A proof-backed template for water losses — 5 phases, 20 steps, and a required evidence artifact on every one. Built for restoration crews who get paid on the strength of their file.
Every step has a required evidence artifact — nothing gets marked complete without proof.
Timestamped from first call
Response, arrival, extraction, and dry-standard times are stamped automatically.
IICRC S500-aligned phases
Safety → documentation → mitigation → drying → closeout, in the order adjusters expect.
One-click claim packet
Export the full run as a PDF with photos, moisture logs, and psychrometrics attached.
Why proof matters here. Generic checklists get denied claims. Adjusters approve files that show category classification, moisture logs, and dry-standard confirmation with matching photos. This template forces that pattern at every step.
1. Safety & scene assessment
0–1 hour on site
Make the structure safe to work in and document the loss before anything is moved.
1
Shut off power to affected circuits
Kill breakers to any room with standing water or wet outlets. Confirm with a non-contact tester before entering.
Evidence: Photo of breaker panel + tester reading
2
Identify water category (1 / 2 / 3)
Clean supply-line water, gray water from appliances, or black water from sewage / flooding. Category drives PPE and disposal.
Evidence: Source photo + technician note
3
Locate and stop the source
Shut mains, cap the line, or tarp the roof. Nothing dries while the leak continues.
Evidence: Before/after photo of the source
4
PPE and containment
N95 or better, gloves, boots for Cat 2/3. Poly sheeting on doorways to unaffected rooms.
Evidence: PPE checklist signed by lead tech
2. Loss documentation for the claim
First 2 hours
Build the evidence pack an adjuster will accept without a callback.
1
Wide + detail photos of every affected room
One wide shot per wall, then close-ups of damaged materials, contents, and the water line.
Evidence: Room-by-room photo set with timestamps
2
Initial moisture map
Sketch the floor plan and mark wet materials. Note affected sq ft per room.
Evidence: Annotated floor plan (PDF or photo)
3
Baseline moisture readings
Pin or pinless meter on drywall, subfloor, framing, and an unaffected reference wall.
Evidence: Meter reading photos with location tag
4
Contents inventory
List damaged contents with make/model, age, and salvageable / non-salvageable status.
Evidence: Signed inventory sheet
3. Water extraction & mitigation
Hours 2–24
Remove standing water and non-salvageable materials before microbial growth starts.
1
Extract standing water
Truck-mount or portable extractor on carpet, weighted extraction on pad if salvageable.
Evidence: Extraction log with gallons removed
2
Remove non-salvageable materials
Wet insulation, laminate, MDF, and Cat 2/3 drywall get cut and bagged. Flood-cut 12–24" above the water line.
Evidence: Photo of removed materials + disposal manifest
3
Detach and block furniture
Foam blocks or tabs under wood legs, upholstered items moved off wet carpet.
Evidence: Photo of blocked contents
4
Apply antimicrobial (Cat 2/3)
EPA-registered product on affected substrates per label dwell time.
Evidence: Product SDS + application log
4. Structural drying
Days 1–5
Hit dry standard on every affected material, verified daily with instrument readings.
1
Set air movers and dehumidifiers
One air mover per 10–16 linear feet of wet wall, LGR dehu sized to affected cubic footage.
Evidence: Equipment placement diagram + serial numbers
2
Daily moisture readings
Same locations, same instrument, same tech. Compare to the unaffected reference wall.
Evidence: Daily moisture log with timestamps
3
Psychrometric readings
Temperature, RH, and GPP inside the chamber and outside. Adjust equipment if not drying.
Evidence: Psychrometric chart per visit
4
Confirm dry standard
Materials at or below the reference wall (or manufacturer spec). Do not demobilize early.
Evidence: Final moisture map signed by tech + customer
5. Repair handoff & final report
Day of demobilization
Hand the file to the repair crew and the adjuster with zero missing pieces.
1
Equipment pickup log
Every air mover and dehu accounted for, run-hours captured.
Evidence: Equipment log signed by tech
2
Post-mitigation photos
Match the initial documentation set from the same angles.
Evidence: After photo set aligned to before set
3
Scope of repair
Line-item list of what needs to be rebuilt, sized to the flood-cut and removed materials.
Evidence: Scope PDF attached to job file
4
Customer signoff
Certificate of completion for mitigation phase with dry-standard confirmation.
Evidence: Signed certificate (e-sign or PDF)
Run this checklist on your next loss
Load the water damage restoration template, assign a crew, and export a claim-ready PDF the moment you hit dry standard.
This template is starter content aligned with the IICRC S500 phase structure. It is not professional advice and does not replace on-site judgment by a certified water restoration technician.
