FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

1-800-WATER DAMAGE Announces Addition of Industry Veteran
Noted Water Damage Restoration Industry Expert Joe Dobbins Decides to `Join Winning Team'

Seattle, Wash.– In the highly specialized field of water damage restoration, few have garnered the respect and admiration of industry peers as much as Joe Dobbins, a 23-year business owner, veteran trainer and Vice President overseeing the certification boards for the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). Today, 1-800-WATER DAMAGE ™ , the nation's leading franchise specializing in water damage restoration for homes and businesses, announced that Dobbins has joined the company as a franchisee with four territories in northern Alabama .

After more than two decades of noted success as the owner of an independent water damage restoration business, Dobbins has decided to convert his business into a 1-800-WATER DAMAGE franchise starting in June 2005. Dobbins approached the company's founders to inquire about purchasing a franchise after learning about 1-800-WATER DAMAGE at an industry convention last year.

“W ith 70 locations operating across the United States , 1-800-WATER DAMAGE has proven its success as a national, recognizable franchise brand, offering the highest quality standards of customer service, technician training and support for franchisees,” Dobbins said. “I thought, `why watch from the sidelines, when I can join a winning national team?' Even though I had built a successful business over the past 23 years, I saw the value of the 1-800-WATER DAMAGE name and growing national franchise system and wanted in.”

Dobbins' industry experience spans back to 1982, when he first purchased an independent local water damage restoration business. Since that time, Dobbins has established himself as an expert in water damage restoration, teaching the trade for 20 years and serving as a certification trainer for the Institute of Inspection , Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). As Vice President overseeing the certification boards for the IICRC, Dobbins is responsible for all certification exams in 22 categories, ranging from water damage restoration to mold remediation. In addition, he is a member of the water damage standards committee and the mold standards committee for the IICRC.

“We are honored to have somebody with Joe's reputation and experience join the 1-800- WATER DAMAGE system,” said Lisa Bongi , president of the Seattle-based 1-800-WATER DAMAGE franchise. “It speaks volumes to our credibility when someone like Joe believes enough to invest in our concept. It raises the bar for our franchise system and says a lot about our presence as a growing national brand.”

ABOUT 1-800-WATER DAMAGE

1-800-WATER DAMAGE offers homes and businesses that have experienced water damage an array of services, including: water extraction; basement, crawl space and structural drying; dehumidifying; removing odors; and disinfecting. The national franchise has experienced a significant growth spurt recently – opening more than 50 new franchises in a three month period.

1-800-WATER DAMAGE is a pioneer in the $5 billion dollar water restoration industry, known for bringing its franchisees and customers cutting-edge water damage restoration techniques. The 16-year-old company takes a one-of-a-kind approach to water damage restoration, working directly with home and business owners to ensure that the restoration process is done quickly and to the customer's satisfaction following a water damage loss. Any customer calling into the 1-800-WATER DAMAGE phone number is automatically routed to the 1-800-WATER DAMAGE franchisee serving their area. For franchise information, call (206) 381-3047.