The real question is not whether your drywall is dry but whether the moisture level it contains is safe and appropriate. An acceptable level of moisture content is between 5% and 12%. Even a higher level may not spell disaster if not confined to a small area.
A drywall service will know that homes have moisture levels of 50% and lower and this varies from home to home. An appropriate level of moisture for drywall is between 5-12%.
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.
The Moisture Encounter MEX5 is a digital, non-destructive moisture and humidity meter, calibrated to evaluate elevated moisture levels in drywall structures. It also features a built-in hygrometer for ambient conditions and an infrared surface thermometer, which can be helpful in determining dew-point issues.
The walls and flooring in every bathroom that is being used on a regular basis will have some degree of moisture present. Normal bathroom walls and floors have a general moisture reading of around 3.5 to 5.5. Anything under 3.5 is great and anything above around 7.0 should be investigated and monitored.
A moisture meter reading above 16% is generally considered damp, with higher readings posing greater risks. For plaster walls, readings over 20% may indicate significant water ingress, often caused by leaking pipes or external wall defects.
The rule of thumb is that any moisture reading over 16% is considered damp and needs attention. If your reading is over 20%, you may need to replace the drywall entirely. Walls in homes with healthy humidity levels typically have a moisture reading between 12-15%.
The ideal indoor range is between 40–60%. This level will make a house feel warm and cozy, dry out any moisture build-up or mold issues, as well as improve respiratory health by boosting indoor circulation!
Moisture meters help detect moisture spots with possible mold growth. If your MC reading in wood is more than 20%, you may want to check these areas for mold growth. When the MC is above 20%, this is possibly where mold growth can start to happen. Humans have reason to attach negative connotations to mold.
A quality meter will be highly accurate and have a measurement range of 6 to 30%. It will also provide a way for the user to verify calibration. Cheap moisture meters might promise accuracy, but they'll lack the evidence for it. They won't have any studies to prove their accuracy.
Ideal humidity – and signs of trouble
Every home is different, but a level between 30 and 40 per cent humidity is typically ideal for keeping your home warm and comfortable in the winter, without leaving condensation on the windows. In the summer, that level can be higher, between 50 and 60 per cent.
The best way to dry wet drywall is to dry it from the inside out. This can be done by using a fan or a dehumidifier. Use a moisture meter to check the moisture levels. Once you have started drying the drywall, checking the moisture levels with a moisture meter is important.
Pinless moisture meters are definitely the way to go for home inspectors. Not only is their technology highly advanced and accurate, but they are extremely fast and easy to use. Given all of these great features, pinless moisture meters might even be a great choice for homeowners.
Relative humidity levels above 70 percent appear to be optimal for fungal or mold spore growth.
Most houses have varying levels of humidity up to 50%, so moisture levels in drywall can vary from home to home. 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%.
Readings of 5 to 12% are considered normal, and up to 17% is considered acceptable. Wood starts to rot and is susceptible to mold when its moisture content reaches 35 to 50%. Wood can typically hold up to 25% without showing signs of deterioration.
Relative humidity is the amount of moisture in air at a given temperature. Keeping relative humidity lower helps to reduce moisture problems in homes. When the relative humidity is more than 50%, moisture problems may occur.
The real question is not whether your drywall is dry but whether the moisture level it contains is safe and appropriate. An acceptable level of moisture content is between 5% and 12%. Even a higher level may not spell disaster if not confined to a small area.
The general rule is that any moisture reading over 16% is considered damp and needs attention. If your reading is over 20%, you may need to replace the drywall entirely. The walls in your home with healthy humidity levels should have a moisture reading between 12 to 15%.
Use high-efficiency blowers and dehumidifiers and open the windows and doors. Use fans to increase air flow behind walls and leave them running for at least two days so the studs and flooring can completely dry. Note: avoid punching holes in walls. This practice doesn't help the wall dry faster.
Exterior waterproofing coats can be applied to the exterior walls to stop water from penetrating the walls. The barrier that a waterproof coat will create will insulate walls and keep out rain and moisture, keeping walls from becoming damp. You can treat dampness in the interior walls by waterproofing the roof.
Although interior temperatures and relative moisture are often personal preferences, researchers have found that an average moisture level will typically range between 50 to 60 percent indoors with a desirable temperature between 19°C to 24°C.
Damp specialists offer solutions such as damp proofing, waterproofing, and moisture control, ensuring your property remains safe and healthy. Hiring a damp specialist typically costs between £300 and £5,000, though this can increase for larger or more complex projects.