Hurricane Katrina. These two words name an event that has had a lasting effect on countless lives. Beyond the massive, incomprehensible devastation, this natural disaster provided numerous lessons for nearly every segment of society. Without question, the insurance industry was among those most impacted by Katrina's far-reaching implications.

While the majority of attention has been focused on the incredible structural devastation — understandably so — the impact of textiles on insurance claims provides a valuable lesson for future catastrophes.

Textiles have become a greater component of residential restoration over the past few years as more professional alternatives to the typical corner drycleaner have increased their service levels. For commercial losses, such as those with Katrina, a responsive solution for textiles can lead to a quicker turnaround for using the space again, as well as financial savings, whether it be a hotel, warehouse, or office building.

Looking specifically at the Louisiana and Mississippi areas, due to the climate and geography of the area as well as the time of year, the conditions after Hurricane Katrina created a proverbial perfect storm. The conditions also were right for textile restoration to have a significant impact.

One example is a high-end luxury hotel in New Orleans. Though primary damage was limited to the main level, the entire building was affected due to every floor of the hotel being exposed to a literal explosion in mold spore contamination. The window treatments alone at this property were quoted at $500,000, with a replacement cost estimated to be above $3 million.

Research conducted by the Certified Restoration Drycleaning Network and others in the industry has proven that just because fabric items were in a moldy environment does not mean that they must be replaced. Studies have shown that mold spore contamination can be nearly eliminated (reduced to lower than naturally occurring levels). Once mold growth occurs on fabric items, however, it becomes much more difficult to restore them. In 2005, CRDN handled 569 jobs involving mold. Of the 162,042 pieces affected in these jobs, more than 90 percent were able to be restored, due to the systematized approach to response and handling, and due to the specially formulated cleaning techniques developed with years of experience.

A 2004 FabriCare Foundation study sponsored by CRDN evaluated the effectiveness of various cleaning methods on the most common types of fabrics: cotton, polyester, silk, and wool. Of these, polyester proved to be the easiest to clean. Polyester fibers showed essentially no change and little evidence of fungal growth, while wool was the most vulnerable. Clearly, the key is speed of response, as the study showed that fabrics exposed to long-term conditions (two months or more in a favorable environment for fungal proliferation) were very difficult to clean regardless of the type of fabric, cleaning process, or type of fungi.

The FabriCare Foundation study confirmed the findings of a 2002 CRDN study of 88 samples from six job sites over eight months. Mold spore contamination was found in 58 percent of water-damaged garments, while mold growth contamination was found in 25 percent. After the cleaning process, nearly 100 percent of mold spore contamination was eliminated, and mold growth contamination was reduced by nearly 90 percent.

Speed of response by service providers and first responders is the most important component, and one that sets the tone for the steps that follow. If restoration is to be an option, expeditious and proper removal and treatment of affected items is essential.

In New Orleans, our team witnessed the lack of knowledge about handling textiles and the absence of planning when dealing with literally tons of window treatments, bedding, and towels affected by mold spore contamination in the moist, humid conditions. In numerous cases, these textiles — often still wet from exposure to the elements — were placed in plastic bags and piled wherever space was available. After a significant period of time, the structural integrity of the fabrics began to deteriorate, ensuring that restoration was not viable. While many businesses and structural restoration contractors have pre-arranged agreements for dealing with a catastrophe, textiles remain the missing component.

All of the research and experience bodes well for commercial businesses and insurance companies as they plan for future losses. Commercial window treatments, for example, typically are made of a polyester blend, which tends to have a very high restoration rate. On the residential side, the role of textile restoration specialists is more commonplace and is becoming a standard element in the claim process. Contractors and contents-cleaning companies now more frequently rely on such sources to remove fabric items expeditiously so that their work can begin efficiently.

Damage caused by smoke, as well as water, poses distinct challenges that are best addressed by specialists who are equipped and adept at handling these situations. A professional will focus on key areas of the cleaning process, beyond prompt response, such as equipment that enables proper agitation of items to prevent re-deposition of contaminants. Detergent formulas specifically designed for restoration contaminants also lead to a higher satisfactory salvage rate.

The 2005 hurricane season truly was historic, yet the severity and frequency of such storms likely will be comparable in the years ahead. As the industry becomes more familiar with those who specialize in textile restoration, the potential for exponential cost savings will increase substantially.

Wayne M. Wudyka is chairman and CEO of the Certified Restoration Drycleaning Network. He can be reached at 1-888-DryClean, www.crdn.com.

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