Hi guys, new here and getting some practice in on family and friend’s homes.
This rainwater tap reads as wet on my Tramex below the tap. I’m wondering if it could be a false positive from the metal tap behind or something? Or does this require further investigation?
Thanks!
Sorry the reading on the left should say “70” not “7”. My moisture mapping function on my Tramex wasn’t working at the time so I had to do this dodgy version myself
Google capillary action in brick walls.
Nice to see new comers using professional equipment. Any time your meter indicates elevated moisture in an area, take readings at nearby areas (above for instance in this case) to see the reading.
It wasnt wet along the base of the wall anywhere else
Thanks! There was no moisture in similar areas.
I do not think the measurement is because of a false reading.
Jessica, likely water got sprayed onto the brick masonry. Seeing clay brick is porous it will retain this moisture for a prolonged period. Move along. Nothing to see there.
As well poor ground clearance. Moisture will wick upwards.
It had been raining a couple of days prior, however there was no higher moisture readings in the other blocks, it was specific to the tap so I don’t think I can exclude that it might be leaking within the wall?
You won’t be able to report the cause on this one; maybe from rain a few days earlier, the spigot; possibly from backsplash from recent use or as you say, leakage in the wall. You did your job by recognizing and reporting the issue. Many times the cause cannot be determined during a home inspection.
Personally, I’ve never checked brick, or any exterior walls for high moisture content, If I see moisture damage, of course it should be reported as such. When it comes to moisture intrusion, I am concerned about the interior of the building envelope, and I would check there if I see any signs.
One thing I would call out is the lack of weep holes, if that’s indeed the case.
Like Kevin, I never randomly check moisture content in surfaces. Spray from the hose connection or whatever in the recent past seems likely. A plumbing leak inside the wall will be chronic and ongoing. That kind of moisture nearly always shows efflorescence on the surface of the brick and mortar joints.
Like Michael said, you tested and found high moisture. Report it, acknowledge that source was undetermined, recommend further evaluation and move on, but it seems unlikely to be an internal leak.
Smart to do this. I would report exactly what you are indicating. Having no elevated readings at lower levels except where the spigot is located, should give you enough to call it out for further investigation. Even if that further investigation is to make sure no one turns on the hose (to get spray) on the bricks and then check in a couple of days… I’m with the others I only check for moisture if there are other signs because I don’t care how good the moisture meter is, it can steer you in a wrong direction if you are not careful. I would also be hitting this with the thermal to see what patterns I come up with and also at the interior.
