How to Use a Restoration Drying Log
The Restoration Directory Editorial Team · Published
A drying log should let another person identify where, when, and how each reading was taken. Consistent records make later comparisons easier.
To build a log, open the Drying Log Builder. This guide walks through its fields, how to keep readings comparable, and how to save the log before leaving the page.
What Each Field Records
Each entry in the builder has these fields:
- Date and Time of the reading
- Room / Location, such as "Living Room, north wall, 12 in above floor"
- Material, such as drywall, subfloor, or baseplate
- Meter Identifier, so readings can be traced to the instrument that took them
- Meter Scale, such as a wood scale or a comparative scale
- Reading, the number shown on the meter
- Unit, the unit or label that number uses
- Notes (Optional), for observations such as equipment changes
Use Add Another Entry for each reading and Remove This Entry to delete one.
Keep Readings Comparable
For a meaningful comparison between readings, keep these measurement details consistent and record any changes:
- The same location, described the same way
- The same material
- The same meter, identified consistently
- The same scale or mode on that meter
If any of these change, the two numbers may not be comparable. Record the change in Notes rather than leaving it to memory.
Meter Scales Are Not Interchangeable
Different scales measure different things.
- A wood scale reports an estimated percentage moisture content for wood.
- A relative or comparative scale reports a number on the meter's own reference range. It shows higher or lower moisture compared with other readings on the same material, not a percentage.
- Relative humidity describes moisture in air and is a separate measurement entirely.
Manufacturer guidance for at least one common pin-less meter, the Tramex Moisture Encounter 5, describes this distinction: its wood scale gives moisture content percentages, while for drywall, plaster, masonry, and similar materials it gives comparative readings, which are compared with a reading taken in a known dry area of the same material. Other meters may work differently, so follow the documentation for the instrument you use.
The builder records the scale and unit you enter for each reading. It does not convert between scales or combine readings from different scales.
Raw Numbers Versus Interpretation
The log records what the meter showed. It does not decide what the reading means.
Whether a material has reached an acceptable condition depends on the material, the instrument, the reference readings, the applicable standards, and professional judgment. The builder does not say whether any material is dry or safe, and it does not assess compliance with any protocol.
A Hypothetical Example
The builder's Load Example button fills in three fictional entries so you can see the layout:
- Living Room, drywall, Meter A, relative scale, 87 REL
- Living Room, subfloor, Meter B, wood scale, 14.2 %
- Hallway, baseplate, Meter B, wood scale, 12.8 %
These numbers are invented to demonstrate the format. They are not real job data and not a dryness benchmark. Notice that the drywall reading on a relative scale cannot be compared with the subfloor percentage on a wood scale.
Exporting the Log
The builder offers two ways to take the log with you:
- Download CSV saves a spreadsheet file with one row per entry and a column for each field.
- Copy Summary copies a plain-text summary you can paste into notes or an email.
Open the downloaded file and check the date, location, scale, and readings before adding it to the job file.
Save Before You Leave
Entries are not saved anywhere. They stay in the current browser tab and are lost when you refresh or leave the page. There is no autosave, no account, and no way to reload a downloaded file back into the builder.
Download the CSV or copy the summary before closing the tab. Store the file in your job records the same way you store photos and other documentation.
For how drying logs fit with moisture maps and photos, see Moisture Maps, Drying Logs, and Photos. For the complete file, see What Should Be Included in a Water Mitigation Documentation File?.
Build Your Log
Enter each reading in the Drying Log Builder, then use Download CSV before leaving the page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Drying Log Builder Save My Entries?
No. Entries stay in the browser tab only and are lost on refresh or when you leave. Download the CSV or copy the summary first.
Can I Compare a Wood Scale Reading with a Comparative Scale Reading?
No. They measure on different scales. Compare readings only when location, material, meter, and scale match.
Does the Log Tell Me When a Material Is Dry?
No. It records readings. Interpreting them depends on the material, instrument, reference readings, applicable standards, and professional judgment.
Can I Open a Downloaded CSV in the Builder Again?
No. The builder does not import files. Keep the CSV with your job records and start a new log for new readings.
Sources and Further Reading
Disclaimer
This article explains documentation practice for educational purposes. It is not a drying standard, compliance guidance, or an endorsement of any instrument. Example readings are fictional.
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