They're the people you call when your basement gets flooded, but they're able to do much more than that. And there are not enough of them.

Restoration technicians specialize in repairing buildings that have been damaged by water, fire and other types of disasters.

While some restoration services companies in P.E.I. say there's always work out there for their technicians, the sector is having a hard time finding recruits.

Justin Clark, owner of the Steamatic franchise in P.E.I., has eight full-time employees.

"We have ads out. We're getting a few, but no one really that's a complete fit.

"We're hiring and we're training. And … we're getting some good candidates in the door now that we're hoping to stay with us for years to come."

There are only a handful of restoration services companies in P.E.I. Clark said most of them are also having the same issues.

A big part of the problem, he said, is that there is "just so much work" in the construction sector right now. Most workers and tradespeople aren't looking for gigs, even during the off-season.

But what makes a good prospect isn't always the skills they already have. While a background in construction and carpentry is a plus, Clark said most of the training to be a restoration technician happens at work.

"A lot of times people, employees will come in ... work underneath a restoration technician and then follow along with the restoration technician for a year or more," he said. 

"It's kind of like a tiered system where … you don't have to have a whole lot of skills. You just have to have the proper mindset and work ethic."

Adam Lawless, a technician with Steamatic, has been in the industry for more than decade.

"It's one of those jobs where it's the same every day, but it's different. And you'll learn on the job," he said.

"A lot of thought has to go into what you're doing, you've constantly got to think outside the box."

Most jobs involve fixing damage caused by water, perhaps a broken pipe or a leaky toilet.

But it could be damage from smoke and fire, or mould. It could be graffiti removal. Maybe odours from pest infestations.

"There's a lot of different chemicals involved," Lawless said.

But Lawless said restoration technicians are prepared to deal with all sorts of things, such as oil spills or removing contaminated materials, blood and other bodily fluids from crime scenes.

"We've got to set up ... what we call an air scrubber. It exchanges the air for fresh air," he said. 

"You have to be fully suited in a blood borne pathogen suit sealed at all joints, full face respirator with cartridges equipped for organic material, because the smell of decomposition is not nice. And just a lot of preventative care, and you just basically clean your way in so that you're not cross-contaminating."

Lawless said restoration technicians also have to always be on call because they are dealing with emergencies.

 "It's a disaster or an emergency," said Clark. "When we get called, we have to treat each situation a little bit differently and make sure that the client feels comfortable...

"It's hard to know exactly what we're getting into until we're into it. Every situation is different."

But Lawless said the positives outweigh the negatives. He said the industry is full of knowledgeable people and that he enjoys the fast-paced nature of the job.

He said it also feels great to help people in difficult situations — and see what difference his work makes.

"It's a great feeling, when we're all done and everything's all signed off, everybody's happy," he said. "It is a good feeling to be able to sit back and look at what you started with and what your finished product looks like."

Arturo Chang is a journalist based in Prince Edward Island. He previously worked for BNN Bloomberg. He can be contacted via email at arturo.chang@cbc.ca

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