Reverse reading means no holes in the substance being measured. Hold it horizontally in the area you're looking at and you'll instantly get a percentage reading. Wipe it on a wall or ceiling for instant results. We have an RV and there was a leak in the roof. I needed to know whether or not to smash the roof, and if so, how much. I was hoping to expel the moisture after sealing the outside. I opened a few vents and turned on the heater. I could watch the humidity drop until everything was back to normal. I could also see where the problem areas were. It is also good to see how high the water content of the wood is. Checking the boat for a soaked hull. Check the ceiling for leaks before damage occurs.