The report should include
Tick each item as you find it in the paperwork you were given.
- The date and time of the visit and the name of the person who did the assessment.
- The source of the water, how it was identified and whether it has been stopped.
- The water category (clean, gray or contaminated) and the reason it was assigned.
- A sketch or floor plan of affected rooms, including 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 planned for drying in place.
- Suspect materials that may need asbestos or lead testing before disturbance, in older homes.
- Equipment planned: how many dehumidifiers and air movers and where.
- How often drying will be monitored and what reading counts as dry.
- Photos of each affected area before work begins.
Red flags and what to ask instead
| What you see | Why it is a concern | What to ask for |
|---|---|---|
| Everything listed as wet with no numbers | No objective basis for the scope | Readings at each point, with a dry reference |
| Removal of a whole room's drywall for a small leak | 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 adjacent rooms | Water may have traveled unchecked | Readings on the other side of walls and on the level below |
| No category stated | Category drives what can be kept | A written category with the reason |
| Pressure to sign the same visit | Limits your chance to compare or call your insurer | Time to review and a copy of the plan to keep |
Follow-up questions after reading the report
- Which single reading or observation most drove the decision to remove each material?
- If drying in place is attempted first, at what point would you change to removal?
- Are any areas uncertain, and how will you check them again?
- What would you expect the readings to look like after the first and third days?
- What does the plan leave out that I might need separately, such as plumbing repair or reconstruction?
General information for Lakewood, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.