A disaster can strike anytime and can affect anyone. It is one of the many things in life that you cannot control. What’s within your control is how well you can prepare for it.

Knowing how you can best mitigate and recover from a disaster is an integral part of this preparation, and to be able to do this, there are some questions you need to ask yourself and a trusted professional.

What steps can I take to reduce risks from a disaster?

Government regulations, like zoning laws and building codes, are there for your protection. They are designed to reduce risk to both life and property in the face of unforeseen events.

Not considering the fact that they are compulsory, comply with these laws simply for your own sake. Do not take shortcuts to save time or money, or you may end up compromising your own family and home or business.

You can also modify some home or commercial structures to mitigate risks like installing storm shutters or impact windows. This will help minimize the water damage restoration service Sandy Springs homes and businesses would need in the event of tornadoes in the area.

How do I know if a company is qualified to do restoration services?

Most reputable disaster recovery companies require that their employees have proper training, enough experience, and certifications. One way to ensure that they are a qualified water and fire damage restoration company Sandy Springs homes and businesses can trust is by asking if they are IICRC-certified.

The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification or IICRC is a global organization formed in 1972 to establish standards for the cleaning and restoration service industry, thereby ensuring a high quality of service.

How do I know which restoration company is right for me?

A company’s reputation is another thing you have to consider to know which company is right for you. This is something no certification can give a company. Rather than merely taking the damage restoration contractor’s word for it, always ask for references and be sure that you call those past customers to find out about their experiences.

You should also ask a disaster recovery contractor whether or not they have technicians with experience in dealing with your particular type of catastrophe, and if so, how much. If your home has structural damage from a tornado, you will want to be sure they have handled these types of cases before.

If your home or business has suffered fire damage, the cleanup crew will need experience handling smoke and odor, soot damage, water extraction, and water damage, as well as mold and mildew – all of which occur during the rescue efforts. Carpet cleaning and upholstery cleaning are essential, as well.

Do the services provided by the restoration company have a warranty?

It is also essential to find out if the company offers a written guarantee on their work. Find out what, exactly, it covers, and how long the warranty is good for. Some issues may not become noticeable right away (such as mold and mildew), and you want to be sure that you are covered for at least the first three months.

How can I contact the restoration company?

Most, if not all, restoration companies can be reached by phone or through a website. But among all of them, ServiceMaster of Cobb stands out for offering the most extensive and reliable residential and commercial cleaning service Sandy Springs homes and businesses could find. You can contact ServiceMaster of Cobb at 678-264-3310 or visit their website at https://www.smrestoreus.com/.