Set up the log on day one
Get the reading points
Ask the technician to mark or photograph each spot they measure. Numbered strips of painter's tape work well.
Note the reference spot
Write down where the dry comparison reading came from and what it read.
Count the equipment
Record how many dehumidifiers and air movers sit in each room, and photograph them.
Note the weather
A quick line on the outdoor temperature and whether it rained explains a lot of day-to-day swings.
Log layout
| Date | Point | Material | Reading | Reference | Equipment in room | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | 1 | Drywall, low | 2 air movers, 1 dehumidifier | Wet to about knee height | ||
| Day 1 | 2 | Subfloor at doorway | Same room | Carpet lifted | ||
| Day 2 | 1 | Drywall, low | 2 air movers, 1 dehumidifier | |||
| Day 2 | 2 | Subfloor at doorway | Same room |
Five-minute daily checks
- Every unit is running and none has tripped a breaker
- Dehumidifier hoses drain to a sink or floor drain, or the buckets aren't full
- Doors and windows are set the way the technician asked, usually closed
- No new staining, odor or swelling has shown up
- The equipment count matches the log
- A technician came and took readings, or you know when they will
When the log is finished
Once every reading point sits at or near its reference value, ask for a final set of readings and photos before the equipment leaves. File your log with the contractor's report and the claim. If repairs come later, the next contractor will want proof that the materials they're covering were dry when the walls closed.
This log doesn't replace professional measurements, and household meters vary in accuracy. It earns its keep by recording what was done and when, and by giving you a clear reason to ask questions.
In a commercial or multi-unit building, keep one log per suite or unit instead of one combined sheet. Separate logs make it easy to show each tenant, owner or insurer the drying history for their own space, and they prevent mix-ups when one area finishes days before another. A shared folder with a dated photo of each day's sheet usually does the job.
General information for Aurora, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.