Damp meter readings - what is high

SG27

I posted this is the 'in my home' forum but didn't get much interest so thought I'd try here as there's probably more surveyors and experts here...

I've just bought myself a damp meter for testing my firewood so thought I'd try it around the house too! When we bought the house the surveyors said that there were high damp meter readings throughout and a further specialist damp survey said that whilst high they were to be expected with a house of this age.

My meter shows between 12 and 20% on the skirting boards although lower on the beams that touch ground level. Are these high? I know below 20% is dry for wood burning purposes. What is considered normal levels?

Thanks.

DRP

SG27 wrote: »

I posted this is the 'in my home' forum but didn't get much interest so thought I'd try here as there's probably more surveyors and experts here...

I've just bought myself a damp meter for testing my firewood so thought I'd try it around the house too! When we bought the house the surveyors said that there were high damp meter readings throughout and a further specialist damp survey said that whilst high they were to be expected with a house of this age.

My meter shows between 12 and 20% on the skirting boards although lower on the beams that touch ground level. Are these high? I know below 20% is dry for wood burning purposes. What is considered normal levels?

Thanks.

A section from the report written up by our damp & timber surveyor might help:

Conductivity meter readings taken from plaster and masonry of up to around 18% would generally be considered as dry and within acceptable levels in a property of this type provided there is no impact or consequence as a result of the presence of moisture.
..
The relative moisture contents of skirting boards and lower door frames should be below 22% as this is the level at which decay can occur, ideally relative moisture content of timber work should be between 12-14%.

SG27

DRP wrote: »

A section from the report written up by our damp & timber surveyor might help:

Thank you. Our damp and timber surveyor didn't actually specify the readings he took. Assuming my meter is accurate looks like I have nothing majorly high.

sandsni

Also remember that "damp meters" measure conductivity rather than actual water content, so measurements can be skewed by other conductive substances in the walls.