How To Deal With Smoke Damages From Adjacent Businesses

12/31/2021 (Permalink)

Fire and smoke damage to a building in Virginia Highlands, GA.

How To Respond to Damages From Smoke

Begin by talking with your insurance agent to determine how damages will be covered. Smoke damage is commonly covered by most policies, and you can improve the strength of your claim:

Thoroughly document damages by noting the date of the fire, the types of damages and losses, any injuries, and descriptions of the damages. Add photographic evidence of the damages.
Understand that many of the items in your building may need to be thrown out and replaced even if they don't appear smoky.
Pay professionals to clean and restore your property. After you've thoroughly documented the damages, turn the rest of the work over to professionals. There are often hidden dangers and hazards associated with soot and ash. Smoke damage cleaning and reconstruction technicians have specialized equipment and gear to protect themselves and your belongings.
Consider talking to a public adjuster if the damage is severe. Insurance companies are often determined to pay the lowest about possible, but you may be eligible for a higher amount of reimbursement.

There are many factors that determine the extent of damage to your building when an adjacent property suffers from fire damage. Without the experience and knowledge that comes from dealing with many fire-damaged properties, it is possible to overlook problem areas or cause further harm when trying to handle smoke cleaning on your own.

Your First Response to Smoke and Flames
As soon as you notice a fire in a neighboring building, take steps to keep your employees and customers safe. Next, contact emergency authorities. When it is safe for you to return to your building, contact your insurance company and Virginia Highlands,GA, smoke damage cleanup and restoration professionals.