### What is Moisture Mapping?
Moisture mapping is a non-destructive technique employed to determine the moisture content within a piece of wood. This process involves using specialized equipment to measure moisture levels at specific points throughout the wood, creating a map of moisture distribution. Moisture mapping provides valuable insights into the condition of wood, assisting in decision-making for various applications.
### Wood Moisture Content
Wood moisture content (MC) refers to the amount of moisture present in wood relative to its dry weight. It is expressed as a percentage, indicating the weight of water per unit weight of oven-dry wood. MC influences wood’s physical properties, such as stability, strength, durability, and susceptibility to decay.
### Can Wood Contain Over 100% Moisture Content?
Typically, wood cannot contain moisture content exceeding 100%. At this level, all of the wood’s available bound and unbound water has been absorbed. However, certain conditions can result in apparent MC values over 100%.
* **Excessive Exposure to Liquid Water:** Submersion in water can force moisture into wood, increasing its MC beyond its normal capacity.
* **Condensation:** In humid environments, water vapor can condense on the surface of wood, adding moisture that was not originally present in the wood structure.