Moisture Meters Available

Most county NDSU Extension Service offices have moisture meters that people can borrow to determine if they adequately dried the parts of their homes and other buildings that flooded before they start rebuilding. Typically, the counties charge a $60 deposit, which is refunded when the meter is returned.

Wood moisture content should be at or below 15% to minimize the potential for mold growth. Wood may not decay until exceeding a moisture content of about 20%, but mold growth is expected in wall cavities that contain wet wood.

Meters calibrated for measuring wood moisture content also can provide a relative moisture measurement of other materials such as drywall. However, the meters only measure moisture content; they do not determine if mold is present. It is also recommended checking for moisture coming through the basement's concrete walls and floor by taping a 3 x 3 foot plastic sheet to the floor or wall during a period of a few days. The soil surrounding a flooded home may take weeks or months to dry adequately to permit rebuilding.