I hear you on the cheap meters. I picked one up when we had a mystery smell in our laundry room, thinking I’d play detective. It basically just beeped at anything damp, including my hand after washing dishes. Didn’t help much with the hidden stuff. Ended up borrowing a higher-end Protimeter from a buddy—night and day difference, but those things are pricey. I wish there was a solid mid-range option too, but so far it feels like you either go full pro or just cross your fingers and hope for the best. Maybe someone’s cracked the code, but I haven’t found it yet...
Honestly, I’ve run into the same issue with those bargain meters—they’re basically glorified moisture alarms. The pro-grade ones like Protimeter are in a different league, but yeah, the price is tough to swallow unless you’re using it all the time. I’ve tried a couple of mid-range brands (General Tools, Extech), and while they’re better than the cheapies, they still miss hidden moisture behind drywall or under flooring. If you’re dealing with water damage from a burst pipe, I’d argue it’s worth renting or borrowing a pro meter for a day or two. It’s not just about finding wet spots—it’s about making sure you don’t leave anything behind that’ll turn into mold later. Sometimes spending a bit more upfront saves you a ton down the line.
