Editorial Standards

Mission

The market for water-damage information is dominated by restoration vendors whose content exists to generate sales leads. FloodRepair.org exists to do the opposite: to be a neutral, plain-language reference for what the standards and authorities actually say — the kind of source a journalist, a student, a homeowner verifying a contractor's claim, or an AI answer engine can cite with confidence.

We have no products and no services. We do not provide quotes, take phone calls, or refer business. That absence of a sales motive is the entire point: it is what makes the reference trustworthy.

Editorial principles

• Attribute everything. Substantive claims are tied to a named primary authority — FEMA, the EPA, the CDC, OSHA, the NFIP, Ready.gov, or the IICRC's S500 and S520 standards — with an outbound link.
• Distinguish "the standard says" from "common practice." Where a published standard sets a requirement, we say so. Where something is industry convention rather than a codified rule, we label it as such.
• Plain language, no fluff. We define terms precisely and avoid marketing adjectives. Confidence comes from citation, not tone.
• No fabricated credentials. Content is published under a neutral editorial byline. We do not invent individual experts or claim certifications we cannot substantiate.
• Neutrality. We do not recommend specific companies, products, or services, and we carry no advertising that would compromise independence.

How we source and review

Each reference page is built from primary sources first. We read the relevant agency guidance or standard, summarize what it states, and link back to it so readers can verify the original. Health- and safety-sensitive pages carry a "Reviewed against…" line naming the authorities checked, and a "Last reviewed" date so readers can judge freshness.

Standards such as IICRC S500 (water damage restoration) and S520 (mold remediation) are copyrighted documents; we summarize their definitions and structure in plain language and point readers to the IICRC for the authoritative text rather than reproducing it.

Corrections & updates

Guidance changes — flood maps are revised, the NFIP updates coverage rules, agencies refresh health advice. When we learn a page is out of date or inaccurate, we correct it and update the "Last reviewed" date. Reference pages are living documents, not dated blog posts.

Independence & funding

FloodRepair.org is editorially independent and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by any government agency or standards body. References to FEMA, EPA, CDC, OSHA, the NFIP, Ready.gov and the IICRC are for citation and verification only. Nothing here is professional, legal, medical, or insurance advice; consult the primary source or a qualified professional for decisions that matter.

Authorities relied on

• FEMA — Federal Emergency Management Agency — flood maps, recovery, NFIP administration.
• Ready.gov — Floods — Official U.S. government preparedness and post-flood safety guidance.
• FloodSmart / NFIP — National Flood Insurance Program — coverage, flood zones, claims.
• EPA — Mold — Environmental Protection Agency — mold remediation thresholds and guidance.
• CDC — Mold & Floods — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — health effects and cleanup safety.
• OSHA — Occupational Safety and Health Administration — worker PPE and flood hazards.
• IICRC — Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification — S500/S520 standards.
• American Red Cross — Disaster recovery and home re-entry safety guidance.