RH is the Enigmatic Measure of Moisture

What is the Best Measure of Moisture?

Moisture is an enigma. That’s especially true when it comes to water damage.

Relative Humidity (RH) performs as a crucial indicator of moisture while supplementing this with other moisture metrics enables comprehensive water damage assessments.

RH – A Primer

• RH is a ratio of the amount of water vapor in the air to the maximum amount of water vapor the air can hold at a given temperature.
• The maximum amount of water vapor air can hold increases as the temperature increases.
• RH is expressed as a percentage.
• RH can be measured using a hygrometer.

Why is RH Important for Water Damage?

• RH can affect the rate at which water damage occurs.
• High RH can cause condensation, which can lead to mold growth.
• Low RH can cause evaporation, which can lead to cracks in wood and other materials.

Other Moisture Metrics

• Moisture content (MC) is the amount of water in a material expressed as a percentage of the material’s weight.
• Dew point is the temperature at which water vapor in the air condenses into liquid water.

Using RH and Other Metrics to Assess Water Damage

No single moisture metric can provide a complete picture of water damage. By combining RH with other metrics, a more comprehensive assessment can be made.

Here are some examples of how RH and other metrics can be used together:

• RH and MC can be used to determine the extent of water damage in a material.
• RH and dew point can be used to determine the likelihood of condensation.

Conclusion

Taking your knowledge of the measure of moisture a step further into its’ RH phase allows you to better understand moisture when it comes to water damage and how to assess it.