When property has been damaged due to water, the process of restoring it back to its previous condition is known as water damage restoration. There are a number of water damage restoration companies advertising their services, but finding a quality water restoration service may take a little bit of research on the customer’s part. There is no government body that regulates the procedures for water damage restoration services. However, there are two independent, and trust, certification groups in the United States that specifically train and certify water restoration companies and water restoration technicians. They are the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) and the Restoration Industry Association (RIA). Both of these independent groups require an intensive training and coursework schedule for their potential candidates, and have an exhaustive certification exam. A water damage restoration company that is an IICRC certified firm is required to abide by a strict code of ethics, and to follow proven water damage restoration procedures in their work. They must assess each property as a unique situation, and employ the most appropriate technology and methods to maximize the level of restoration success. They are also required to provide ongoing training and additional certification opportunities to their water restoration technicians. A company that has the approval of the IICRC is a reflection on their level of quality. As with any business, before you hire a water damage restoration company, you should make sure that you are asking the right questions to protect yourself and your investment. The basic steps you should be taking to ensure quality services are: Get recommendations from friends, family, or coworkers, as well as your insurance company. Check the company’s references; ask for referrals to previous customers. Check with the better business bureau to see how many complaints they have, and compare it to the volume of work that they do. Make sure they are certified by a reputable certifying agency. A good company will follow a code of ethics and standard industry procedures. Â
