How to check the moisture content of wood without a meter

Methods for Determining Wood Moisture Content

Without a specialized moisture meter, several methods can be employed to approximate the moisture content of wood:

Visual Inspection

• Color: Drier wood tends to be lighter in color.
• Checks and Splits: Excessive moisture can cause cracks known as checks or splits.
• Warpage: Wet wood is more susceptible to warping or bending.
• Cupping: The edges of a wet board may curl or cup upwards.

Touch Test

• Feel for moisture on the surface of the wood.
• Press your thumb into the wood gently; dry wood will offer some resistance while wet wood will yield easily.

Weight Test

• Weigh a small piece of the wood.
• Dry it thoroughly in an oven or under direct sunlight.
• Reweigh the dry wood and calculate the percentage weight loss as an approximation of moisture content.

Sound Test

• Tap or knock on the wood.
• Dry wood typically produces a higher-pitched sound than wet wood.

It’s crucial to note that these methods provide only rough estimates and should not be relied upon for critical applications. For accurate and precise moisture readings, a moisture meter is highly recommended.