Building moisture content certification system and method

• US 9,213,023 B2
• Filed: 07/16/2003
• Issued: 12/15/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Savanah Intellectual Property LLC
• Original Assignee: Savannah IP, Inc.
• Inventors: Weisenberger, Andrew R., Weisenberger, Robert A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams, Hezron E
• Assistant Examiner(s): Frank, Rodney T
• Application Number:
  US10/621,860
• Publication Number:
  US 20050011255A1
• Time in Patent Office: 4,535 Days
• Field of Search: 73/73, 324/640
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/38 Concrete; Lime; Mortar; Gypsum; Bricks; Ceramics; Glass
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/46 Wood
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/018 Certifying business or products

Abstract

A moisture content level certification system and method involves taking moisture content measurements within a structure and issuing a certificate of moisture content level. Moisture content level pass/failure certifications may also be issued.

Claims

1. A method for certifying a moisture content level, comprising:

measuring, with a moisture meter, moisture content at a plurality of interior locations within a building;

comparing the measured moisture content with a threshold moisture content level;

drying, with at least one drying device, a space of the building in order to reduce the moisture content at the plurality of interior locations, wherein the at least one drying device is located within the building while drying the space; and

measuring, with the moisture meter, moisture content at one or more of the plurality of interior locations to confirm that the moisture content is below the threshold moisture content level.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining a construction stage where the moisture content was introduced to the plurality of interior locations, based at least in part on the measured moisture content.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

measuring a temperature at the plurality of interior locations;

measuring a relative humidity at the plurality of interior locations; and

determining grains per pound of moisture content at the plurality of interior locations based, at least in part, on the measured temperature and the measured relative humidity, wherein comparing the measured moisture content comprises comparing the grains per pound of moisture content with the threshold moisture content level.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the space of the building is surrounded by a vapor barrier prior to using the at least one drying device to remove the moisture content.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the at least one drying device is located within the vapor barrier while drying the space.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of interior locations comprise a window frame and a door frame.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of interior locations comprise at least one exposed wall stud.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the plurality of interior locations comprise both a high location of the at least one exposed wall stud and a low location of the at least one exposed wall stud.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the high location is near a ceiling or near a roof of the space.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the low location is near a floor of the space.

11. A system, comprising:

means for measuring moisture content at a plurality of interior locations within a building;

means for comparing the measured moisture content with a threshold moisture content level associated with a moisture content level certification; and

means for drying a space of the building in order to reduce the moisture content at the plurality of interior locations, wherein the means for drying is located within the building while the space is being dried, and wherein at least one of the plurality of interior locations is again measured for moisture content to confirm that the moisture content is below the threshold moisture content level.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the space comprises the building, and wherein the building is substantially sealed relative to outside of the building.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the space comprises one or more rooms of the building, and wherein the one or more rooms are substantially sealed relative to other rooms of the building.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the means for drying is entirely located within the space.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the means for drying comprises means for drying, prior to said measuring, the space of the building in a first drying operation, and wherein the moisture content is measured after the first drying operation is completed.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the means for comparing comprises means for determining whether a second drying operation is required in order to further reduce the moisture content.

17. The system of claim 11, wherein the means for measuring comprises means for measuring the moisture content at multiple locations of at least one exposed wall stud in the space.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the multiple locations comprise both a high location of the at least one exposed wall stud and a low location of the at least one exposed wall stud.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the high location is near a ceiling or near a roof of the space.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein the low location is near a floor of the space.