What Is the IICRC?
In the restoration industry, one organization sets the standard for how work should be done: the IICRC, the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification. It is a nonprofit body that certifies technicians and firms and develops the standards and guidelines professional restoration companies are expected to follow.
What the IICRC Standards Cover
IICRC standards are consensus documents developed with input from across the industry. A few examples:
- ANSI/IICRC S500: water damage restoration, including the water categories
- ANSI/IICRC S520: mold remediation
These are not casual tips. They are detailed, research-based protocols designed to protect people and property. They are industry standards, not government laws, but a responsible restoration company treats them as requirements, not suggestions.
Why Following Standards Matters
Every decision on a job affects the safety of everyone involved and the long-term health of the property:
- How water is extracted
- How materials are cleaned or removed
- How the structure is dried
- How contamination is contained
When guidelines are cut short or ignored, the risk of secondary damage, incomplete remediation, and health hazards goes up. Following the standards correctly is what separates a thorough, responsible restoration from one that only looks finished on the surface.
Looking finished vs. being finished
Damage that has been hidden is not the same as damage that has been resolved. A wall can look dry while moisture remains inside it. A room can look clean while contamination remains. Standards exist so the work is measured and verified, not judged by appearance.
Not Every Company Treats Standards the Same Way
Not every restoration company approaches the standards the same way. Some treat them as optional or flexible. At New Life Restoration, we do not.
The IICRC guidelines guide every move we make on a project. From the moment we arrive on site until the final walkthrough, our processes are built around meeting those requirements, with no shortcuts. We believe that is the only way to truly protect the people who live or work in the property and to deliver work we can stand behind.
Our IICRC Certifications
New Life Restoration is an IICRC certified firm. Our team holds IICRC certifications including:
- WRT (Water Damage Restoration Technician)
- ASD (Applied Structural Drying)
- AMRT (Applied Microbial Remediation Technician)
- FSRT (Fire and Smoke Restoration Technician)
- OCT (Odor Control Technician)
- TCST (Trauma and Crime Scene Technician)
What This Means for You
When you hire a restoration company, you are not just hiring someone to clean up damage. You are trusting them with the safety and integrity of your home or building. Choosing a company committed to following industry standards without compromise makes a real difference.
Good questions to ask any restoration company:
- Is your firm IICRC certified?
- Which certifications does your team hold for this type of job?
- How will you document and verify the work?
Serving Surprise and the Phoenix Metro
We are a family-owned company based in Surprise, Arizona, providing water mitigation and drying, mold, fire and smoke, odor, and biohazard and trauma cleanup across Peoria, Glendale, Phoenix, El Mirage, Scottsdale and nearby Valley cities. We focus on mitigation and cleanup and do not perform reconstruction.