NON-INVASIVE MOISTURE INSPECTION (MOISTURE SCAN) - STANDARD PROCEDURE.
Non-Invasive Internal Moisture Inspection (Moisture Scan or Test) is based on non-invasive moisture measurements and is performed according to the attached Procedure. The moisture meter used during the inspection will be identified on the photo attached to the scanning result. Scan/ test results reflect the current condition of the areas/elements tested on a particular day of inspection.
The standard Procedure is to inspect all and each outside facing walls, room by room, starting by taking a photo of each room to be inspected and then scanning or measuring predefined areas and publishing the highest reading in each room in the report, with a comment if applicable.
STEPS:
General rooms:
* Visually scan each room's ceiling, walls and floors for signs of moisture damage (i.e. discolouration, mould, etc.)
* Moisture test all areas where signs of moisture stains and/or damage were noted.
* Moisture test all outside facing walls around window and external door openings (bottom corners only).
* Report on all areas where signs of moisture stains and/or damage were noted with images and comments.
* Report on all areas where ELEVATED/ HIGH readings were noted with images and comments.
Wet areas - Bathrooms and Toilets:
* Visually scan each room's ceiling, walls and floors for signs of moisture damage (i.e. discolouration, mould, etc.)
* Moisture test all areas where signs of moisture stains and/or damage were noted.
* Moisture test all outside facing walls around window and external door openings (bottom corners only).
* Moisture test all areas where pipes penetrate the wall.
* Moisture test shower bottom corners where the shower meets the wall.
* Moisture test all interior walls adjacent to any shower/bath (if accessible).
* Report all areas where signs of moisture stains and/or damage were noted with images and comments.
* Report on all areas where ELEVATED/ HIGH readings were noted with images and comments
Report Page Sample
ACCESSIBILITY:
No owner/occupier items (i.e. furniture, etc.) are moved, and nothing is dismounted for the purposes of the inspection.
Areas below are expressively excluded from inspecting:
* any area where we do not have direct access or a clear line of sight (i.e. any areas covered by furniture or structures such as cupboards, etc);
* any area that can not be reached with a handheld moisture meter without the use of props (i.e high ceiling, areas behind of made bed etc.);
* any area that can not be reached because of the risk of damaging owner/occupier's goods (i.e. behind free-standing TV, sculpture, pot plants, etc.);
* any area that was not accessible at the time of our investigation (i.e. locked rooms, rooms excluded from an inspection by client or vendor/occupier).
It is strongly recommended to invite an inspector to assist the purchaser with the final inspection when the house is empty, and all previously inaccessible areas can be visually inspected and scanned with a moisture meter.
INTERPRETING THE SCANNING RESULTS:
NO ELEVATIONS - readings obtained at this particular area are consistent with "dry" locations throughout the house.
ELEVATED - readings obtained at this particular area are slightly higher in comparison with "dry" locations throughout the house.
HIGH – readings obtained at this particular area are sharply higher in comparison with "dry" locations throughout the house
Because this is a limited inspection, we can make no guarantee, expressed or implied, that our observations and random moisture readings offer conclusive evidence that no moisture problems exist, or that problems found are all-inclusive and is not a guarantee that no moisture issues exist or that issues will not develop in future.
WHAT IS INCLUDED AND WHAT IS NOT:
Only areas and elements accessible as described above are inspected and reported on in a manner described in this Procedure. Nothing else is included - no other tests, scans or inspections will be performed or reported on. We will strongly advise the client not to rely on a non-invasive moisture inspection as a one-only, stand-alone, or final inspection in the process of buying the house and to use other available inspections and council files search before making a final decision; consult with your legal aid to learn more.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
- Due to the limited nature of this inspection, some areas could be missed; therefore, to obtain more accurate results about the state of a house - the following inspections might be needed: Thermal Imaging Scan, Full Moisture Inspection, including Invasive tests, Full Weathertightness inspection including invasive cuts out.
- "Occupied houses" - due to vendor's belongings, only readily accessible areas were inspected and therefore, further investigation of concealed areas might be needed.
READ THIS CAREFULLY:
Whilst during the course of this inspection, all due care is taken with respect to all elements of non-invasive moisture scan testing protocol, it is not practically possible to be certain that moisture-related problems do not exist, even when elevated or high readings were not recorded during the inspection.
A non-invasive moisture scan, which is included as part of a general house inspection, has many known potential limitations, including, but not limited to, moisture meter reading depth, weather conditions, obstructions and concealed spaces. Sometimes, the vendor 'masking' the problem can result in a false 'passed' result.
Therefore, it is essential to pay attention to any elements identified in the 'Particular Attributes' section of the report, as these elements have been identified as having a high risk of potential moisture ingress.
Also, because these highlighted elements may only allow adequate deflection or drainage of water if particular care is taken, these areas are considered high-level maintenance areas requiring constant monitoring.
The presence of any of these elements mentioned above may indicate the need for further inspections, such as a full non-invasive scan, an Invasive moisture test in identified areas, a Thermal Imaging Scan or a specific full Weathertightness inspection and report.
Potential damage to structures from moisture-related issues can cause a significant loss of value regarding a property. It is thus always advisable to further investigate highlighted elements and surrounding areas. In the event of purchasing a property with no cavity monolithic cladding, a full weather-tightness report is highly advised.
Some examples:
Bedroom. General Photo, Photo of Highest reading and it's location.
Bathroom. General Photo, Photo of a shower area, Highest reading