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If the question is what do you use to measure MOISTURE, then the answer is a Moisture Meter. A type of moisture meter, the hygrometer, measures humidity and temperature. The moisture content of wood, hay, concrete, paper, leather, veneer, and cardboardand a great many things is critical to how these materials cure over time. For example, hardwood will split or crack (called "checking") if the wood acquires and releases moisture too quickly.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture says "

If the wood is too wet when it is put into place, it will eventually dry to a moisture content approximating

that of the conditions under which it is used. This drying in place will be accompanied

by shrinkage.

In a house, this shrinkage may cause loosening of fastenings and settling of the building with resulting

plaster cracks, drywall nail popping, and unsightly openings around trim and moldings. Excessive

shrinking of studs, sheathing, and siding decreases the weather-tightness of walls, loosens

fastenings, and may reduce the mechanical stiffness of walls.

If wood is dried too far below the average moisture content it will reach in use, swelling may

cause drawers, windows, and doors to stick.

Concrete will fail if it does not maintain proper moisture content while curing. Greenhouse plants do poorly under improper moisture (humidity) levels. If you have ever had firewood that would not burn properly, it is most likely due to having too much moisture content.

Moisture content is typically monitored by hand-held moisture meters although there are permanently installed sensors (such as inside large HVAC systems) to provide constant monitoring.

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14y ago

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