As storms, hurricanes and floods become more frequent, the need to restore properties to a pre-loss condition faster and more efficiently will become more and more critical. As average temperatures across the globe have increased, more rain has fallen during the heaviest downpours. Heavy precipitation events, defined as the heaviest 1 percent, now drop 67 percent more precipitation in the Northeast, 31 percent more in the Midwest, and 15 percent more in the Great Plains than they did 50 years ago (UCSUSA.org). In the United Kingdom, we have been hit by storms more frequently than ever before. In December 2015, the North of England was hit by a catastrophic flood event that left thousands of properties severely damaged.
The use of heat (or energy) in restoration is a much debated topic which often stimulates heated debates between proponents and opponents within the industry. Some contractors simply fear the use of heat within restorative drying and this could be attributed to a lack of training, fear of legal action, or simply misconceptions about where it can or cannot be used effectively. On the other hand, a growing number of contractors across the globe are embracing new drying techniques and methodologies with great effect.