Sam Bates’ Journey with Steamatic. Crime scenes to Clean Scenes

Every restorer has a story. For Sam Bates, that story began far from Australia’s red dust and open skies.

Originally a police officer in the UK, Sam migrated to Port Augusta in 2009 to continue his career in law enforcement. Alongside the demands of policing, he began carpet cleaning to support his family. What started as a side hustle soon revealed both the complexity and the potential of restoration.

Sam was often called to water extraction jobs after floods or burst pipes, he would arrive, extract the water, clean the carpets, and leave, believing he had solved the problem. But weeks later, when mould began to appear and odours returned, he realised the work was far more complex than he had imagined.

"At first, I thought I was helping,” he admits, “but when carpets started to smell weeks later, I realised I needed proper training."

Rather than walk away, Sam committed himself fully, investing in courses, advanced equipment, and countless hours of hands-on practice. From water damage to mould remediation and fire restoration, he developed a rare depth of expertise. It was not an easy path, but his dedication transformed a part-time pursuit into a professional craft, and ultimately, a lifelong passion.

Building More Than a Business

Sam was approached by Steamatic in 2019, with the promise of a national network of expert restorers and access to advanced equipment — a business that invested in the future.

"At first, I wasn’t sure,” he recalls. “I thought I could keep going on my own. But the idea of having a national network behind me changed everything. It meant I could focus on what I loved: getting people back into their homes and businesses, restoring normality when they needed it most."

Sam’s branch has grown from a solo operation to a team of nine. He has trained his staff from the ground up. Today, Sam spends much of his time developing his people into trusted experts. From hands-on coaching in technical skills to guiding them through industry training programs, he ensures his team can confidently tackle complex jobs.

"I rarely need to be on the tools now,” he says, “but I’m always close by, checking in, refining techniques, and giving my team the confidence to make decisions."

This culture of mentoring has created a team that customers can trust. When a Steamatic technician arrives on site, they bring not only their own knowledge but also the backing of Sam’s experience and the support of the wider national network.

"My business now brings in five to six times more work than it did before,” Sam explains. “But more importantly, I feel proud of what we represent. When I pull up in a Steamatic van, I know people can trust us. We do the job properly, and if something goes wrong, we make it right."

That pride extends to what makes Steamatic unique: the ability to deliver city-level services in regional towns, backed by advanced technology and a strong support network. From vacuum freeze-drying to heat-drying innovations, Sam can offer solutions that simply weren’t possible as an independent.

"I didn’t lose independence when I joined Steamatic — I gained freedom. Now I get to focus on restoration, work with incredible teams, and still make a real difference every day."

Why Join Steamatic?

Sam’s story shows what’s possible when you bring local knowledge into a national team. Considering joining? Gain:

Career security – Trade the risks of running a business for the stability of steady income, superannuation, and HR support.
Focus on restoration – Spend more time doing the work you love, without being weighed down by business growth, BAS statements and formalities.
National expertise – Tap into the shared knowledge and ongoing contract work, of restorers across Australia through collaborative platforms and real-time support.
Training and development – Access industry-leading courses and leadership pathways to grow yourself and your team.
Advanced technology – Leverage equipment and processes that set industry standards, giving you a competitive edge.
Community impact – Play a vital role in helping families, businesses, and communities rebuild after disaster.

A Career with Real Purpose

For Sam, joining Steamatic wasn’t about losing independence — it was about gaining freedom: freedom to lead, innovate, and make a bigger difference.

"We punch above our weight out here,” he says with a smile. “Even in regional South Australia, I can deliver the same level of service as a capital city branch. That’s what makes me proud — knowing we’re part of something bigger, something people can trust."