The Standard-Setting Organization for Fire, Mold, and Water Damage Restoration Practices
Hiring a water damage company with IICRC certification is strongly recommended for any residential or commercial cleanup project. Because the water restoration industry does not have strict governmental regulations, the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification, or IICRC, was established to develop standard practices of care. This organization, established in 1972 by Ed York, has grown to become a global institution present in over 25 countries, with 53,000 active technicians and 6,000 certified firms across the globe. The IICRC sets the industry standard for water damage services, and selecting a company that is certified with this organization is vital in order to ensure proper restoration practices.
The IICRC Mission
The primary goal of the IICRC is to “identify and promote an international standard of care that establishes and maintains the health, safety and welfare of the built environment.” The IICRC is a self-regulating, independent organization that promotes the highest level of technical proficiency, standards, and ethics in all restoration activities, including water damage services.
Values of the IICRC
The core values of the IICRC include:
Respect
Responsibility
Integrity
Excellence
Expertise
All of the IICRC certified water damage restoration companies are expected to uphold these five central values for the benefit, support, and safety of consumers.
San Diego Flood Restoration is IICRC certified, and works constantly to uphold the principles and standards of the organization.
Benefits for the Consumer
Easy Brand Recognition with the Cleantrust Logo
All water damage companies certified by the IICRC are allowed to proudly display the Cleantrust logo, which allows consumers to easily identify high-quality restoration businesses.
In order to achieve this certification, water damage companies must meet a rigorous set of standards, ensuring only the most exemplary service. This set of standards includes:
Conducting business in a highly ethical manner, especially with respect to presenting accurate information to the consumer
Regulating a consistent education program for technicians, providing the most modern and up-to-date information to keep up with any advancements in the industry
Maintaining a written complaint policy with professional arbitration to resolve any disputes that may arise
Requiring all technicians to be formally trained and educated, passing all required tests for their respective positions.
Possessing liability insurance to protect both business and consumer in case of an accident during the project.
An IICRC Certified Water Damage Company Follows “The Book”
The IICRC is accredited by the American National Standards Institute, or ANSI, which is a standards and and conformity assessment organization that seeks to “empower its members and constituents to strengthen the U.S. marketplace position in the global economy while helping to assure the safety and health of consumers and the protection of the environment.”
Because of this accreditation, the IICRC establishes industry standards and provides all water damage businesses with the proper industry regulation, including written reference guides and handbooks that outline these standards. This includes the S500, the procedural standard for water damage and restoration companies.
The IICRC is dedicated to updating this information and maintaining the most current industry knowledge and research. This means that the IICRC has specified experts that conduct research and perform analyses to stay at the cutting edge of the water damage field.
Water Damage Services and Maintaining a Healthy Environment
The IICRC maintains both a strict focus on the external natural environment and the interior health of the home as well. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, the average person spends 90% of their time indoors, where pollutant levels may be two to five times as prevalent as outdoor levels.
An IICRC certified water damage company will have the most scrupulous health and safety practices when performing water damage projects. These accredited businesses will also look to extend the health of your flooring, upholstery, and home long after the water cleanup project is completed. In addition to vacuuming, cleaning, and checking for water damage regularly, hiring an IICRC certified company is the most effective method to maintain the health and longevity of the people who work and live in the building.