Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Advice & Tips

A Behind the Scenes Insight with a Flood Technician

When disaster strikes and properties become inundated with flood water, our 24/7 emergency flood response is on standby to help. In the cases where entire towns and cities are impacted, this often gets declared as a Catastrophic Event ( CAT ) by insurance companies. For these large-scale weather events, Chem-Dry mobilise technicians and equipment from all around the country to join the flood restoration efforts in the affected location. Technicians will stay in the area until all of the properties have been attended to, meaning that they can be away from home for several weeks to months at a time. We caught up with Codi Mackenzie, a technician involved in the Auckland flash flooding event, to find out what a typical day looks like for a flood technician during a weather response, and what motivates him to provide this emergency service.

How long have you been a flood technician?

I’ve been a Flood Technician since I was 16, starting out in the school holidays. I told my parents “I’m not going back to school tomorrow, I’m done with it”. They didn’t want me sitting around doing nothing until I found myself a job, so they put me to work with Tony, their lead technician for Gold Valley Chem-Dry. 17 years later I’m managing Waikato Chem-Dry.

Where are you usually based?

I am usually based in Hamilton but have been in Auckland since 28th January, so this will be my 8th week. I was getting ready to head away for a camping weekend with my wife and two boys when I got a phone call from a customer that I had helped back in the March 2022 Auckland floods, saying, “Codi, we need you, our house is flooding worse than last time”. Sure enough, 4.30am Saturday morning I was loading my van full of flood equipment instead of tents and fishing rods, heading straight to this customers house. By the time I arrived, there was an unthinkable number of other floods called in to attend.

During a weather event, what does a typical day look like?

To beat the Auckland traffic, I’m getting up between 4.30 - 5.30am, putting my head torch on and starting the process of washing down, sanitising and setting up drying equipment on properties, until I need my head torch again in the evening. We try to get to as many clients in a day as possible. On my way to new jobs, I go past existing properties that we have drying, stopping to do moisture readings, and adjust equipment to make sure they progress as expected. When we head back to our motels for the night, as we’ve brought our computers and printers up, I sit down and complete paperwork. Then get ready to repeat again tomorrow… and suddenly you realise that 8 weeks have passed.

Is there any advice that you could give a customer of a flood affected property?

For a new flood on the day, save whatever you possibly can by getting it up and out of the water. Unfortunately, any carpet, Gib or soft furnishings that have been contaminated by black water are not salvageable as soon as they get wet, so try to focus on saving what other things you can. For someone with a flooded property still waiting for us to attend, know that we will be there as soon as we possibly can. I know that’s easy for me to say but we are working through several hundred properties each week. A visit will not be too far off now. Sure enough, 4.30am Saturday morning I was loading my van full of flood equipment instead of tents and fishing rods, heading straight to this customers house. By the time I arrived, there was an unthinkable number of other floods called in to attend.

Is there anything that a customer can do in preparation of your visit?

Having contents and furniture moved out of the house or into the centre of the room, is very helpful. We need to wash, sanitise, and set up drying gear throughout the affected areas so the emptier the area the better. On my way to new jobs, I go past existing properties that we have drying, stopping to do moisture readings, and adjust equipment to make sure they progress as expected. When we head back to our motels for the night, as we’ve brought our computers and printers up, I sit down and complete paperwork. Then get ready to repeat again tomorrow… and suddenly you realise that 8 weeks have passed.

How do you juggle life back home with being away for so long?

Having a very understanding and amazing wife helps. Sarah also works in the business, organising schedules and liaising with customers which is a busy job, especially when we have a flood event and lots of properties on the go. She juggles that as well as being mum to our two boys on her own while I’m away. I have managed to get home twice in the 51 days I’ve been here for a quick evening visit before the kids bedtime, so I count myself lucky in this regard, many other techs are much further away from home.

What is it about the job that makes it fulfilling for you?

Helping people, it is extremely hard for when someone’s house floods a little, or a lot. Many of these homes have had water come through 2m deep, meaning customers lose everything which is completely devastating. It’s hard for me to see that, so I can only imagine how it would feel if it were my house. Being able to help get a house liveable again so they can bring their family home, is a great feeling and what makes it worth it for me. There are a lot of emotions going on for a customer when I turn up, so even being able to put a smile on their face after what they have been through is enough to make my day.

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Offering a 24/7 Emergency Flood Response Service, our experienced professionally trained team will extract the water quickly, move furniture, dry carpets, flooring, walls and ceilings using our industrial air movers and de-humidification equipment, and if needed, will arrange to re-stretch and lay your newly dried carpet, finishing with a deep clean and sanitisation.

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