Dri-Eaz HydroSensor II Moisture Probe

The Dri-Eaz HydroSensor II maps the migration of water in carpet and pad without straining your back.

The HydroSensor II has a collapsible shaft that extends to 31 inches to save your knees and posture. Sensitive nickel-plated points alert you to moisture content above 17 percent.

• Extends to 78 cm for use.
• Collapses to 53 cm for storage.
• Stainless steel construction.
• Nickel-plated, retractable points.

Length note: 31 in. is 787 mm; Dri-Eaz's product page gives 79 cm extended. The difference from the 78 cm above is rounding, not a different probe.

How It Works

The HydroSensor Moisture Probe is designed to detect moisture in carpets, cushion, floors, walls, and furniture. When the probe tips on the HydroSensor are pushed into materials to penetrate the surface, an electric current is sent between the probes. The amount of moisture present in the material determines how easily the electrical current passes from one probe to the other.

When moisture is present in a material, the light on the HydroSensor will flash and the transducer will beep. This will occur at a varying rate (slower or faster flash and beep) depending on the amount of moisture present.

The 2.2 cm probe tips are long enough to penetrate shag carpets, cushion, and flooring materials. With care, the HydroSensor can also be used to find moisture in furniture, walls, and ceiling materials.

The HydroSensor will also detect the presence of urine residues in carpet and cushion. This is because urine salts attract and hold enough moisture to be detected. A black-light is recommended to confirm that urine is present.

Using It

1. Extend the shaft: grasp the smaller-diameter tube and slide it out until the spring button pops into place.
2. Extend the sensor points: loosen the black plastic knob, push it down and around the S-shaped slot, then tighten it to lock the points in position.
3. Test the unit by placing your fingers across the points. The indicator lamp lights and the unit beeps.
4. Probe the suspected wet area. Flashing and beeping means the carpet and/or underlay is wet; a faster rate means more moisture.
5. Do not force the probe. Excess force can damage the tips or the telescoping tubes.
6. Retract the points into the shaft whenever the probe is not in use.

Safety: the sensor points are extremely sharp. Take care when collapsing the shaft so the points do not extend by accident. Always retract them before carrying or storing the probe.

Carpet and Underlay, or Other Materials?

Dri-Eaz's owner's manual says that, with care, the HydroSensor can also be used to find moisture in furniture, walls and ceiling materials. Dri-Eaz's current product page says it is for use on carpet and pad only, and CCW recommends the same.

The reason is what the probe measures. It is a wet/dry indicator with a single alarm point (moisture content above 17 per cent), not a moisture meter that gives a reading you can record and compare. For timber, plasterboard and masonry, and for any reading that goes into a drying log or insurance report, use a moisture meter such as the Delmhorst BDX-20.

Specifications

Length and weight are from the Dri-Eaz owner's manual. The alarm point is from Dri-Eaz's product page.

Care, Tips and Battery

• After each use, clean and dry the probe with a soft cloth.
• If the probe tips become dull, they can be resharpened with a file. If they are worn out, a replacement point set is available from Dri-Eaz (part 12-00085) — it is not listed online, so ask us.
• The probe runs on one general-purpose 9 V battery inside the handle, below the indicator light. If the light no longer comes on, remove the small screws holding the handle halves together, split the handle gently, fit a new battery, and refit the screws without pinching the wires or overtightening.
• Battery life depends on use and storage. Do not leave the tips in contact with metal, damp cloth, carpet, water, cork or anything else that conducts electricity — the probe will keep drawing current.

Warranty

Legend Brands' limited warranty for Dri-Eaz moisture instruments covers the original purchaser for one year from the date of purchase on parts and labour, for products bought from an authorised distributor. Consumable and wear items, including batteries, are excluded. The full terms are in the warranty document below; talk to us first if you have a problem with your probe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does it give a moisture percentage?

No. It alarms when moisture content is above 17 per cent, and the flash and beep rate increases with moisture. Use it to find and map the wet edge, then use a moisture meter for recorded readings.

Why pay extra for the collapsible shaft?

Storage. The HydroSensor II folds to 21 in. (533 mm), so it fits a kit box or a small van. The fixed-shaft HydroSensor I has fewer moving parts if it lives on a truck and gets used all day.

Can it find urine in carpet?

It responds to urine residues because urine salts hold enough moisture to register. Confirm with a black light, such as the SOS UV Black Light Kit, before quoting urine treatment.

What battery does it take?

One general-purpose 9 V battery, fitted inside the handle. One is included.

The light has stopped working — is it faulty?

Check the battery first. Test by placing your fingers across the points: if the lamp does not light with a fresh battery, contact us with the model number from the product label.

Documents

• Owner’s Manual — HydroSensor I & II, models F245 and F251. Document 07-00315 Rev. F.
• Parts Breakdown — covers F245, F245-SM, F245-SP, F251, F251-SM and F251-SP.
• Limited Warranty — Dri-Eaz moisture instruments, Legend Brands.

Parts and service

The parts breakdown above is the correct one for this meter, covering the F245 and F251 in all variants.

If you are unsure which meter you have, the model number is on the product label. Send it to us and we will confirm the right part before anything is ordered.

• Replacement handle — fits F245 and F251 (Dri-Eaz part 12-01408)
• Thumb screw — fits F245 and F251 (Dri-Eaz part 03-00152, the slide knob that locks the points)
• Point set assembly (Dri-Eaz part 12-00085) — ask us

Related Products

• Dri-Eaz HydroSensor I Moisture Probe (F245)
• SOS UV Black Light Kit
• Dri-Eaz Moisture Meters
• Water Damage & Fire Damage Restoration Accessories

Not sure whether the fixed or collapsible shaft suits how you work? Ask us — we stock both.