The remote monitoring revolution in water damage restoration

In case you missed it, the March edition of The Standard (The BDMA’s quarterly magazine for the restoration industry) included some intriguing discussions about the future of technology within this sector. And one phrase I was delighted to see pop up several times was remote monitoring.

I’ve referenced remote monitoring in previous articles, but as it becomes more of a pivotal tool to support the water damage restoration industry, I felt it appropriate to explore this topic in greater detail.

A deeper appreciation for remote monitoring

Remote monitoring technology is not especially new, although the technology is being refined all the time. And while it is typically recognised as a great tool, there remain several barriers to it being widely adopted by WDR professionals:

1. Cost - A typical remote monitoring system will set you back around ￡1,500 to cover a standard domestic property, which is then followed by a monthly subscription (similar to a phone contract). Insurance companies would rarely pay for this addition.

2. Signal - At times, telecoms providers would provide limited service to these systems, meaning they could occasionally not get signal and be rendered useless.

3. Installation - Some systems have proven difficult to set up and unreliable in regards to tracking the necessary data.

4. Short-term thinking - Many contractors and insurers wouldn’t consider the long-term picture of these monitoring solutions, because the positives would only become apparent over time.

These blockades have prevented remote monitoring becoming more mainstream in the WDR industry. But times are changing. This once novel technology is now more advanced and more cost-effective. With the rise of the IoT, connected technologies are at the heart of everything we do. More and more people are benefiting from cloud storage and mobile devices to track data in an easier, paperless way.

And in this modern world, tools like remote monitoring are becoming more pivotal than ever before.

What are the benefits?

Fundamentally, remote monitoring technology tells us how equipment is functioning and how effectively it is performing its set task. By providing a clear picture of the moisture content in an area over time and creating data logs, this helps technicians track whether their equipment and drying regime is working as expected at all times, and that any problems are swiftly rectified.

If a noticeable change occurs, an email or notification can be immediately sent to the relevant contractors to inform them if interventions are required or, as we’ve noted in approximately 70% of test cases, people are turning off the equipment (for example, before they go to bed). I’ve even heard of situations where equipment has been shut down for weeks at a time.

These actions can significantly extend drying times, sometimes by several days or weeks, which subsequently costs contractors and insurance companies more and cause deadlines to be missed for reasons outside of their control.

This is the immediate benefit, but others are often overlooked. By having complete oversight on how equipment is performing, this reduces the need for regular in-person site checks. This means:

• Reduced project management costs (by 15-30% in our experience)
• Less vehicle mileage and fuel expenditure
• No more unnecessary maintenance
• Power consumption reductions of up to 15%
• Time savings that can be devoted to further projects (or increased claim capacity)

And, with the risks associated with COVID-19 still front-and-centre, having the means to restrict face-to-face meetings with homeowners is now more valuable than ever.

Additionally, organisations offering service contracts will benefit from obtaining feedback from machines in the field, as this allows them to create triggers for a range of actions. Remote monitoring helps accurately capture this information, whether it’s a blocked filter or an internal fan’s speed slowing over time. 

Preventative maintenance will not only prolong the life expectancy of your investment; it will also minimise unexpected downtime in the field. 

What limits still need to be unlocked?

Of course, there is still plenty of room for remote monitoring technologies to grow, which we have discussed regularly at Dantherm Group. 

The development of drying algorithms and machine learning could be a significant step forward. By analysing trends from this historical data, it would become easier to determine estimates for claims and drying times in future, based on factors like the severity of water damage and construction materials involved. This will make it easier to quote for insurance companies and ensure costs don’t overtake revenue.

Plus, as 5G networks become more readily available, this should curtail the range and signal issues previous remote monitoring technologies have endured in the past.

Remote monitoring: the future of WDR?

While remote monitoring technology is becoming increasingly refined and accessible, currently it is reserved for large-value or problem cases. In the future, I hope to see this expanded to more mainstream projects, as I think these solutions will prove invaluable in making the WDR industry more transparent and dependable.

By providing insurance companies, loss adjusters and homeowners with live information of a claim’s progress, this bolsters trust between them and their contractors. Analysis of historical data provided by this technology will streamline processes, help teams and companies accurately predict the need for preventative maintenance, and inform insurers on decisions such as which alternative accommodation is most suitable for the policyholder.

If I were to make a prediction, I’d wager that in the next 10 years or so almost all WDR equipment will come with in-built monitoring systems, ranging from basic bluetooth comms to 5G-enabled devices. Of course, there’s still a way to go - measurement systems need to be more reliable, and the costs of taking these measurements needs to reduce further to make this technology more accessible.

But, I’m encouraged by the fact more businesses are investing heavily into remote monitoring as a business improvement initiative rather than simply a drying tool, with buy-in at board level and fixed KPIs for each project. As more companies take this approach, they will recognise the positive impact these systems have.

Do you have any thoughts on the future of remote monitoring in WDR? Or would you like to learn more about how our own systems at Dantherm Group function and support WDR professionals day-to-day? To keep the conversation going, feel free to send me a message.