A build up of moisture is common in a motorhome or campervan due to humidity and condensation. Moisture meters are used to check a caravan, camper or motorhome for dampness and signs of water damage.
We have been travelling and living in our motorhome full time now for a few years, and we have carried out our research to bring you everything you need to know about the best moisture meters and how to use them.
We recommend the Wood Moisture Meter by Dr Meter, 4 Pin Digital Moisture Meter by Neoteck, and the Digital Moisture Meter and Water Leak Detector by NoCry for checking if there is dampness in your motorhome.
In this article, we go into how to find dampness, when to check, and the pros and cons of our top selected damp meters.
Quick Links
What is a Moisture Meter for a Motorhome?
A moisture meter is a device used to measure moisture levels in your campervan. It helps you to take proactive steps to prevent damage from occurring due to high humidity, and condensation.
This is especially important if you’re planning on spending significant amounts of time in your van, especially during the colder months with wet weather conditions.
A moisture detector can help alert you to any areas where there could be a damp problem, allowing you to take action before any damage is done.
It can also be used to monitor the various moisture content levels in your van over time, helping you ensure that there is no moisture inside and humidity and condensation in touring vehicle don’t become a problem.
This device is an essential addition for any campervan, motorhome or caravan owner who wants to take proactive steps to protect their vehicle from potential damage. It’s easy to use and it can give you peace of mind that your van is in good condition.
With a campervan moisture meter, you can be sure that humidity, damp, and condensation won’t catch you unawares – giving you the confidence to enjoy your time on the road.
Using an electrical charge, the detection pins are touched to a surface, where the pin moisture meter reads how much moisture is present. As a rule of thumb, the more water is present, the easier it is for electricity to pass through the detection pins via electrical resistance on the tested surface.
How to Use a Campervan Moisture Meter?
A moisture detector is a device that measures the amount of water in different materials. To use a moisture detector or meter, first turn on the unit and then press the button to select the type of material to measure.
To use a moisture meter, you simply place it against the wall of your campervan, motorhome or caravan, close to any potential sources of water such as taps and sinks and wait for a reading.
The device will also detect moisture and the humidity meters then give you a moisture reading of the level of moisture present in your van, helping you to take necessary action if required.
Finally, compare your measurement with a chart bar graph or table corresponding with your materials type and read out what percentage of water content it has (for example “plaster: 8%”).
It’s a quick and easy way to carry out a caravan damp test on various materials in your vehicle, allowing you to make sure everything is safe and secure. Using a motorhome moisture meter is all about timing, as they are a preventative tool to protect your caravan from water ingress and excess moisture.
When Should I Check my Motorhome for Dampness?
The best time to carry out damp testing is before a trip, after a trip, and during a wait between trips.
It is good to check during these times as, at the beginning of a trip, you are preventing the possibility of travelling miles from home only to discover that you have a moisture problem, which can affect your entire trip.
Checking for dampness after a trip is a great habit as, due to caravans being used outdoors, they are exposed to the elements a lot, and dampness may seep in during your travels that will be noticed and properly addressed upon checking your motorhome when you reach home.
While waiting for your next trip, it is always a good idea to inspect your motorhome and check the damp levels and the moisture content, as dampness can still occur, and a small water problem can turn into a big problem if given enough time.
What should a damp meter read in a motorhome?
A damp meter in a motorhome should read a low percentage of moisture in the interior walls, floors, and ceiling. Ideally, the reading on damp meters should be below 15% to indicate that there are low damp levels and there is no excessive moisture present in the area tested.
Any reading higher than this could suggest a damp issue or water damage, which could cause problems with mould and mildew growth, as well as structural damage over time. It’s important to regularly check for signs of a moisture issue in a motorhome and use a damp meter to detect any immediate signs of potential issues early on.
Why is Checking for Dampness Using a Moisture Meter So Important for Caravans?
For larger recreational vehicles, a moisture problem can cause significant damage and therefore be costly, and pose health issues as moisture can breed mould. This can all be prevented by simply doing routine checks of your motorhome with a damp and humidity meter first.
If you suspect that you have damp in your caravan, using a caravan damp meter first to check this could save you a lot of time and money further down the line.
Does a moisture meter really work? How accurate are they?
The simple answer is yes! A moisture meter is a scientific device which measures the amount of moisture in a particular area.
It is typically used by builders to determine if new construction using different materials will be able to survive in an environment with high levels of moisture and be accurate to within less than 0.1%
If you suspect that your campervan has a damp issue, a moisture meter can help identify exactly where the issue lies. You can use this information to make informed decisions about what type of mould remediation methods you may need to undertake.
Can a moisture meter detect mould?
A moisture meter is a device that measures the amount of water in an object. This can be used to help determine if there is mould growing on an object.
A caravan moisture meter is an important tool for people who are concerned that their caravan or motorhome might have mould growing inside, which can potentially cause health risks.
If there is any suspicion about mould, a caravan moisture meter can help confirm whether or not this is the case.
Can a moisture meter detect mould?
A moisture meter is a device that measures the amount of water in an object. This can be used to help determine if there is mould growing on an object. A moisture meter is an important tool for people who are concerned that their caravan or motorhome might have mould growing inside. If there is any suspicion about mould, a moisture meter can help confirm whether or not this is the case.
What Are Our Top Three Recommended Damp Meters for motorhomes?
What is the Wood Moisture Meter by Dr. Meter?
Wood Moisture Meter by Dr. Meter
The Wood Moisture Meter by Dr. Meter is a tool that measures the moisture content amount of water in any given surface, making it ideal for finding moisture in carpets, wood, walls, and other surfaces. It is a useful water damage tool with a 9V battery that comes included and an easy-to-read LCD screen.
What Are the Pros and Cons of the Wood Moisture Meter by Dr. Meter by Amazon Customers?
“ A very neat tool – simple and compact.”
“It’s easy to operate, comes complete with batter, a spare set of pins and case… I am very happy with it.”
“It is so handy and easy to use… I have been using this for 3 years now and recommended it….”
“The reading is instantaneous… The spare prongs are… a nice touch.”
“It has a simple on/off button and is very simple to use… push the two pins onto the surface and it gives a reading.”
What is the 4 Pin Digital Moisture Meter by Neoteck?
4 Pin Digital Moisture Meter by Neoteck
The 4 Pin Digital Moisture Meter by Neoteck offers accurate measurements of dampness that are displayed on a large LCD screen, is powered by a 9V battery that is included, and is suitable to read wood, plaster, walls, caravans, RVs, concrete, and other building materials.
What Are the Pros of the 4 Pin Digital Moisture Meter by Neoteck by Amazon Customers?
“Very easy to use – just switch on and touch the four probes to the surface… by pressing ‘hold’ the reading stays so you can read it more easily… exposed a rainwater leak….”
“The pins do not need to penetrate the surface to gain a reading… very impressed…”
“used it… out of the box as a battery was already fitted… hold it against that suspected damp patch and take a reading – couldn’t be simpler.”
“Performs really well and is invaluable in assessing the level of dampness in walls.”
“Easy to use and it gave clear readings. Handy size and robust.”
What is the Digital Moisture Meter and Water Leak Detector by NoCry?
Digital Moisture Meter and Water Leak Detector
The Digital Moisture Meter and Water Leak Detector by NoCry offers four different measurement modes for heightened accuracy and is adjustable to over 100 different types of materials and various surfaces such as hardwood, oak, plywood, concrete, and drywall.
What Are the Pros and Cons of the Digital Moisture Meter and Water Leak Detector by NoCry by Amazon Customers?
“This unit allows you to take readings at regular intervals… comprehensive… easy to use.”
“Regardless of how often you have your caravan serviced purchase a damp meter and do your own checks.”
“Does exactly what it says on the box.”
“Easy to use and very light.”
“NoCry provides excellent customer service.”
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a reliable and simple solution for monitoring the moisture levels in your campervan, motorhome or caravan, a campervan moisture meter could be the perfect choice.
Not only is it an affordable and easy to use device but it also provides peace of mind that your van is kept in good condition.
With caravan moisture meters, you can stay on top of any potential humidity or condensation issues – allowing you to enjoy your time on the road worry free.
Whether you need to check a suspicious damp spot on your motorhome or want to have a moisture meter on hand for routine checks, now you know how to use a moisture meter, and what the pros and cons are of the best damp meter out on the market.
Keep up with our full-time van life travels over on our YouTube channel! If you enjoy our videos, please give us a thumbs up and subscribe to our channel 🙂 – Three As A Bird – Vanlife Travel – YouTube
You can take a look at some of our other van life posts which include lots and lots of hints and tips on all things van life here – Van Life – Travel Information, Hints, Tips and Advice (threeasabird.com)
If you’d like to follow more of our adventures or keep up to date with our travel hints and tips, please join our Facebook group, we’d love to connect with you all! –https://www.facebook.com/groups/309295536220437
Also, if you have Pinterest, please give us a follow for your van life travel inspiration! – https://pin.it/770Cq1Q
I love everything about travel, from seeing new places, learning about new cultures and trying new foods! I believe that travel is one of the best forms of education you can get, I have learnt so much about myself and about the world from travelling all over. Travel is something I feel so passionately about, and I love the fact that we are now lucky enough to have this opportunity to do what we love as much as we can, it’s a dream come true.
Before we started travelling, I worked in local government in administration. I had been in this job for several years and had reached a complete brick wall where I was so fed up, but didn’t know what else to do. The only thing I knew that I wanted to do was to travel, and had wanted to do that for many years.
There were hundreds and hundreds of places on my wishlist that I wanted to go to, and I knew that going on a weeks holiday maybe twice a year if we were lucky wasn’t going to cut it.
After being in lockdown due to the Covid pandemic, and working from home staring at the same 4 walls every day, 2021 seemed like the perfect time for us to take the risk to finally do what we had dreamed of for so long.
It was a hard decision to completely change our lives, but so far it has been the best decision we have ever made!
