Traditionally, water damage restoration has been viewed as a service focused on tried and true drying practices. Today, more and more hard science is involved, offering new technology that is changing the drying industry.

Drying technology has evolved enormously over the past decade and continues to change the way we dry and monitor wet buildings. The countless improvements and innovations that make the disaster restoration industry what it is today were all made possible by equipment manufacturers improving on dehumidification, moisture meters improving drying practices, HEPA filtration, and positive or negative air pressure.

Restorers are demanding and finding better quicker ways to dry wet material. Disaster restoration crosses many disciplines and is important to homeowners, insurance providers, building engineers, risk managers and many others who are asking that we bring new scientific knowledge to the table. The adoption of new technologies is radically changing the industry and its workforce.

Growing use of research and the quest to find better, faster, more economical drying has intensified competition. For example, the development of heat-based drying promises to open up remarkable possibilities. Business practices are evolving too, with some companies adding new drying equipment to their toolbox while others are stuck drying with older, less-efficient-but-still-useful equipment.

To further complicate matters, consumers are becoming more involved, and state regulations are entering the picture. The result for the industry is a growing need for skilled technicians who bring with them the ability to learn new and changing technologies.