Product · Tramex
Tramex CME5: pinless concrete and screed meter
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The Tramex CME5 is not a general damp meter. It is made for checking concrete slabs and gypsum floor screed before flooring goes down, when laying vinyl, wood or tiles on a slab that is still wet can lead to lifting, smells or mould underneath. If that is your job, it gives fast readings without drilling. If you want to check a damp wall or a window frame, it is the wrong tool.
- Method
- Pinless
- Depth
- About 20 mm
- Readout
- Not stated
- App
- Yes, Bluetooth
- Materials
- Concrete, gypsum floor screed
In its favour
- Reads into the slab to about 20 mm without probing or drilling.
- Bluetooth link to an iOS and Android app for reporting.
- Rugged enclosure suits site use before laying floor coverings.
Good to know
- Made for concrete and screed, so it is the wrong tool for walls and timber.
- The listing notes it is an international product sold from abroad.
Our take
Non destructive readings into the slab
Tramex states instant readings to a depth of approximately 20 mm into the slab, with no probing, drilling or mechanical damage. That lets a fitter walk a floor and take many readings quickly, picking out wetter bays or areas near doors and external walls that may need longer to dry. The specs list concrete and gypsum floor screed as the specific uses. Because nothing is pushed into the floor, you can recheck the same spots every few days and watch a new screed dry, then decide when it is ready for the flooring layer. A measurement accuracy figure of 0.5% appears in the specs, with no further detail on how it was derived.
App and reporting
A Bluetooth connection links the meter to an iOS and Android app, which Tramex says allows continual development and reporting tools. For a contractor, a record of readings taken before laying a floor can be useful evidence if questions come up later. The listing does not describe the display itself, so check how readings are shown before buying.
Build and buying notes
The enclosure is described as new, rugged and ergonomic, measuring 16 by 8.9 by 3.8 cm and weighing 500 g. One point to note: the listing states this is an international product sold from abroad, which may differ from local stock in labelling, instructions or terms. Check the delivery details and the support arrangements before ordering.
Better choices for walls and timber
For damp walls the Tramex MEX5 is the more flexible meter, with dual depth pinless readings and a built-in hygrometer, and it handles wood and drywall. The Protimeter Aquant BLD5770 also covers concrete in its material list while working on walls and timber as well.
Verdict
The CME5 is for flooring contractors and builders who need quick, non destructive moisture checks on concrete and screed before laying a floor. Homeowners with a damp wall, a wet window frame or a condensation problem should choose the Tramex MEX5 or Protimeter Aquant instead.
Compared with alternatives in: Best damp meters for walls and timber
Amazon listing title: Concrete Moisture Meter - CME5