Moisture content describes the amount of water in a material. How it is expressed and interpreted depends on the material and measurement method.
What this means at your property
A meter may report a percentage for a suitable wood setting but provide a comparative scale for another material. Numbers from different modes should not be treated as equivalent. Location and depth also affect what a reading represents.
What makes a drying record useful?
Ask for the material, measurement locations, instrument settings and comparison criteria. Repeatable readings can show a trend, but the decision to close an assembly should also consider access, condition and the source of the moisture.
Related terms
Further reading: Delmhorst: moisture measurement questions and instrument scales.