# Moisture? How serious? Don't want to scare the buyer **URL:** \ **Category:** General Inspection Topics\ **Created:** [May 4, 2026, 8:13pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/moisture-how-serious-dont-want-to-scare-the-buyer/267267 "2026-05-04T20:13:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![ejenkins6](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/ejenkins6/32/319761_2.png) [@ejenkins6](https://forum.nachi.org/u/ejenkins6)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2026, 12:14am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/moisture-how-serious-dont-want-to-scare-the-buyer/267267/21 "2026-05-05T00:14:39Z")
From the manual "To measure the moisture level of a material, power on the meter into the HIGHscale and place the test pins on the material." “Never use force to drive the pins into a hard surface.” ---
**Author:** ![bcawhern1](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/bcawhern1/32/408713_2.png) [@bcawhern1](https://forum.nachi.org/u/bcawhern1)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2026, 12:20am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/moisture-how-serious-dont-want-to-scare-the-buyer/267267/22 "2026-05-05T00:20:12Z")
What manual are you reading? I am happy to be corrected. Your meter ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/4X/0/4/c/04c352ecc47ba155a2f47afae29f99ea7c73019c.png) Your manual > **[B002YDGUWS.pdf](https://manuals.plus/asin/B002YDGUWS.pdf)** ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/4X/b/3/2/b327131ea23ece502da27f359063da95dee17394.png) ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/4X/f/8/5/f858bc1e195b6d053721556ee407ab62e0200577.png) ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/4X/f/1/3/f130fed719fcdbfa53de6353812b60f91e496fd0.png) ---
**Author:** ![lkage](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/lkage/32/347658_2.png) [@lkage](https://forum.nachi.org/u/lkage)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2026, 12:35am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/moisture-how-serious-dont-want-to-scare-the-buyer/267267/23 "2026-05-05T00:35:20Z")
> [@ejenkins6](#): > > What pineless meter would you recommend? I used [this one](https://www.amazon.com/Tramex-MEP-Moisture-Encounter-Meter/dp/B0052P49B4/ref=sr_1_7?tag=nachi02-20) for many years and it is still working great. You can see the newer version below it, too. ---
**Author:** ![ejenkins6](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/ejenkins6/32/319761_2.png) [@ejenkins6](https://forum.nachi.org/u/ejenkins6)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2026, 12:36am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/moisture-how-serious-dont-want-to-scare-the-buyer/267267/24 "2026-05-05T00:36:15Z")
> **[MM1E-Manual\_EFS\_GT\_112916.pdf](https://generaltools.com/media/sparsh/product_attachment/MM1E-Manual_EFS_GT_112916.pdf)** > > 630.97 KB ---
**Author:** ![megbert2](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/megbert2/32/424064_2.png) [@megbert2](https://forum.nachi.org/u/megbert2)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2026, 1:00am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/moisture-how-serious-dont-want-to-scare-the-buyer/267267/25 "2026-05-05T01:00:01Z")
For what it’s worth I had that same meter quite a while ago before inspecting. It would give weird inconsistent readings all the time. General Tools stuff is fine for Harry homeowner, but I’d never use their meters for a home inspection. ---
**Author:** ![bcawhern1](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/bcawhern1/32/408713_2.png) [@bcawhern1](https://forum.nachi.org/u/bcawhern1)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2026, 1:01am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/moisture-how-serious-dont-want-to-scare-the-buyer/267267/26 "2026-05-05T01:01:15Z")
Yours ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/4X/b/6/7/b678c531e397ed4ba72652bdf122d5f7df836752.png) Mine ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/4X/4/e/f/4efe1dffd446a3ff90279c798aaa2105ef3360b6.png) I can see how you came to that conclusion! But the manual is wrong, poorly written and has been updated. Also, the hard surface it is referring to is masonry or similar. ---
**Author:** ![jmckee](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/jmckee/32/211009_2.png) [@jmckee](https://forum.nachi.org/u/jmckee)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2026, 3:38am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/moisture-how-serious-dont-want-to-scare-the-buyer/267267/27 "2026-05-05T03:38:29Z")
> [@ejenkins6](#): > > What pineless meter would you recommend? I used the protimeter aquant for many years with good results… ---
**Author:** ![ryoung7](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/ryoung7/32/188798_2.png) [@ryoung7](https://forum.nachi.org/u/ryoung7)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2026, 4:32am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/moisture-how-serious-dont-want-to-scare-the-buyer/267267/28 "2026-05-05T04:32:46Z")
> [@ejenkins6](#): > > Tested positive but an inch away did not test positive. Thermal image did not show any anomaly. Curious how other’s might report this? Morning Edwin. Pleasure to meet you. How would I report this is not that simple. The ventilation should be inspected from the fan to the exterior vent to insure the fan is sized properly and the vent is operative and there is no backdraft or blockage. This is how I would report findings after I illuminate venting issues. _ **Dotted Stains in Bathrooms & the adjoining closet between both bathrooms tested for low moisture content.** _ No infrared anomalies. (That eliminated ducting issues) if done properly. Suspect: Insufficient ventilation during showering or bathing . Bathroom Ventilation Fans should be operated during and between 15 to 30 minutes after showering or bathing. From Broan: _[The Home Ventilating Institute recommends that a fan should be left on for 20 minutes more to clear humidity adequately and to ensure moisture and condensation in the fan body or ducting is minimized.](https://help.broan-nutone.com/en/bath-fans/How-long-should-a-bath-fan-run-after-a-shower-is-used-6729)_ Suspect Cause: Warm moist air vapors, from bathing or showering, rise to the ceiling. When incontact with a cool ceiling surface, the warm air releases its moisture and condenses into tiny droplets that build up and leave unsightly or “dots," or water stains or streaks. Recommendations: A: Clean and Monitor both bathroom and closet ceilings. B: Run the bathroom ventilation fans ‘as required’ by the manufacturers. C: Further evaluation of the bathroom ventilation system by a licensed ventilation contactor if staining continues to improve overall air quality. Act upon any recommendations therein. ---
**Author:** ![ryoung7](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/ryoung7/32/188798_2.png) [@ryoung7](https://forum.nachi.org/u/ryoung7)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2026, 4:45am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/moisture-how-serious-dont-want-to-scare-the-buyer/267267/29 "2026-05-05T04:45:31Z")
> [@ejenkins6](#): > > Yes operational. Yes good draw. Standard size. No timers. One thought I had was they aren’t used enough and moisture builds up. This is an easy one. Stop overthinking. Are the fans operated as required by the sellers? How could you know? Ask the vender how they operate the bathroom ventilation. Smile and be pleasant. Explain it is not a trick question. ---
**Author:** ![rbleich](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/rbleich/32/423577_2.png) [@rbleich](https://forum.nachi.org/u/rbleich)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2026, 11:18am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/moisture-how-serious-dont-want-to-scare-the-buyer/267267/30 "2026-05-05T11:18:28Z")
> [@mwilles](#): > > Maybe you can upload a photo to the chat tds thing ChatTDS requires you to enter the CAPTCHA code. It’s always the same code. 🤷‍♂️ ![IMG_7645](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/4X/1/d/6/1d624188943da1f1f4f5d0028bcf47d535031db5.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![spatterson5](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/spatterson5/32/195461_2.png) [@spatterson5](https://forum.nachi.org/u/spatterson5)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2026, 12:43pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/moisture-how-serious-dont-want-to-scare-the-buyer/267267/31 "2026-05-05T12:43:42Z")
You need a scanning meter, not a pin meter. That little meter is just not trustworthy enough for the work we do. General is not known to be a good brand. This is a bathroom, and bathroom drywall ceilings tend to retain more moisture due to daily fixture use. Those spots are not from moisture; more likely from hair products on hair as it dried with a blow dryer, or who knows from what else! ---
**Author:** ![bcawhern1](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/bcawhern1/32/408713_2.png) [@bcawhern1](https://forum.nachi.org/u/bcawhern1)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2026, 1:07pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/moisture-how-serious-dont-want-to-scare-the-buyer/267267/32 "2026-05-05T13:07:55Z")
James Comey is like ![giphy](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/4X/7/5/c/75c314c3bcf20646d6007aadeb269399133f4714.gif) ---
**Author:** ![clambrecht2](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/clambrecht2/32/339981_2.png) [@clambrecht2](https://forum.nachi.org/u/clambrecht2)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2026, 1:29pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/moisture-how-serious-dont-want-to-scare-the-buyer/267267/33 "2026-05-05T13:29:16Z")
Those stains look like surfactant leaching. ---
**Author:** ![lhenderson2](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/lhenderson2/32/58205_2.png) [@lhenderson2](https://forum.nachi.org/u/lhenderson2)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2026, 3:07pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/moisture-how-serious-dont-want-to-scare-the-buyer/267267/34 "2026-05-05T15:07:53Z")
Generally, the point (joke intended) of a pin meter is to insert pins for accurate measurement. The location of your measurements next to the ceiling appliances makes me wonder if you might be getting some erroneous measurements from metal flashing or fins on the appliances. [Previous page](https://forum.nachi.org/t/moisture-how-serious-dont-want-to-scare-the-buyer/267267.md?page=1)