The S500 and S520 Standards in Plain English
The two industry standards every water and mold pro should know, from someone who’s served as a mold expert in attorney cases.
What they are
- IICRC S500 is the industry standard for professional water damage restoration: how to inspect, categorize water, dry structures and document the work.
- IICRC S520 is the industry standard for professional mold remediation: containment, removal, cleaning and verifying the work.
Both are published by the IICRC and updated over time. You can buy the full documents from the IICRC.
Why they matter to your business
- Adjusters use them to judge whether your work and your estimate were reasonable.
- Attorneys and experts use them when a job ends up in a dispute. Following the standard, and documenting that you did, is your best protection.
- Property managers and commercial clients often expect contractors to follow them.
The big ideas in plain words
- Know what water you’re dealing with. Clean, gray or black water changes what can be saved and how you protect people.
- Dry to a measurable goal. Use readings to prove materials are dry, not just how they feel.
- Fix the moisture source first. Especially for mold: removing mold without stopping the water means it comes back.
- Contain and protect. Keep contamination from spreading, and protect workers and occupants.
- Document everything. Photos, readings, logs and the decisions you made.
Standards plus a system
The standards tell you how to do the work right. They don’t tell you how to land jobs or get paid. The 6-Figure Launchpad covers that business side, built from 5,000+ water jobs. Start with the free From Leak to Paycheck playbook, or see which IICRC certifications to get first.
This is a plain-language overview, not a substitute for the official IICRC standards. Your state’s laws and licensing rules also apply.
