Sample log layout
| Test point | Material | Dry reference | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A: kitchen wall by sink | Drywall | Note reading | Note reading | Note reading | Note reading | Note reading |
| B: bottom plate, hall side | Wood framing | Note reading | Note reading | Note reading | Note reading | Note reading |
| C: subfloor under cabinet | Plywood | Note reading | Note reading | Note reading | Note reading | Note reading |
| Room air | Temperature and humidity | Unaffected room | Note reading | Note reading | Note reading | Note reading |
| Outdoor air | Temperature and humidity | Not applicable | Note reading | Note reading | Note reading | Note reading |
How to keep the log
Copy the starting points
Ask whoever mapped the moisture to label each test point on the wall or floor with painter's tape, then copy those labels into your log.
Record the same points every day
Write down the readings the technician takes on each visit, at the same points, with the same meter.
List the equipment
Note each dehumidifier and air mover and where it sits. Write it down if anything gets moved, switched off or added.
Add what you notice
Smells, new stains, cupping floors, tripped breakers or doors left open all belong in the log.
Take one photo a day
Shoot each room from the same spot every day, and changes jump out.
Signs the drying has stalled
- A reading drops for a day or two, then stays flat.
- The air in the wet room is no drier than an unaffected room.
- Equipment sat off because of a tripped breaker or someone unplugging it.
- A musty smell shows up or gets stronger.
- Readings on one side of a wall stay high while the other side dries.
Using the log afterward
Your log doesn't replace the professional drying records. It does let you ask pointed questions, like why point B hasn't moved in two days, or why the equipment left before point C reached the dry reference. It also helps if the insurer later questions how long the equipment ran.
Keep the log in your claim file with the assessment report, photos and receipts. If a different contractor does the repairs, give them the final readings before anyone closes a wall or lays new flooring.
General information for Lakewood, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.