Creating a Detailed Flood Damage Report

Flooding is one of the most challenging events a property owner can face. Whether it’s caused by a sudden storm or an old pipe that finally gave out, the damage often spreads further than expected. 

It’s not just about what you can see – hidden water damage can create long-term issues if not addressed.

The first step in getting things back to normal is understanding how much damage has been done. A detailed flood damage report provides a complete picture of the situation and lays the groundwork for moving forward. 

This report supports the restoration process and insurance claims by documenting visible damage and gathering accurate data.

5 Important Details to Include in a Flood Damage Report

The most important thing for anyone contending with water or flood damage is understanding exactly “how bad” the damage is. The last thing a homeowner or building owner wants after such an event is to return to recovery mode long after repair crews have left. Even worse is being unable to file an insurance claim that covers repairs and replacement. 

For a flood damage restoration inspector, a final water damage assessment report should include:

1. Visual inspection findings
2. Hygrometer measurements
3. Moisture meter readings
4. Thermal camera images
5. Overall assessment 

1. Visual Inspection Findings

The first part of a water damage assessment is making an initial evaluation of the immediate area affected by flooding. 

Your findings from a first review of the job site are fair game for an inspection report – and should be included. They set the stage for the rest of your moisture survey and the recovery work. 

When conducting a visual inspection, note: 

• The condition of the space
• Immediately apparent water damage 
• The likely entry point of moisture

As a camera/smartphone is a smart investment for your toolkit, provide photographs of the inspection site in your final report. Pictures go a long way to eliminate any questions about your findings. 

2. Hygrometer Measurements

Digging deeper into a flood damage inspection, a hygrometer allows an inspector to gauge moisture incursion broadly. 

A hygrometer measures ambient conditions such as relative humidity (RH), specific humidity, and grains per pound.  It provides a general indication of whether a space has excessive moisture. High readings often signal that a space has water damage and requires further investigation.

Using readings from tools like a hygrometer is part of a comprehensive approach to addressing water damage, including recommended restoration practices that help prevent long-term issues. 

3. Thermal Camera Images 

Walk into any room impacted by flood damage and some moisture is obvious (think: saturated walls and carpeting). However, not all moisture intrusions are apparent – sometimes moisture-impacted materials are hidden behind a wall or under a floor. 

While not a restoration moisture meter, a thermal camera shows potential moisture incursion otherwise not visible to the naked eye. Displaying a visual representation of temperature differences, a thermal camera can help an inspector identify areas likely affected by moisture during a flood damage inspection. Cooler spots often signal the presence of moisture.

Like those taken during a visual inspection, images captured by a thermal camera are valuable to a flood damage report.

4. Moisture Meter Readings

A fundamental part of any flood damage report is moisture meter readings.

Taken by both pin-type and pinless (non-invasive) moisture meters (or an all-in-one meter), water damage moisture readings tell two important components of a flood’s story:

1. The specific area(s) affected by moisture (pinless meter readings)
2. The extent of moisture presence within materials (pin-type meter readings)

This information is invaluable in the water damage recovery process for the property owner and their insurance carrier. Moisture meter readings quantify the moisture levels and provide reliable data for creating a thorough water damage assessment report.

5. Overall Assessment

Compiling all other measurements taken during a flood damage inspection, and the observations from the initial visual inspection, an overall job site assessment gives the broadest indication of post-flood conditions. 

The assessment provides a rundown of findings during the inspection and is key for helping a property owner determine the extent of repair and recovery work needed. Remember: an overall assessment is only as good as the data backing it up. The more thorough an assessment, the better suited the client is to move forward. 

In addition to the readings and findings of a moisture damage assessment, an overall assessment should note: 

• Damage level – how extensive is the overall damage to the building? Is it limited to just one area or is it more substantial?
• Impacted items – what exactly was damaged? While all items damaged by a flood event are reportable, pay particular attention to walls, flooring, and ceilings in your flood damage report  
• Utility hazards – Water doesn’t discriminate in what it damages, so it’s important to record any observed damage to utilities, especially the building’s electrical system. 

Flood Damage Reports Can Guide the Recovery Process

Recovering from flood and water damage starts with a thorough inspection.

A detailed flood damage report helps property owners understand the scope of the damage and plan for repairs while simplifying insurance claims. For insurers, it provides clear, well-documented data to support evaluations.

Combining moisture readings, images, and a complete assessment makes the recovery process much smoother.

Learn More About Moisture Readings:

Download our free guide, “How to Measure Moisture in Buildings:”

This article was originally published in June of 2022 and was recently updated to reflect current industry trends.