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