The disaster restoration industry is implementing new technology every day and it’s important to understand why technology is changing so as not to be lulled into doing things the same way they have always been done. Innovation is important when you consider that, adjusted for inflation, flood damage estimates alone have averaged roughly $7.82 billion over the last 30 years in the United States (per NOAA). In fact, NOAA estimated flood damages increased to $8.41 billion dollars in 2011. If you add in fires, ruptured pipes, failed water tanks, etc., the numbers are staggering. It is easy to understand why improvements in technology are necessary. Today, materials can be protected with innovative products that make it easier to clean, disinfect, and even dry better and faster using new tools and techniques. Major restoration contractors recognize this as an opportunity and have launched a variety of new services to help their customers get back in their homes and get back to business in less time.
Indeed, advances in technology began when the disaster restoration industry was formed and was led by innovators. Many new ideas will emerge and mature in 2012, which could become a defining year for the disaster industry. For example, directed heat drying, better lower grain refrigerant dehumidifiers, remote management of drying systems, numerous applications to document the progress of drying equipment and new testing methods that assist us to define the level of contamination are finding their way into our industry.