Humiscan | Measure and record moisture levels in walls

The scientifically accepted method for accurately measuring moisture in walls is defined by the DIN standard. This method involves extracting a sample of at least 50 grams from the wall, weighing it, drying it completely and weighing it again. The difference between the two weights corresponds to the water present in the sample, allowing the percentage of water by weight in the wall to be calculated.

Although this method is precise, its main drawback is the need to drill deep holes to extract material at each measurement point, which can negatively affect the appearance of the walls.

To avoid drilling into walls and the tedious process of weighing and drying, Humitat-Stop has developed the Humiscan. This device is capable of tracking moisture levels in walls without any building work.

The Humiscan measures moisture in the wall between two screws inserted 10 cm into it, based on the resistivity between them. This means readings are not influenced by the electrical voltages caused by rising damp, as occurs with systems that measure resistance between two surface points, which are also heavily affected by salt deposits at the measurement points.

These readings are stored on your mobile phone via a free app that receives data from the Humiscan over Bluetooth. The stored data allows you to track moisture trends at multiple points within the same property, and for professionals to track moisture at different points across different properties, logging the date and time of each reading.

The Humiscan system is the most effective way to track the drying process in walls and floors without any building work. This method, already proven with the HS-PRO+ model, provides relative moisture level readings from the wall via a free mobile app.

The Humiscan not only measures moisture in walls but also records moisture readings at various points on the walls being monitored, thanks to its Bluetooth connection to a free mobile app developed by HUMITAT-STOP.

At each wall point you wish to monitor, two screws with metal wall plugs must be inserted 10 cm apart. These screws can be placed in discreet locations that do not affect the appearance and can be removed once moisture monitoring is complete.

The Humiscan runs on 4 AAA 1.5 VDC batteries (not included) and is switched on with a toggle that lights up a red indicator.

For data storage, a mobile device running Apple iOS or Android is used. Bluetooth connectivity must be enabled to establish communication with the Humiscan device.

The procedure for measuring moisture in walls is as follows:

1. If you have an Apple phone, open the Apple Store website, tap the search icon and type "HS-221". If you have an Android phone, go to Google Play and search for "HS-221". Alternatively, you can download the app directly to your phone using the appropriate QR code below for iOS (Apple) or Android.

   

   

2. You will see the app, represented by a small house with water droplets. Download it to your phone and then open it
3. At each wall point you wish to monitor, insert two screws (40 to 50 mm in length) together with metal wall plugs, to a minimum depth of 4 cm and spaced 10 cm apart. Connect the Humiscan to these screws using the cables with crocodile clips, as shown in the image.
   
4. Each time you need to take a reading or review data, tap the house icon to open the app. Make sure you switch on the Humiscan beforehand and that Bluetooth is enabled on your phone.
   
5. When your phone connects to the Humiscan via Bluetooth, a wall graphic like the one shown below will appear.
   
6. Tap "Connect" and another screen will appear asking you to enter the HS-221 device number, which can be found on the rating plate on the top or back of the unit. In this example we assume the number is 1234.
   
7. After tapping "OK", you will be asked to enter a label for each measurement point. You add a new measurement point tapint to the + sign.The label can be numbers such as 1, 2, 3, etc., or names like "dining room", "hallway" and so on. Tap "OK" to enter the test point.
   
8. Tap the point on the screen where the Humiscan is connected, and the corresponding relative moisture reading will be displayed. In this case, point 1 has been selected. The reading is shown in red for high values, orange for medium values and green for values within an acceptable range.
   
9. To take a new reading at another point, tap Disconnect or Exit and start the process again. You will be asked for the device number; if it is the same, tap OK and then select the desired measurement point. Otherwise, enter the new device number and then choose the point where the clips are connected.

The Humiscan is a portable device that runs on 4 AAA batteries and can track the drying progress of an HS-221 across up to 10 wall points.

Together with the mobile app, it can store data for up to 100 HS-221 units, with time-stamped readings at up to 10 points for each one. This is a major advantage for installers, as it simplifies the task of monitoring the drying progress of all installed HS-221 units.

Readings taken with the Humiscan and mobile are reliable, as they are largely unaffected by salt deposits in the water or the electrical voltages associated with rising damp. These conditions can distort the results of other devices that measure the electrical resistance of walls, such as those that use two probes pressed against the surface or a metal ball.

On walls with heavy efflorescence, it is advisable to scrape away the salt deposits from between and around the measurement screws.

The Humiscan measurement and recording device offers clear advantages over other wall moisture meters, including:

• 10-year warranty included.
• Free repairs during the warranty period.
• Fully portable system for measuring and recording moisture on any wall in the property.
• On/off switch with red confirmation indicator.
• Two output cables with crocodile clips, which attach to the two screws fixed into the walls where you wish to track the drying process.
• Relative moisture readings from the walls are transmitted via Bluetooth to a mobile phone running Apple iOS or Android, where they are logged with the date, measurement point number and HS-221 device number, allowing you to track the drying progress at each point and each installation.
• To aid monitoring, relative moisture figures are displayed in red if high, orange if moderate and green if already within acceptable levels.
• The Humiscan requires no maintenance.

Thanks to this system, you can determine whether your property has damp issues. With this information, you may also wish to learn how to remove damp from walls even without an electrical supply using a 12VDC 24W solar pannel.

At Humitat-Stop we are entirely confident in the reliability and durability of the Humiscan system. For your complete peace of mind, we include a 10-year warranty, with all repairs carried out free of charge during that period.

You can find full details by reading the conditions described in the warranty certificate and user manual.

The Humiscan is a device with proven effectiveness for measuring moisture in walls and register the evolution. Below are key recommendations for optimal use, designed to ensure accurate results and preserve the device's service life.

• Periodically remove any salt deposits that build up between the screws in the wall.
• Take regular readings via the mobile app to maintain active monitoring.
• Remove the bateries after a reading sesion if you will wait more than one month for the next reading.
• In the event of any operational issue, contact Humitat-Stop.

The drawback of the DIN method, which requires drilling a deep hole of 20 mm in diameter, has driven the development of electronic systems for measuring resistance. These systems provide reference tables that associate specific resistance values with different moisture percentages.

Such systems allow you to track moisture trends in the surface layer of the wall, although they do not provide a precise measurement of the actual moisture percentage. This is because resistance varies depending on both the moisture levels and the type of wall material and mortars used.

There are several types of device:

• Devices with two steel prongs that are pressed against the wall to give a surface resistance reading.
• Other devices have two steel tabs that are pressed against the wall to give a moisture reading based on the electrical resistance measured between them.
• A third type of device uses a metal ball that emits radio frequency signals. It is placed against the wall and measures its dielectric resistance, which can be considered effective to a depth of approximately 4 cm.

The readings from all three types of device depend on the resistivity at the point where they are placed on the wall. The water that rises through the pores of building materials commonly dissolves those materials and, as it evaporates at the surface, leaves a white residue known as efflorescence. This compound is highly conductive and has very low electrical resistance, which can completely distort the readings obtained. Therefore, these methods are only acceptable if all salt deposits are thoroughly scraped from the measurement areas beforehand.

A common problem with these types of device is that they do not record readings, so you must take notes on paper to track the drying progress. This is resolved by the Humiscan from HUMITAT STOP.

How can I purchase the Humiscan system?

If you wish to purchase the Humiscan device, please send a request by email to: info@humitat-stop.com. Within 24 hours, a pro-forma invoice detailing the price will be sent to you.

How long does delivery take?

We ship via MRW Express. You will receive your Humiscan device within 24 hours if you are on the Spanish mainland, and within 2 to 3 days for the Balearic Islands, the Canary Islands and countries in Europe or the Americas.

Can it be used to track all types of damp?

It is designed to track moisture within a wall, but it also detects surface-level damp.

What precautions should be taken before taking a reading?

Before taking a reading, it is advisable to remove any salt deposits from around the screws inserted in the wall, by wiping with a cloth or scrubbing with a wire brush.

Does it require maintenance?

It requires no maintenance or replacement parts, and is repaired free of charge for 10 years. It is a portable device powered by 1.5 V AAA batteries. We recommend removing the batteries after each measurement session, bearing in mind that intervals between readings may exceed 2 months.

Can anyone use it?

Yes. It is simple to use and hassle-free. Simply insert the batteries into the compartment, flick the switch (a red indicator lights up), and connect the two cables between the device and the two wall screws using the crocodile clips. On your phone, open the downloaded app, tap it, and the screens will appear as described above.

Is it available on Amazon or other marketplaces?

No. To ensure proper installation, follow-up and guaranteed results, purchases are made directly from Humitat-Stop or authorised distributors, who will advise you whenever you need assistance.