So, you just hired a new water damage restoration tech.
Now what?
- How do you train a new water damage restoration technician?
- When is the right time to send a technician to get IICRC certified?
- Should you send them to get IICRC certified?
These are all great questions, because most people want to get training for their techs, but they don’t want to send somebody away so soon that they leave and now that investment turns into a huge expense. Or worse, they end up “training their competition”. But don’t be afraid of “training your competition,” be afraid of sending untrained techs to YOUR customers!
How Do You Train A New Water Damage Restoration Technician?
Here are 4 steps that Jeremy uses:
Step 1: Immediately start with online training
As soon as you hire someone on, before they even set foot on the job the first day, have them look at online training.
That way, when they set foot on the job, they already have a general idea of what they are doing and are familiar with some of the equipment they are working with.
If you have a subscription to Reets TV online training (Get a free 48-hr trial HERE OR start watching now), we’ve created a training program that will help you train a new hire and get them trained and ready for IICRC certification in as little as 25 days!
Download the new tech to lead tech 25-day training schedule HERE
We’ve divided the videos into 20-30 minute increments. Each day, have them watch the 2-3 videos assigned to that day. In 25 days, they will have finished watching all of the videos, and hopefully by that point you will have a better idea of whether they are a good fit for your team and whether they are ready to get IICRC certification.
Haven’t heard of Reets TV online restoration training? In short, it’s a self-paced restoration video training program designed with the busy restorer in mind. With over 150+ videos, you can train new hires and reinforce their certification training. Xactimate and mold remediation training is also available. Get a free 48-hr trial HERE
Download the 25-day Training Schedule
Start Watching Now
Day 1:
Value of Extracting Carpet and Pad (8 min)
Extracting Carpet and Pad with a Stationary Tool (11 min)
Day 2:
Moisture Meter Identification (7 min)
Dehumidification’s Role in Drying (10 min)
Day 3:
Setting the Right Number of LGR Dehumidifiers (13 min)
Antimicrobial Application (8 min)
Day 4:
Handling Contents On A Water Loss (11 min)
Day 5:
Day 6:
Removing Baseboard and Cutting Drywall (16 min)
Day 7:
Conventional Drying Process When Removing Padding (10 min)
Extracting Carpet and Pad with Ride-On HydroX Extraction Tool (12 min)
Day 8:
Air Mover Best Application and Placement (8 min)
Setting the Right Number of Air Movers (13 min)
Day 9:
Using Hygrometers and IR Thermometers (11 min)
Invasive Moisture Meter Application (12 min)
Day 10:
Non-Invasive Moisture Meter Application (10 min)
Using LGR Dehumidifiers (14 min)
Day 11:
Electrical Basics and Safety On Water Losses – Part 1 (10 min)
Electrical Basics and Safety On Water Losses – Part 2 (11 min)
Day 12:
Direct Heat Application Basics (10 min)
Floor Drying Principles (10 min)
Day 13:
Application for Wood and Ceramic Floors (14 min)
Containment Application (10 min)
Day 14:
Wall Air Injection Tools (7 min)
Wall Injection Application (12 min)
Day 15:
Understanding Air Filtration Devices (8 min)
Using Air Filtration Devices (10 min)
Day 16:
Hot Dry Air Flow – Key To Understanding Drying (12 min)
Evaporation Potential 101 – Dalton’s Law of Evaporation (11 min)
Day 17:
Evaporation Potential 102 – Calculating Evaporation Potential (14 min)
Day 18:
Increase EP By Heating Wet surfaces (15 min)
Day 19:
Increase EP By Drying The Air (12 min)
Day 20:
Determining The Category Of Water (9 min)
ATP Testing and Category Of A Loss – Interview With Slade Smith (15 min)
Day 21:
Initial Response To Mold Amplification On A Water Loss (7 min)
ATP Sampling Procedures (4 min)
Drying Crawl Space Structure (14 min)
Day 22:
Drying Crawl Space Soil (12 min)
Crawl Space Drying Process (8 min)
Day 23:
Hardwood Technical Questions – Part 1 (11 min)
Hardwood Technical Questions – Part 2 (15 min)
Day 24:
Hardwood Floor Drying Process (14 min)
Ceramic Tile Drying Process – Part 1 (14 min)
Day 25:
Ceramic Tile Drying Process – Part 2 (8 min)
Category 3 Water Loss Response Principles (5 min)
Category 3 Water Loss Contaminated Material Removal (3 min)
Category 3 Water Loss – Decontamination (4 min)
Step 2: Pair them with a good tech
You’re probably already doing this, but put them with a good tech so they can get on-the-job training while under the supervision of an experienced tech.
Step 3: Now’s a great time to send them to get IICRC certification
Once they’ve completed the 25-day training program, send them away to get certification training. Be sure not to wait too long. Once you know that tech is going to stay with you or you feel comfortable enough to send them, get them out for certification!
Step 4: Back up all of the previous training with continuous education
There are so many ways to do this. Our recommendation? Continue to use Reets TV even after IICRC certification training.
Although certified, your technicians aren’t going to remember every single thing they learned in class. Try to provide them with weekly refreshers on process, customer service, and drying science. Reets TV was designed especially for this.
Another way to provide continuous education is to cross train your employees. Maybe a technician shows a special aptitude in estimating. Why not provide him with training and the opportunity to become an estimator within the company?
Looking for a great beginner’s estimating course? Check out the Estimating Pro Series
Or maybe, you’re looking to add new services such as mold remediation, fire and smoke damage restoration, trauma/biohazard cleanup etc. Send techs to certification classes for these services.
Conclusion
Remember, don’t be afraid of “training your competition,” be afraid of sending untrained techs to YOUR customers. Sending techs through training does not have to be a huge expense! It can be a great investment when done in line with this 4-step process.
- Step 1: Immediately start with online training. Train them in as little as 25 days to be ready for certification.
- Step 2: Pair them with an experienced tech for on-the-job training.
- Step 3: Once you feel comfortable, send them to certification! Don’t wait too long!
- Step 4: Provide them continuing education. Use Reets TV even after certification or send them to estimating/Xactimate, mold remediation, fire and smoke damage restoration training to help expand your company’s services.
If you follow these steps, you’ll make a great investment in your hires and you’ll have world class organization!
