I posted a little while ago and received some good advice. I'm getting ready to install a Kahrs floating floor and I'm trying to make sure I'm good to go as far as moisture avoidance is concerned and I have a few questions.

-What are a couple of good brands/models of moisture meters for a DIYer? Preferably it would be something I could buy on eBay and then sell when the job is done.

-I don't have product in hand yet, but from what I understand the Kahrs floor is "pre-acclimated" to average in-use conditions and shipped in air tight boxes. They recommend not opening the boxes until ready to install. That being the case, what happens if my subfloor system is more than 4% different from the "pre-acclimated" boards? Anyone ever encountered this?

Here is my plan for outside/under the house. Does this look good or am I forgetting something?

-There is currently a vapor barrier on top of the bare earth in the crawl space but it has some rips/tears/etc. I will fix this by overlapping new sheets.
-There are a couple of gutter downspouts that need to be directed away from the house and I'll take care of this, as well as clean the gutters.
-I thought about also installing a vapor barrier to the bottom of the joist assembly, but wondered if this was overkill, especially since the Kahrs combo underlayment system will be installed on top of the subfloor/underlayment. Any thoughts about this?

Thanks for your help so far. I'm sure I'll be asking more questions as the installation time gets closer and as it progresses.

Hi,
Since moisture meters are expensive, I limited my suggestion to just one lower priced one. It's not the best but it is a good brand and is a pin style, which I feel is more accurate for wood.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/de ... i&n=507846
Always follow manufacterer recommendations. I think Kahrs should specify the temp and conditions their flooring needs to be installed in. That 4% variance guidline is for solid wood floors. Engineered is abit more flexable. However, let's say the flooring is 8% and your subfloor is 15%. Then you have a subfloor moisture problem and that needs to be corrected. Ideally, subfloors will average around 10% MC. Since you're planning on using the 2in1 underlayment, this isn't as critical but anything that can be done to eliminate moisture to the subfloors is good.
Your plan sounds good. Instead of patching the plastic now, just lay a new moisture barrier over the top. Is the earth under that barrier wet or dry. If wet, you have a drainage problem and that should be fixed in time. I'd check those floor joists with your meter before attaching plastic to them. You don't want to trap moisture in them either. After repairing your moisture barrier, get a meter measurement. Then check it again in a week and see if there is a difference. If no difference, then go ahead with the plastic on the underside of the joists plan if you wish. I don't think it is needed unless you live over a swamp.The best way is to ensure moisture doesn't enter the crawl space now. Redirect downspouts, improve grading, add drain pipe, etc. Cover crawl space with 8 mil black polyethylene. Improve foundation venting to ensure good cross flow. All these improvements will help eliminate moisture in the crawl space. Good luck.

I wished I knew about that link a while back. I paid over 200.00 for mine by the time it hit my hand. It's a reliable meter I have used it regularly for about three years now. One thing I noticed is it likes fresh batteries.
Gary has some sound advice, take the readings , fix your drainage problems and I think you are going to be fine.

ok I was wrong I have the analog j4 version, diffrent meter, I feel a little better now.

Thanks for the great advice Gary and Kevin. In general the crawl space is dry below the plastic, but after a heavy rain it is damp under there. Didn't mention it before, but there is a sump pump in there, as well. That isn't all that uncommon where I live, or at least in my subdivision. I'm going to go ahead and get the moisture meter and do some preliminary testing but my wife has been wanting to have some grading work done, and this may be a pretty good time (prior to floor install) for that.

You're welcome! But I must say, you must have a very special lady for a bride as it would seem to me that for most wives, regrading around a house would be pretty low on the wish list.