Damp testing tool

Just like a house, there are plenty of places where moisture can cause issues in a recreational or touring vehicle. A moisture inspection should always include the obvious places to test, such as:. After use: Caravans are meant for outdoor use. Exposure to the elements, or even minor damage while traveling, may provide an opening for dampness to make its way inside.

In between uses : It may be weeks or even months before you hit the road again. When inspecting a touring vehicle for dampness, having the right tools -- primarily damp meters and a hygrometer-- are critical. There are two types of damp meters for caravan moisture inspections: pin-type and pinless. Pin-type damp meters determine actual moisture content in a material. Using electrodes, a pin-type meter gauges moisture by measuring electrical residents between its pins.

Pinless moisture meters confirm dampness within a material. These noninvasive meters use radio frequencies to assess average moisture content within their depth of measurement. A pinless moisture meter is ideal for taking readings in hard-to-reach places, such as behind walls or underneath floor panels.

Hygrometers measure relative humidity RH within a space. A good starting point for a dampness survey, if a hygrometer determines high humidity in a caravan, a dampness issue may be the cause. Pin-type and pinless moisture meters go hand-in-hand. One lets you seek out and confirm the presence of dampness in a caravan, while the other tells you the extent of moisture within its materials. And hygrometers are a great tool for detecting condensation.

Occupants in damp buildings can be exposed to pollutants in the air from biological contaminants and the breakdown of building materials. Research has shown that a number of health problems are associated with exposure to building dampness and mold including:. The Dampness and Mold Assessment Tools guide users through assessing all rooms, whether in a school or a general building, for areas of dampness and mold and identifying the source s of the dampness and mold.

The tools provide an easy-to-use checklist and instructions for assessing and recording any damage that is found and for tracking conditions through time. NIOSH previously published an Alert, Preventing Occupational Respiratory Disease from Exposures Caused by Dampness in Office Buildings, Schools, and Other Nonindustrial Buildings pdf icon that provides further information on respiratory disease related to indoor dampness and recommendations for preventing and remediating damp buildings.

When workers suspect their health problems are caused by exposure to building-related dampness or mold, workers should report new, persistent, or worsening symptoms, particularly those with a work-related pattern, to their personal physician and, as instructed by their employer, to a designated individual at their workplace. You can find more information about dampness and mold in buildings, including action steps for management and building owners and workers, on the NIOSH website.

NIOSH is the federal institute that conducts research and makes recommendations for preventing work-related injuries and illnesses. Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link.