Frequently Asked Questions

Pin meters measure the electrical resistance between two metal pins pushed into the material — giving you the moisture content at the pin depth, ideal for spot-checking a specific layer.

Pinless (scanner) meters use a flat sensor pad and an electromagnetic signal to read moisture through the surface without leaving holes, so you can scan a large area quickly.

RH (relative humidity) meters measure the humidity inside a concrete slab (in-situ, per ASTM F2170) or in the surrounding air — the accepted method for deciding when concrete is ready for flooring.

It depends on what you measure most:

• Woodworking & flooring installers — a pinless scanner for fast, non-damaging surveys, or a pin meter when you need a reading at a specific depth.
• Building inspection & restoration — a dual pin/pinless instrument covers both finished surfaces and hidden areas.
• Concrete & slabs — an RH meter with in-situ probes.

Still unsure? Browse meters by type or contact us with your project details.

Yes. Many Lignomat meters include reference scales for wood plus building materials such as drywall, gypsum, and cementitious surfaces, and dual-technology models combine pin and pinless measuring in one tool. If you routinely test several materials, a multi-function meter saves carrying more than one instrument.

No. A pinless meter reads through a flat sensor plate resting on the surface, so it leaves no holes — a big advantage on finished furniture, flooring, and veneers. Pin meters leave two small pin holes, which is usually acceptable on framing or rough stock.

Pinless scanners read a volume of material below the sensor — commonly around 1/4″ to 3/4″ depending on the model and mode. The surface must be flat and smooth for full sensor contact, and the material should be thicker than the reading depth for an accurate result.

Reach for pins when you need the moisture content at a specific depth (using insulated depth-probe pins), when the surface is uneven or too narrow for a sensor pad, or when checking behind or inside an assembly. Pin and pinless readings complement each other — pinless to survey quickly, pins to confirm a suspect spot.

Used correctly and set to the right species or material scale, Lignomat meters deliver readings well within the tolerance needed for woodworking, flooring, and inspection work. Accuracy depends on good technique — proper species correction, firm sensor or pin contact, and letting the material reach a stable temperature.

Lignomat meters hold their calibration and do not require routine field calibration. To confirm a meter is working, use the built-in check or calibration reference supplied with your instrument. If readings ever seem off, verify the species/scale setting and battery first before assuming a calibration issue.

Moisture is rarely uniform. Edges, ends, and surfaces dry faster than the core; one board in a stack can differ from the next. That is normal — take several readings across a piece and use the pattern, not a single number. Large swings can also indicate a wet pocket worth investigating.

Different species have different densities and electrical properties, so the same amount of water reads differently in oak than in pine. Setting your meter to the correct species (or applying the species correction) converts the raw reading into true moisture content. Skipping this step is the most common cause of inaccurate readings.

Select the species or species group from the meter’s setting, or look up the correction value for your wood in the chart supplied with the instrument or in the manual. Once set, the meter displays corrected moisture content directly — no manual math needed.

It depends on where the wood will live. Interior furniture and flooring in a heated home typically stabilize around 6–9% MC, while exterior or unheated-space wood sits higher. The goal is to work wood at — and acclimate it to — the moisture content it will reach in service, so it does not shrink, swell, or cup afterward.

1. Set the correct species or material scale.
2. For pinless: press the sensor flat against a smooth spot with firm, even pressure and no rocking.
3. For pins: push both pins fully to the desired depth, in line with the grain.
4. Take several readings and note the range.
5. Let cold or hot material reach room temperature first for best results.

%MC is percent moisture content — the weight of water in the material compared with its bone-dry weight, expressed as a percentage. A reading of 8% MC means the water present equals 8% of the wood’s oven-dry weight.

Lignomat meters are covered by a manufacturer’s warranty against defects in materials and workmanship. Keep your proof of purchase, and see the documentation included with your meter for the full terms that apply to your model.

Lignomat services what it sells. For repairs, replacement pins and electrodes, or technical help, contact our team — support is based in the USA and happy to help you get accurate readings again.