

Do moisture meters work on drywall?

Using a moisture meter for drywall is one of the fastest ways to test moisture in drywall. However, not just any moisture meter will do. To get accurate results, the moisture meter should have a specialized gypsum/drywall scale mode.

How do you test for moisture in drywall?

With a drywall scale meter, accurately measuring moisture is as easy as pushing the pins of the meter into the drywall and taking a reading. The meter will provide an exact measurement that you can use to determine the moisture content of the drywall.

Do pinless moisture meters work on drywall?

Insert pin meters into the drywall in several different spots to get an accurate reading of the entire wall. Similarly, a pinless meter should scan several sites on the wall for a full scope of its moisture content. For drywall, a reading of 5 percent to 7 percent is optimal.

What is safe moisture level?

You should be aware that a moisture reading of 0-15% is quite normal and gives no cause for concern. However, moisture readings in excess of 15% indicate the need for further inspection. Levels between 25-30% indicate that there may be water ingress, meaning that remedial work could be required.

How accurate are moisture detectors?

The accuracy of the %MC readings, as well as the appropriate substrate scales, vary per meter and can vary by brand and type. Most moisture meters are calibrated to wood, which provides a relatively accurate reading in wood moisture content. Typically, this scale ranges in the 5 to 40% range.

How do I know if there is moisture in my walls?

How to Check for Moisture Inside Walls

  1. Look at the wall surface carefully.
  2. Push on the wall slightly to see how it feels.
  3. Smell the wall to test for moisture.
  4. Drill two small holes, about 3/16 inch in diameter and about 1 inch apart, into the wall.
  5. Insert the probes from a probe moisture meter into the bored holes.

How can you tell if there is moisture in a wall?

What are the Signs of a Water Leak Behind Walls?

  1. Musty odors.
  2. Visible mold growth on walls and baseboards.
  3. Staining.
  4. Peeling or bubbling paint and wallpaper.
  5. Warped walls.
  6. Buckled ceilings and floors.

Which is better pin or pinless moisture meter?

Pinless wood moisture meters are faster because they can scan many points in a quick swipe. If you used a pin meter, you would need to take several readings to cover the same size area. This is because a pin meter only measures the moisture between the two pins.

How can you tell if mold is in your drywall?

Be aware of signs that drywalls are moist such as:

  1. water stains.
  2. dark rings.
  3. discoloration.
  4. deterioration like peeling, bubbling or cracking of the paint or wallpaper.