How to Record Wood, Carpet and Tile Conditions
Floors use different materials and each material has different visible signs to record. A scratch, curled carpet edge or discolored tile needs a wide image for location and a close-up for detail. RoomLedger can group evidence by room and timeline, but it does not diagnose a cause or estimate repair cost.
Separate the materials
Record the room, floor area and material you can observe: wood, laminate, stone, tile, vinyl or carpet. If you are unsure, write “not identified” instead of guessing. Photograph boundaries between materials, skirting boards, trim and corners that furniture may hide. Note what could not be inspected because a cabinet or rug was covering it.
Describe what is visible
Use verifiable words such as scratched, dented, peeling, cracked, swollen, discolored, dirty or open at the edge. Add an approximate size and location when useful, but do not call something structural damage without an appropriate professional assessment. For carpet, record a mark, odor or worn area without claiming its cause from one photo.
Capture context
Take one image from the room entrance, one of the floor area and one close-up of the issue. Use natural light when possible and avoid filters that change color. At move-out, repeat the angle or explain why it differs. If you measure, record the tool, unit and conditions; RoomLedger does not turn a photo into an official measurement.
Create issues and a report
Create a separate item for a scratch, damp mark, open edge or cracked tile. Link photos, notes, report date and replies. See RoomLedger. Export the report, open the file and keep the original export. Share only what is needed because floor photos can reveal private belongings or documents.
Compare old and new images by location, not only by filename. Record lighting, moved furniture and points that could not be repeated. If there is a dispute, provide originals, the timeline and neutral descriptions; do not edit an image to make a mark look stronger. Ask a professional or follow the lease when responsibility must be determined.
If a floor smells damp or changes after rain, record the observation and conditions only. Do not use chemicals, drill, pry or remove trim to find a cause. Report early through the required channel and keep replies. When repairs occur, photograph before and after in a separate timeline so the original baseline remains clear.
Note: This guide helps document condition; it is not a material, damp, mold or deposit-liability assessment.