TIL a cheap moisture meter cost me a full day's work | Flooring Installers

Sean Singh · 2026-03-14T23:00:06.802057+00:00

I picked up a $40 meter from a big box store for a glue down vinyl job last month, and it gave me a false dry reading on a concrete slab. The adhesive failed in two spots after install, and I had to pull up about 200 square feet to let it dry properly. What's a good, reliable brand you all trust for checking subfloors?

claire8726mo ago

My Wagner meter gave me a false 3.8% reading last year, cost me a whole hallway. I mean, those cheap ones are just a gamble.

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max_brown6mo ago

Yeah jamesf29, those cheap ones can lie even if you test a bunch of spots.

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mary_nelson715mo ago

My contractor swears by the Protimeter brand for accurate moisture readings.

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jamesf296mo ago

Man that's a brutal way to learn a lesson... did you test in multiple spots or just go by one reading from that cheap meter? I've heard those can be way off depending on where you point them. What are you looking at now to replace it?

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