Moisture Testing Companies

Are you looking for a moisture testing company to test the timber framework in your house… or the house you’re about to buy?

It’s true… there are several companies to choose from in NZ who do moisture testing, but like any other type of business, are they using the equipment correctly? What exactly are they looking for?

Here’s what prompted me to write this post. I found an online sample of a building moisture testing report from an inspection company in the North Island. It showed the actual moisture meter he used to ‘test for moisture’ in wall. The meter had two 15mm pins and he simply put them through the gib board and onto the timber stud… here’s the problem with this method in my opinion:

First of all, gib board is 10mm thick, so the majority of the pin was directly touching the gib, and only 5mm of the pin actually penetrated the timber. So how on this earth will he detect the moisture on the outer side of the timber?

There are 1000′s and 1000′s of homes in NZ with no cavity system, which means the cladding is fixed directly onto the timber framework. If the cladding leaks through cracks (especially plaster), then it goes directly onto the outer side of the timber (cladding side). So if you stick two small pins into the internal side of the timber, and the moisture hasn’t got across that far, then the moisture inspection company could be missing the first signs of a leaky home.

Moisture testing companies in NZ will vary, so if they are going to do an invasive inspection for you, make sure they at least first drill holes through the gib that are wider than the pins, so the pins don’t take a false reading off the gib! In some cases the gib is slightly moist, but the timber is fine… yet that could throw out the reading and cause a ‘false positive’ reading.

One of the moisture testing companies we use in Auckland actually bypass the internal side of the timber and only penetrate the longer moisture meter pins into the external side of the timber as close to the cladding as possible. This is critical in most areas of the home. Leaks under windows are more likely to cause an even spread of moisture on the timber frame and the testing equipment will normally detect that from the internal side… even with a non-invasive moisture meter and usually infrared thermal imaging also.

In many cases, the moisture testing inspector will use a non-invasive meter to first establish where there are signs of moisture… and these meters will usually pick up where the moisture issues are in the home very quickly because they are extremely sensitive and calibrated accordingly… even through gib board. If timber is moist, it will transfer that moisture onto the gib and that’s what we are actually reading with the non-invasive meter, and that’s what you also are ‘seeing’ in the infrared camera photos on this website (different temperature on the surface of the gib where the leak(s) are).

Would you buy a car without even looking at it? Probably not. Well why would you buy a house without getting an idea of what the timber frame is like! After all, it’s the ‘bones’ of your walls.

Don’t get caught buying a dog like many immigrants do! The problem is they don’t even consider the moisture testing option when buying a home, mainly because most homes around the world don’t have the leaky home issues like we do here in NZ. It’s not that these offshore buyers are silly, it’s just that they aren’t aware of the problem NZ faces. Better to be safe then sorry!!

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Thermal Imaging

Client Comments... (All testimonials can be verified as true and correct... updated for 2010)

I enlisted Dean’s services 2 days prior to “D-day” of us purchasing our first NZ home. Dean proved to be an extremely efficient and knowledgeable technician. He has a very good understanding not only of his specific field, but also of general building requirements. He was easily able to spot, and talk me through, existing as well as potential problems, and was very open to answering the myriads of questions I fired his way. Most importantly, he gave me non-biased answers, allowing me to make an objective decision regarding the purchase of a potentially leaky home. Thanks again for excellent service Dean! Simone P - Titirangi

We have lived for some time in an old weather board cottage which we have renovated over a period of years. Recently we discovered a leak, so we googled “find a leak” and found a comprehensive and detailed website of the same name. Next we spoke to Dean and an appointment was made. He was punctual, courteous and his experience was obvious. His thermal imaging equipment is ‘state of the art’ and the source leak was quickly detected.

Dean was able offer practical solutions which we can act on with confidence. As a result of this experience we would recommend the use of his skills before the sale or purchase of any property to be reassured as to the integrity of the property. Dean is personable, a superb communicator and a true professional. Maggie & David M - Waiatarua

Dean was very professional and I would highly recommend anyone that is thinking of buying a property to get thermal testing done. Fortunately it was by pure chance that I even knew these tests were available after speaking to my neighbour and he advising me. The house we were looking at had water leaks and Dean has saved me many thousands of dollars in the long run. David G - West Auckland

Dean is a very professional and friendly guy. He goes step by step through the process which is very valuable. When he finds a potential problem he immediately notified to me and discussed with me in details on what actions could be taken. Anyway no major problems were detected in the property I wanted to purchase. However I greatly advice anyone to obtain Dean's professional service to make sure the property is in a satisfactory condition. Robbie P - Glen Eden

Thank you very much for the great service, very professional and appreciated the time taken to explain the process. Very glad to know that with all the stigma that goes with plaster houses, ours is not a leaky home. The report has helped pin-point some areas for maintenance which we plan to undertake sooner rather than later..Thanks again. Heather M - Maraetai

We were a bit apprehensive about what the leak detection might find, but found Dean’s confident, friendly and very capable approach extremely reassuring. While we were greatly relieved by the findings concerning the exterior of the house, Dean’s thoroughness in looking also for internal issues uncovered a surprise bath leak. Thanks Dean for solving the mysterious odour that’s been bothering us for the last 6 months! We highly recommend Dean to anyone with even the slightest concerns regarding moisture in their homes. Kevin - West Auckland

Thank you Dean for your prompt service. I was given 2 days to have a Building inspection done which found some dampness in the house. It was well worth the money spent as Dean found some other damp issues. He was very thorough and very informative and even though there were issues with the house they were all fixable so I was then able to re negotiate the purchase price. I would recommend anyone buying a house- any type of building structure to have ’Thermo Imaging’ as part of a building inspection. Thank you once again. Maree, Glendowie

We had some concerns about a recently renovation house including a lower basement. Being nosey I popped around to join Dean on his inspection. Apart from enjoying meeting him, Dean was enormously informative, approachable & friendly, I found the technology & information I gleaned fascinating. Fortunately, we identified no significant issues with the property. It gave us great peace of mind & we can enjoy our new home knowing we have bought a dry, water tight property with with hidden surprises. Thank you Dean for your help & reassurance. To my mind it is certainly worth the modest sum versus potential costs you could incur which could also mar one of most expensive purchases of your life.. Diane - Devonport

Read 20 more testimonials Here!