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, and copy those labels into your log.
Record the same points each day
Note the readings the technician takes on each visit, at the same points and with the same meter.
Write down the equipment
List each dehumidifier and air mover and where it sits. Note if anything was moved, turned off or added.
Add observations
Smells, new stains, cupping floors, tripped breakers or doors left open all belong in the log.
Photograph daily
One photo per room from the same spot each day makes changes easy to see.
Signs drying has stalled
- A reading drops for a day or two and then stays flat.
- The room air humidity is not lower than an unaffected room.
- Equipment has been off because of a tripped breaker or someone unplugging it.
- A musty smell develops or gets stronger.
- Readings on one side of a wall stay high while the other side dries.
Using the log afterward
A household log does not replace the professional drying records, but it gives you a way to ask specific questions: why point B has not moved in two days, or why equipment was removed before point C reached the dry reference. It also helps if the insurer later questions how long equipment ran.
Keep the log with your claim file, alongside the assessment report, photos and receipts. If repairs are done by a different contractor, share the final readings with them before walls are closed or flooring is installed.
General information for Lakewood, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.