Comparing Moisture Meter Readings with Measured Equilibrium Moisture Content of Gypsum Board

摘要

Moisture meters routinely used in the field to determine the moisture content in gypsum wallboard are primarily designed and manufactured to measure the moisture content of wood. Often they are used to decide whether to replace wallboard by determining if moisture is qualitatively higher or lower than another location. Because the moisture meter is so widely used, it is necessary to establish methods to ensure their usefulness and dependability as an aid in wallboard moisture detection and remediation. A method was developed to create a series of gypsum wallboard moisture content reference standards by exposing wallboard sample sections to static moisture content levels. Gravimetric analysis revealed good accuracy and precision of the reference standards to their theoretical values. A moisture meter was then compared against these reference standards to determine the meter's accuracy and precision.