The Wagner C555—The Best, Most Accurate Concrete Moisture Meter in 2024

No one wants any part of the flooring process to fail. Using a good concrete moisture meter can help you make sure the slab won’t be the cause of any moisture-related damage.

Assessing the moisture condition of a concrete slab is a major key to flooring success, whether the slab will be covered with a flooring product or not.

And ignoring the moisture assessment step is a great way to set yourself up for a lot of headaches in the future.

Just imagine: failed adhesives, warped wood floors, mold growth, and more. Having to redo the job on your own dime. Neither you nor your client wants any of that trouble.

But an accurate concrete moisture meter can help you avoid these problems altogether.

Wagner has been an expert in the moisture assessment industry for years, proudly creating the most accurate and reliable moisture assessment tools available. This includes the C555 pinless concrete moisture meter.

And you’re about to learn:

Let’s start with the questions that probably concern you the most: Why is the C555 the best choice for assessing concrete moisture content, and what makes it stand out from the competition?

Why You Should Choose the C555 Concrete Moisture Meter

The short answer: The C555 is simply more accurate and more user-friendly than any other concrete moisture meter you can currently purchase.

But let’s break this down a little further:

  • How the C555 is more accurate than its competitors
  • Additional features that make the C555 the best choice for concrete moisture meter

How the C555 concrete moisture meter is more accurate than competitors

The C555 concrete moisture meter gives readings roughly twice as accurate as any other concrete moisture meter on the market.

How?

In product testing, we took moisture readings from slabs of nine common mix designs and compared them to the oven-dry standard. With the C555, the difference between its readings and the oven-dry results was half that of competing meters, making it twice as accurate. In other words, the competing meters gave readings with twice the amount of discrepancy from the true readings.

And not only is the C555’s technology superior to the concrete moisture meters of other industry leaders, it’s also the only concrete moisture meter that comes with a calibration block. So you’ll have the convenience of on-demand calibration, allowing you to feel even more confident about the readings you’re given.

The C555 comes with everything you need to comply with the ASTM F2659 guide.

And while accuracy is certainly the most important quality in a concrete moisture meter, that’s not the only thing that makes the C555 stand out.

Other features that make the C555 the best choice for concrete moisture meter

The C555 has features that many other competing meters don’t offer in standard models—only in their higher-end models. For example, our meters include sensors for ambient temperature and relative humidity, while many standard models of other meters don’t.

  • Longevity. The C555 has an abrasion-resistant Teflon sensor pad, which is much more durable and scratch-resistant than a typical sensor plate. Plus, the protective rubber boot on the sensor keeps it from incurring major damage if dropped.
  • Easier to read. The C555’s digital backlit display makes it easier to read regardless of lighting.
  • Keeps you alert. This meter’s audio threshold alarm makes sure you don’t miss when your readings go over the acceptable threshold.
  • Check for moisture in more than just concrete. The C555’s relative mode allows you to compare moisture levels in brick, cement, and gypsum.

Above all, the C555 is extremely easy to use while also saving you time. You’ll be able to quickly scan concrete and get a more accurate moisture content reading than you would with any other concrete moisture meter.

The bonus? If the manufacturer states that they will warranty their product based only on the meter reading, this could be the only moisture assessment you chose to use. And in that case, you’d definitely want to make sure you’re able to get the most accurate moisture content readings you can, which the C555 can deliver. (Though it’s important to note that the ASTM standard still says that these meter readers should be used as a method to determine where to place more tests.)

We could keep talking about the C555’s unmatchable accuracy and ease of use, but what you really want to know is how other customers like you feel about this product.

“This is great. Measure[s] the moisture in a concrete slab, and it seems very reliable. I am very happy with this purchase, and it’s a great value compared to the other meters on the market.”
-“Drew” (online customer)

“I am an inspector and use it to test the moisture content of concrete slabs mostly. I have used the Tramex meter in the past. This one is more affordable so I took a chance and am happy I did. I actually like the way it works better and the accuracy seems comparable. I would definitely recommend this meter.”
-“Coach K” (online customer)1

So you don’t have to just take our word for it. Customers who buy this meter like it. It’s as simple as that.

Now that you know why you should pick the C555, let’s talk about when to use the C555 to make your workflow more efficient.

When to Use Your C555 Meter

The C555 comes with everything you need to comply with the ASTM F2659 standard, including on-demand calibration.

When exactly should you use your C555 concrete moisture meter?

Simple: Whenever you want the most accurate concrete MC% readings, and your job situation doesn’t allow for using the Rapid RH.

But there are also a few specific scenarios when using a concrete moisture meter is a must.

Let’s go over them.

1. Whenever you want a pre-assessment of a concrete slab

When placing in-situ relative humidity sensor probes into the slab, you want them in the places that will give you the best overall measurements. So you’ll also want to determine if certain parts of the slab seem to be drying faster or slower than other spots.

Once again, the C555 can help. Use this quick, nondestructive meter to identify the wettest spots in your concrete slab, and then place your relative humidity sensors in those spots. We recommend the RapidRH L6 sensors for the most accurate measurements.

2. Whenever you need relative measurements of other materials

When used in relative mode, the C555 can help you make qualitative assessments of other materials. Cement, brick, and gypsum are just a few examples of materials where you can identify a moisture issue using your C555.

3. Whenever the manufacturer specifies to use a concrete moisture meter

Depending on the manufacturer of the flooring materials you’re working with, you’ll want to be careful to note what their warranties require regarding the concrete slab. Many may require more than one method of concrete moisture assessment, with a moisture meter being used alongside additional methods.

However, some manufacturers will accept a moisture meter reading as the sole indicator of the moisture condition of the concrete slab (even though the ASTM standard requires more).

If that’s the case, and your only testing method will be using a concrete moisture meter, you want to use the best meter available. The pinless C555 will provide an accurate scan of a smooth concrete surface.

4. If you are in a country that doesn’t require relative humidity testing

While there are relative humidity testing requirements in the United States, other countries require different levels of assessment. If you are in the UK, for example, you may need to use a concrete moisture meter. And for the reasons you’ve seen, the C555 is the most reliable option.

Next let’s go over some tips on maintaining your concrete moisture meter and extending its life.

Taking Care of Your C555

If you’ve added the C555 concrete moisture meter to your arsenal, here are some ways to prolong its lifespan and ensure the accuracy of each moisture measurement.

Make sure you are using the C555 to assess smooth surfaces

Not only will this increase the longevity of the Teflon sensor pad, but it will also ensure the most accurate reading.

But whenever the Teflon sensor pad becomes scratched, Wagner Meters does offer repairs!

Calibrate your meter

This is easy with the C555, since it’s the only concrete moisture meter that provides everything you need for on-demand calibration.

Once calibrated, the meter should stay calibrated. However, if the meter is mishandled, dropped, or otherwise fails to produce an accurate reading, simply use the provided On-Demand Calibrator to recalibrate.

You deserve the best concrete moisture meter

Any experienced builder, contractor, or installer will agree that while it’s important to have good materials and good plans, what ultimately makes a project successful is the quality of work put into it.

And to protect the quality of your work, you need to be sure about the moisture condition of the concrete slab. So when you’re choosing a concrete moisture meter, remember what makes the C555 the best choice.

It’s the most accurate concrete moisture meter on the market. And when the success of your project is at stake, what could be more important?

Add this meter to your toolkit today and see how it can take your workflow to the next level in 2024.

1. https://www.wagnermeters.com/shop/c555-handheld-concrete-moisture-meter-kit/#reviews

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