The report should include
Tick each item as you find it in your paperwork.
- The date and time of the visit, and the name of the person who did the assessment.
- The source of the water, how they found it and whether it has been stopped.
- The water category (clean, gray or contaminated) and why they assigned it.
- A sketch or floor plan of the affected rooms, including the levels above and below.
- Moisture readings written as numbers at marked points, plus a dry reference reading for each material.
- The meter types used, since different meters read on different scales.
- A list of materials proposed for removal, each with a reason.
- A list of materials they plan to dry in place.
- In older homes, suspect materials that may need asbestos or lead testing before anyone disturbs them.
- The equipment plan: how many dehumidifiers and air movers, and where they go.
- How often they will check the drying, and what reading counts as dry.
- Photos of each affected area before work begins.
Red flags, and what to ask for instead
| What you see | Why it matters | What to ask for |
|---|---|---|
| Everything marked wet, with no numbers | Nothing objective backs up the scope | A reading at each point, with a dry reference |
| A whole room of drywall out for a small leak | That may be more than the readings support | The reading at the top of the proposed cut, and above it |
| No mention of the room below or the rooms next door | Water may have traveled where nobody checked | Readings on the far side of walls and on the level below |
| No category stated | The category decides what can be kept | A written category, with the reason |
| Pressure to sign during the same visit | You lose the chance to compare bids or call your insurer | Time to review, and a copy of the plan to keep |
Questions to ask once you've read the report
- Which reading or observation drove the decision to remove each material?
- If you try drying in place first, at what point would you switch to removal?
- Are any areas uncertain, and how will you check them again?
- What should the readings look like after day one and day three?
- What does the plan leave out that I might need separately, such as plumbing repair or rebuilding?
General information for Lakewood, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.