DELMHORST BD-10 (01) PDF MANUAL

Designed to check moisture levels in wood, concrete, EIFS, sheetrock, and other materials

Resistance technology recognized around the world as the most accurate method for measuring moisture

6%-40% moisture range for wood

0 to 100 reference scale for non-wood materials

Analog readout

Built-in calibration check

Temperature stable circuit

Ergonomic case design

Easy one-hand operation

Includes (1) 9-Volt Battery

Includes sturdy carrying case

One-year warranty

Over fifty years of proven quality, accuracy and service

The BD-10 features two scales: “wood” and “reference”.

The wood scale is used when testing wood, and the reading indicates the percentage moisture content.

The reference scale reads from 0-100 and is used when testing any building material such as plaster, concrete, brick, insulation, etc. Readings on the reference scale are to be taken as a qualitative indication of the moisture level. Readings in the low end of the scale indicate a “drier” condition; readings in the upper end of the scale indicate a higher moisture level in the material. The scale is color coded with green, yellow, and red areas. Readings may be interpreted as green (dry), yellow (borderline), red (wet).

When using the reference scale, tests should be made on material samples that are known to be dry. Such readings can be used as standards or reference points against which subsequent readings should be compared.

Press the calibration check button (2). The meter is in calibration if the needle pointer moves to “20” on the wood scale (3). Any reading within the green band on the dial is acceptable. Make sure the contact pins (5) are not in contact with anything when checking the calibration.

If you check the calibration and the needle does not read within the green band, it is likely an indication of a low battery. If this occurs, change the battery (9-Volt) immediately. Continued use with a low battery may cause the meter to go out of calibration. If you have a fresh battery and the instrument still does not indicate a proper calibration, return it for service.

1. Remove the protective cover to expose the pins. Check that the contact pins (5) are firmly hand tightened.

2. Align contact pins (5) parallel to the grain, pushing to their full penetration, if possible.

3. Press the read button (1) and read the moisture content on the wood meter scale (3).

Delmhorst uses the USDA standard-Douglas Fir-as the basis for all calibrations. Because the electrical characteristics of different species vary, some species may read differently at the same moisture content. However, in most cases, the Douglas Fir reading can be taken at face value on construction-grade lumber.

Moisture is by far the most frequent cause of paint failure. The key to preventing paint failure is to make certain that moisture is not absorbed through the wood to the back of the paint film. So, in order to insure quality paint jobs, wood must remain dry after the application of paint.

Outdoor wood can be safely painted without danger of peeling if the %MC is 15% or less. In drier climates, the maximum reading should be 10% to 11%. Indoor wood should be between 7% to 8% prior to painting.

The following conditions may cause high moisture content in wood:

Leaky gutters and down spouts

Leaky pipes or condensation on cold water lines in attic or hollow walls

Faulty flashing around windows, doors and where porch and dormer roofs meet sidings

End-grain wood that is not sealed with paint at all joints around windows, corners, and butt joints

Porch columns that do not have good drainage and ventilation where they rest on porch floors

Siding or any other wood that is in contact with the ground

Siding and shingles without sufficient lap so that water is forced up through cracks by wind pressure

Ice dams

Condensation of vapor within hollow walls

Moisture intrusion problems in EIFS (also known as synthetic stucco) stem from leaking window frames, improper use of or lack of sealant, and faulty installation of flashing. If you suspect a problem, take a visual inspection. Look for gaps around windows, doors, air conditioning units, light fixtures, hose bibs, dryer vents and other areas of potential penetration. Also look for visible signs of water damage. If you feel a problem exists, use the BD-10 with a #21-E electrode, which includes the #608 – (4″) insulated pins.

Procedure:

1. Drill two 1/4″ holes about 3/4″ apart at an upward 45° angle.

2. Push the #21-E Electrode into the holes through the polystyrene and into the substrate.

3. Press the read button (1) and read the scale.

*Refer to the wood scale (3) if the sheathing is plywood. If gypsum sheathing is used, refer to the reference scale (4).

It is important to test both the surface and mid-section of the slab, especially if the slab is on or below grade. This will help determine if there is continuous moisture migration toward the surface.

Taking a Surface Reading:

1. Drive two hardened-steel masonry nails about 3/4″ apart into the finish coat of concrete floor. Drive them about 1/8″ deep so they make firm contact with the concrete and do not move when touched.

2. Touch the nails with the contact pins (5).

3. Press read button (1) and read the reference scale (4). If the meter reads in the red or “wet” area, it shows the floor is not satisfactory for covering. If meter reads in the green or “dry” area, the surface is dry. However, subsurface tests should be made to verify if the slab is dry throughout.

Subsurface Test:

1. Drill two 1/4″ holes, 3/4″ apart and 1/2″ to 2″ deep.

2. Drive the masonry nails into the bottom of the holes and make the tests as described above. Nails must not touch sides of drilled holes.

If the meter still indicates green or “dry” the floor is ready for covering. Tests should be made at several points, especially when the slab is thick and air circulation is poor. Tests should only be made in newly drilled holes, since the inside surface of the holes can dry out while the rest of the slab is still wet.

Even readings in the red or “wet” area can indicate relatively low moisture content in concrete. For example, readings in the 85-95 range on the reference scale (4) indicate approximately 2% to 4% moisture content.

If more testing is required, the calcium chloride test is recommended. The National Wood Flooring Association offers the following guidelines:

Results	Indicate
0-3 lbs.	Dry
over 3 lbs.	Moisture barrier required
over 7 lbs.	Too wet

Key Factors to Consider:

The age of the slab. National Wood Flooring Association guidelines specify to wait at least 30 days after the slab is laid before checking moisture content.

Is the slab on grade or suspended? If the slab is on grade, is there an effective vapor barrier under the slab?

How thick is the slab?

What is the drainage condition of the ground?

History of other structures in the area

Brick, stucco, or concrete surfaces must be dry at the time of application and must remain dry after paint is applied or failure of the paint film may occur. It is important to check the moisture content of the brick or concrete when it has been exposed to conditions that permit it to absorb moisture.

Procedure:

1. Drive two hardened steel masonry nails about 3/4″ apart into the brick or concrete. Drive them about 1/4″ deep so they make firm contact and do not move when touched.

2. Touch the nails with the contact pins (5).

3. Press read button (1) and read the reference scale (4).

Normally, dry concrete or brick will read in the green or “dry” portion of scale, indicating a safe condition to apply paint. Paint should not be applied if readings are in the red or “wet” portion of the scale.

Key Areas to Check:

The rear side of brick parapet walls – generally are not waterproof above the flashing line and frequently absorb moisture during rains.

Painted concrete floors on ground – subject to peeling as they absorb moisture from the earth, unless an effective vapor barrier has been installed.

Take several readings on each wall. Pay special attention near the base, around doorjambs, electrical and plumbing fixtures, and other places where the plaster is thicker than normal.

Taking a Surface Reading:

1. Drive the contact pins (5) into the plaster to their full penetration, if possible.

2. Press read button (1) and read the reference scale (4).

Taking a Reading Below the Surface:

1. Drive a pair of nails into the plaster at least 1/3 of the total thickness of the plaster. If you are applying plaster to a material of doubtful dryness, such as brick or concrete, drive the nails through the plaster and into the brick or concrete.

2. Touch the heads of the nails with the contact pins (5) and read the meter.

The following guidelines may be used to interpret the meter readings on plaster or sheetrock prior to painting or applying adhesives:

Green or “dry” < 4% moisture

Red or “wet” – approximately 5%

Yellow – Borderline

The BD-10 can help trace leaks in masonry material. If the meter indicates the presence of moisture you can trace the moisture to its origin.

To trace the origin of a leak:

1. Drive a nail into an area that is known to be wet and attach an insulated wire between the nail and one of the contact pins (5).

2. Apply the other pin to various parts of the wall where you suspect the leak originates. If the meter indicates red or “wet”, the material is wet between the points of contact. If the meter reads green or “dry”, the material along this line is not in the path of a leak.

To confirm if a brick wall is waterproof:

Perform the following procedure after storms to verify if a brick wall is waterproof, or if waterproofing repairs have been properly performed:

1. Drive pairs of nails into the brick wherever it is necessary to make the tests and leave them in place until after all the tests are completed.

2. Take readings after each storm, and record the readings. The pattern of these readings will indicate if the brick is gradually drying out or is moistened again by each storm.

Use the BD-10 with the #21-E Electrode and #608 insulated pins to detect moisture in insulation. These pins are insulated, except at the tips. Only the uninsulated tips make contact with the material, providing information as to the depth at which moisture is present.

Procedure:

1. Drill two 3/16″ diameter holes, one inch apart through the siding.

2. Using the #21-E, insert the #608 contact pins into the holes so that you make contact with the insulation.

3. Press the read button (1) and read the reference scale (4). Take readings at various depths of penetration to determine the location of moisture.

4. Fill holes with putty at the conclusion of the test.

Meters are not calibrated to read the percentage of moisture content in the insulation. Instead, meter readings provide a qualitative indication of the presence of moisture. The meter may also help identify the pattern of distribution to help you determine if moisture is due to condensation or leakage.

To keep your meter in good working order:

Store your meter in a clean, dry place. The protective carrying case provided is an ideal storage place when the meter is not in use.

Change the 9-Volt battery as needed. Continued use with a low battery may cause the meter to go out of calibration.

Change contact pins (5) as needed. Keep pin retainers hand tightened.

Clean the meter and contact pins with any biodegradable cleaner. Use the cleaner sparingly and on external parts only. Keep cleaner out of the external connector (6).

Remove the battery if the meter will not be used for one month or longer.

SPECIES	7	8	9	10	12	14	16	18	20	22	24
ALDER	8	9	10	11	13	15	17.5	19.5	21.5	24	27
APITONG	8	9	10	11	13	15	17	20	22	24	27
ASPEN	7	8	9	10	11.5	13	15	16.5	18	20	21
ASH, WHITE	6.5	7.5	8	9	11	13	14.5	16	18	19.5	21
BASSWOOD	7	8	8	9	10.5	13	15	17	19	20.5	22
BIRCH	8	9	10	11	13	15	17	19	21.5	23.5	25.5
CEDAR, EAST. RED	8	9.5	10.5	12	14	17	19	21	23	25	26
CEDAR, INCENSE	7	8	9.5	10.5	12.5	15	17	19	21	23	25
CHERRY	8	9	10	11	13.5	15.5	18	20	22	24	26
COTTONWOOD	6	7.5	8.5	9.5	12	14	15	17	19.5	21	23
CYPRESS	7	8	9	10	12	14	16	18	19.5	21.5	23.5
ELM, AMERICAN	7	7.5	8	8.5	10	11.5	13	15	16	18	19
FIR, DOUGLAS	7	8	9	10	12	14	16	18	20	22	24
FIR, RED	7	8	9	10	12.5	15	17	19	21	23	25
FIR, WHITE	8	9	9.5	10.5	12.5	15	17	19	21	23	25
GUM, BLACK	7.5	9	10	11	13	15	16	18	19	20.5	22
GUM, RED	7	8	9	10	12.5	14.5	16.5	19	20.5	22.5	24
HEMLOCK, WESTERN	7	8	9	10.5	13	15	17	19	20.5	22	23.5
HACKBERRY	7	8.5	9	9.5	12	13	15	17	18.5	20	22
HICKORY	8	8.5	9	10	11	12.5	14	15.5	17	19	20.5
KERUING	8	9	10	11	13	15	17	20	22	24	27
LARCH	7.5	9	10	11	13	15	17	19	21	23	25.5
MAGNOLIA	7.5	9	10	11.5	14	16	17.5	19	21	22.5	24.5
MAHOGANY, AFRICAN (ALSO KHAYA)	8	9.5	10.5	12	15	17	19.5	22	24	26	28
MAHOGANY, HOND.	7	8	9	10.5	12.5	14.5	16	18	19.5	21.5	22.5
MAHOGANY, PHIL.	6	7	7.5	8	9.5	11	13	14	15.5	17	18
MAPLE, HARD/SOFT	8	9	9.5	10	12	14	16	18	20	22.5	25
MERANTI, DARK RED	8.5	9.5	10.5	11.5	12.5	16	18	20.5	22.5	24.5	26.5
OAK, RED	7	8	9	10	12	14	16	18	20	22	24
OAK, WHITE	7	8	8.5	9.5	11.5	13.5	15	17	18.5	20	22
PECAN	6.5	8	9.5	11	12.5	14	16	17.5	19	22	24
PINE, LONGLEAF	8	8.5	10	11	13	15.5	17.5	19.5	21	23	25
PINE, PONDEROSA	7.5	8.5	10	11	13.5	15.5	17.5	19.5	21	23	25.5
PINE, SHORTLEAF	7.5	9	10	11	13	15.5	17.5	19.5	21.5	23.5	25
PINE, SO. YELLOW*	8	9.5	10.5	12	14.5	16.5	19	21	23	25	28
PINE, SUGAR	7	8	9	10	12	15	17	19	21	23	25
PINE, WHITE	7	8	9	10	13	15	17	19	21	23	25.5
POPLAR, YELLOW	8	8.5	10	11	13	15.5	17.5	19.5	22	24	26
RAMIN	7	8	9	10	11	13	15	16	18	20	21
RADIATA PINE	10	11	11	12	14	16	18	20	23	25	27
REDWOOD	7	8	9	10	12	13.5	15	17	19	22	24
SPRUCE, SITKA	7	8	9	10	12.5	14.5	17	19	21	23.5	26
SPF**	9	10	11.5	13	15.5	18	20.5	23	25	28	30
SPF/COFI	8	9	10	11	13	15	17	19	21	23	25
TEAK	7	8	8.5	9	11	12	14	15	17	18.5	20
VIROLA	6.5	7	8	9	11	12.5	14	16	18	18.5	20.5
WALNUT, BLACK	7.5	8.5	9.5	10.5	12.5	14.5	16	18	20	22	23.5

*Meter readings taken with 26-E 2-pin electrode. Do not apply 2-pin correction.

**SPF correction based on 2-pin 26-E reading with insulated pins. It is based on USDA/Forintek data and can be used for the following species: Lodgepole Pine, Alpine Fir