Digital moisture mapping begins with disciplined, systematic data collection in the field. The quality of every subsequent analysis, report, and drying decision depends on the completeness and accuracy of the data collected at this stage.
Establishing the Site Plan:
Before collecting any readings, create or obtain a floor plan of the affected area. This can be a hand-drawn sketch, a building plan from the owner or insurer, or a plan generated by a laser measurement tool and imported into moisture mapping software. The plan must include all rooms, corridors, and adjacent areas that could be affected by moisture migration.
Set consistent scale on the plan before use. All reading locations will be plotted on this plan - inaccurate scale produces a moisture map that does not accurately represent spatial relationships between reading points.
Reading Location Protocol:
Establish a reading location grid before commencing data collection. The grid density should be: one reading per one square metre in the core affected area, one reading per two square metres in peripheral areas, and one reading per room or section in unaffected areas for reference purposes. Number each reading location on the plan before taking readings.
For walls, establish vertical reading stations at consistent heights: 150 mm from floor (to detect floor-level water entry), 600 mm from floor (mid-wall), and 1200 mm from floor (upper wall). Document which height is used for each reading and maintain the same heights at every monitoring session.
Data Fields for Each Reading:
Every reading recorded in the digital system must include: reading location number matching the plan, date and time, material type, meter type and model, meter setting used, temperature at time of reading, and the moisture content value. Readings missing any of these fields cannot be reliably interpreted or defended.
Digital Entry Methods:
Readings can be entered into the digital system by direct input on a tablet or smartphone in the field, by voice-to-text with review before saving, or by paper field sheet with batch entry after each session. Direct field entry is preferred as it eliminates transcription errors. Batch entry from paper carries risk of transposition errors and must be completed within the same session day.