Chris Laney

Dewald Academy of Drying

Chris Laney began working in the cleaning and restoration industry in 1999 at Stanley Steemer in Fort Wayne, IN. For 3 years Chris learned the trade of carpet cleaning. In March of 2002 Chris and his wife Angi started Americlean Tile & Grout Inc. In the beginning the company specializing in cleaning of hard surface flooring and carpet cleaning. After 2 years the company received a water loss from a movie theatre client and the water loss was referred to a competitor to assist due to the team’s lack of knowledge to complete the project properly. Chris was very intrigued by the restoration process and pursued training in the field of water damage mitigation. In mid-2004 Chris attended his first training WRT course from Barry Costa and followed it with a 5-day course from Kurt Bolden at the Hydro-Lab. During the course at the Hydro-Lab Chris met Charlie Cressy the owner and inventor of the Water Out Drying System.

Chris and Angi joined the Water Out network and over the course of the next 8 years they traveled all across the southeast region working and assisting during hurricane events providing support for other restoration contractors and their clients. In 2013 the company settled down roots in Fort Wayne and built a company in Fort Wayne, IN specializing in water mitigation. After 20 years in business, Water Out has grown to be a leading provider of cleaning and restoration services in the Fort Wayne, IN market.

In 2019 Chris met Chuck Dewald III and David Sweet prior to attending and speaking with Chuck at an RIA conference. After attending the Dewald Academy of Drying School in early 2019 Chris continued to come back and eventually become a partner in the school and E3 Technologies. Chris has consulted alongside Chuck Dewald III on hundreds of the largest commercial water losses in the US over the last 3 years.

Chris has been blessed with a wonderful and supporting wife by his side throughout this journey and blessed with two great daughters Stephanie and Whitney. Chris enjoys time with his family at his girl’s sporting events, water sports with the kids at the lake, traveling, water skiing, and snowmobiling. Having the opportunity to help teach the next generation of restorers is not only rewarding but a very humbling experience.