The five principles of water damage restoration

In plain English

The S500 organizes every water job around five principles, and all of them depend on getting there fast. First, protect the health and safety of workers and occupants: protective equipment for the crew, and a reasonable effort to tell occupants about the hazards and keep them clear.

Second, document and inspect. On arrival the restorer measures temperature and humidity inside and out and the moisture in affected and unaffected materials; records where the water came from and when, what was already damaged, and any visible growth; maps how far the water spread; and sets drying goals early, ideally agreed with the owner and insurer. Readings are then taken daily, at about the same time, and equipment stays until the goals are verified and documented.

Third, mitigate further damage: stop the spread of moisture and contamination, contain contamination close to its source, and remediate contamination before drying. Fixing the source of the water is normally the owner's job, not the restorer's, unless agreed otherwise. Fourth, clean and dry, using evaporation, dehumidification or ventilation, and temperature control. Fifth, re-check the scope and have qualified, licensed people complete the repairs.

Key points

• 1 Safety and health of workers and occupants.
• 2 Document and inspect: readings in and out, moisture map, drying goals, daily monitoring.
• 3 Mitigate: contain at the source; remediate before drying.
• 4 Clean and dry: evaporation, dehumidification, temperature.
• 5 Complete repairs with qualified, licensed people.

Official text

This topic is covered in our own words because the standard behind it is copyrighted; we cite it below rather than reproduce it.

Citations

• IICRC S500, ANSI/IICRC S500 Standard for Professional Water Damage Restoration — Sec. 1, Principles of Water Damage Restoration, pp. 22–23. Best practice

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