Daily log columns

Column
Date and time
What to record
When you made the entry
Why it helps
Builds a clear timeline for your insurer
Column
Air movers running
What to record
Count by room
Why it helps
Equipment is billed per unit per day; this lets you compare
Column
Dehumidifiers running
What to record
Count by room, and whether water is draining or the bucket is full
Why it helps
A full bucket or tripped unit means drying stopped
Column
Technician visit
What to record
Name, arrival and departure time, what they did
Why it helps
Confirms monitoring visits on the invoice
Column
Readings shared
What to record
Whether you received that day's moisture readings
Why it helps
Prompts you to ask while the job is underway
Column
Smell
What to record
None, musty, sour or chemical
Why it helps
A new musty smell can mean a missed wet area
Column
Visible changes
What to record
Swelling, peeling, stains spreading or shrinking
Why it helps
Shows whether materials are improving
Column
Your actions
What to record
Doors closed, thermostat changes, power interruptions
Why it helps
Explains anything unusual in the readings

Set this up in a notebook or spreadsheet with one row per day, starting the day equipment arrives.

Each day, before you write the entry

  • Walk past every piece of equipment and confirm it is on.
  • Check that dehumidifier drain hoses are still in the sink, tub or floor drain.
  • Look for tripped GFCI outlets or breakers if anything has stopped.
  • Keep doors and windows the way the technician asked; open windows in dry Colorado air can help or hurt depending on conditions.
  • Take one photo of each room from the same spot as the day before.
  • Note any new damp spot, stain or odor and mention it at the next visit.

Using the log at the end

When the equipment is pulled, compare the number of days and units on your log with the invoice. Small differences are normal, such as a unit dropped off late in the day. Large differences are worth a polite question.

Keep the log with the restorer's final moisture report and your photos. If a smell or stain appears months later, or you sell the house and a buyer's inspector asks about past water damage, a complete record that shows the drying was verified is worth far more than a memory.

Common questions

Can I turn the equipment off at night to sleep?

Ask the technician first. Switching units off pauses drying and can add days. If noise is a problem, ask whether units can be repositioned or a door closed instead.

General information for Parker, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.