Anyone who has spent time in remediation knows that mold projects can look very different from one property to the next.
Sometimes you walk into a home and the issue is limited to a small area where moisture lingered a little too long. Other times the contamination has moved into insulation, framing, crawlspaces, or attic structures. The scope of work changes quickly depending on how far things have progressed.
That is where Severity Indexing™ becomes helpful. It gives contractors, inspectors, and property owners a way to think about mold situations in terms of scale, preparation and response, instead of treating every job the same.
Most mold professionals are familiar with the IICRC S520 remediation standard, which classifies mold contamination into three environmental conditions.
These conditions are extremely helpful for generalizing a space, but they do not describe how severe the problem is (which can vary throughout a building), nor the procedures to remediate the problem.
That is where the Mold Severity Indexing™ (MSI) adds clarity.
The MSI framework builds on the IICRC conditions and breaks Condition 3 into several levels of severity. This allows contractors and inspectors to better match cleaning methods, remediation scope, and treatment chemistry to the actual situation. For example, MSI levels may include situations such as elevated spores without visible growth, light surface mold, moderate surface colonization, embedded mold growth within materials, or severe contamination with structural damage.
By expanding the condition categories into five clear severity levels, contractors can more easily determine the appropriate remediation approach and communicate that scope to property owners, real estate agents, adjusters, inspectors, managers, and technicians. Instead of simply labeling something as “Condition 3,” the MSI provides a clearer picture of how extensive the contamination is and how aggressive the remediation procedure should be.
This added clarity improves project planning, helps ensure proper cleaning methods are used, and makes it easier to document why certain remediation steps are necessary.
When remediation teams walk into a property, the first step is understanding what level of contamination they’re dealing with (aka The Severity). The goal is always the same:
What changes from project to project are the selection and aggressiveness of the remediation method.
This is where having a structured remediation system becomes extremely helpful.
Preparation chemistry like OxyPrep can eliminate organic mold staining while penetrating the soil load and substrate for the essential step of soil load removal. Neutralization chemistry such as OxyPar may be selected for its mechanical agitation due to the exothermic reaction produced. Dutrion may be selected for its abilities in solubilizing biofilm, destroy hyphal fragments, and its ability to disintegrate the exoskeleton of spores. In certain situations, such as in remediating structures where sensitized populations are present, Botanical provides an alternative approach for microbial cleaning.
After remediation is completed, protective coatings such as MaxGuard or SafeGuard can help protect against future elevated moisture content in structural materials while protecting the coating surface from mold and microbial regrowth. Similarly, Touchpoint supports microbial control in indoor environments and on frequently touched surfaces such as upholstery, table tops, and fixtures.
Each step plays a role in supporting the remediation process as contamination levels increase. When used together, these tools allow contractors to match the treatment approach to the actual severity of the contamination.
OxyPrep™ removes mold stains quickly without the need for scrubbing, sanding, or media blasting, reducing mess and the risk of cross-contamination. It can be used most efficiently as Step 1 of the REACT|EXTRACT™ process.
OxyPar Liquid Ready-to-Use™ is a powerful, ready-to-use hydrogen peroxide cleaner designed to penetrate, lift, and suspend soil loads while brightening a surface. While it can be used alone, it’s most efficient as Step 2 of the REACT|EXTRACT™ process.
Convenient and sized perfectly for the way you work, simply drop Dutrion™ into water and it will automatically mix and provide the sanitization solution you need. Dutrion is a fungicide, mildewcide, sporicide, algaecide, slimicide, odorcide, bactericide, and virucide making it one of the most complete antimicrobials available!
Botanical™ is a minimum-risk, ready-to-use cleaner, deodorizer, and antimicrobial* that meets EPA requirements under 40 CFR 152.25 and is manufactured with 100% food grade materials.
MaxGuard™ is a mold, moisture resistant, and breathable protective coating and “encapsulant” built with over 72% solids for moisture prone areas and exteriors. It’s most common uses are in unconditioned spaces such as:
SafeGuard™ is a breathable, mold and moisture resistant coating for the protection of structural materials both during new construction or after remediation in existing structures. It’s most common uses are for the protection of:
TouchPoint™ is a revolutionary, clear microbial resistant surface protectant that forms a durable, breathable barrier on interior finished surfaces. It’s designed to help keep surfaces cleaner and drier for up to 12 months! TouchPoint™ works at the molecular level to block moisture and resist microbial growth on the treated surface. It’s most common uses are for the protection of:
If you are part of Enviroguard Certified Firms, be sure to take advantage of the educational materials available to support your work.
Our Mold Bifold offers a quick overview of remediation chemistry and application guidance, while the Inspection Guide helps contractors and inspectors evaluate contamination levels and determine appropriate remediation strategies.
Both tools are designed to help Certified Firms communicate more clearly with clients and document remediation projects with confidence.
Severity Index™ Remediation Bifolds
A client education guide designed to explain the remediation process clearly, set expectations, and build trust. Includes both printed and digital versions and is fully customizable with your branding.
Severity Index™ Inspection Guides
Professional inspection guides designed to simplify mold, fire, and water assessments. Featuring Severity Index™ Guidelines, these tools help you document conditions accurately, educate clients, and build trust during every inspection.
The Mold Severity Index is designed to help remediation professionals connect inspection, cleaning, and treatment methods into one clear system.
If you’d like to see how the full framework works in the field, including the chemistry and remediation approach used at each severity level, you can explore the full guide here:
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