Water Damage & Flooded Basement Restoration Services

The Purpose of the Clean Trust

By the RestorationSOS Educational Staff

Water damage can affect your home on a number of levels, not just through the damage to your property, but also the maze of so-called water damage professionals that are chomping at the bit to work on it for you. But buyer beware - not everyone is cut out for this line of work, much less qualified to do it. Hiring the wrong company may actually conspire to leave you in an even more precarious position.

When you make that call, you don’t know who is on the other end. You may get a professional, experienced and certified provider, ready to do the work and guarantee the results, or you may get a an inexperienced, unlicensed person who takes your information and then subcontracts to the lowest bidder. Is this who you want to entrust your home and possessions to? Even worse than that, there are scam artists abound in this business, sharks who will take your money and run, leaving you with no work done or subpar work at best. Then you get to start all over again and pay even more money to get someone to do the job right.

Fortunately, there is a silver lining on the water damage horizon. The water restoration industry has done a remarkable job of policing itself. Seeing the need for some accountability among providers and peace of mind for homeowners, the Clean Trust was born.

History of The Clean Trust

Formed in 1972, the Clean Trust was initially the Institute for Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC). Yes, it was a mouthful, but it was also the only regulator when it came to establishing standards, practices, protocol and etiquette for those in the business. With more than 150 instructors across the country, the IICRC was able to provide excellent training and education in a wide variety of areas of both water and fire restoration. Over time, the IICRC became the leading authority on the subject. At last there was somebody to hold service providers accountable for their work (or lack thereof) and for the next 40 years, the IICRC would be the standard bearer for the industry.

The Clean Trust Now

In 2011, the IICRC became the Clean Trust. They carry the same mission, same values, but with a name designed to better reflect the organizations goals and mission. An ad campaign announcing the change was rolled out in late 2011.

Right now, the Clean Trust represents more the 5,700 service providers and 55,000 individual technicians in the United States and around the world. As they move forward, their goal is to continue to provide training and certification within the industry, while keeping up with changes and innovations in both equipment and procedures.

Of course, no certification can ever guarantee competent work; however, choosing a company with the Clean Trust seal lets homeowners know that the company they are considering has made a major commitment of time, resources, and finances to make sure that their technicians receive the best possible training.

Recommended Reading
Choosing Contractors for Water Damage Restoration
How to Find Good Water Restoration Contractors