Water Damage Restoration Experts Warn: Avoid Storm-Chasing Contractors

How to Avoid Storm-Chasing Contractor Fraud: A Water Damage Restoration Warning for Atlanta Homeowners

Duluth, United States – May 1, 2026 / Peachtree Mitigation /

DULUTH, Ga. — Peachtree Mitigation, a locally owned and operated water damage restoration company serving the greater Atlanta metro and North Georgia communities, is putting homeowners on notice: unlicensed storm-chasing contractors are active across Gwinnett County and surrounding areas, and the company’s certified professionals are fielding calls from homeowners trying to fix what those crews left behind.

“The IICRC standard requires moisture readings at the start of the job, throughout drying, and at sign-off. That documentation is how you know the work was actually done. Most of the calls we get after a storm chaser has been on a property, there’s no paperwork. Nothing was measured. You just have to take their word for it,” said Joe Preston, owner of Peachtree Mitigation in Duluth, Georgia.

Storm-chasing contractors, typically out-of-state or transient crews that follow natural disaster events, frequently operate without verifiable licensing and are not trained or equipped to perform sound structural drying. Their work can appear complete while active moisture remains in the structure. Common failures include inadequate water extraction, no moisture monitoring during drying, and no documentation for the insurance claim. Homeowners are left with voided coverage disputes, secondary remediation costs, and repair bills that exceed the original damage.

The industry benchmark for professional water damage restoration is certification through the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification, known as IICRC. IICRC-certified technicians are trained in psychrometrics, the science of air properties and structural drying, and work to documented remediation standards. Peachtree Mitigation’s technicians hold active IICRC certification and EPA certification, and every job is documented to those standards.

Peachtree Mitigation uses thermal imaging technology to find moisture hidden inside walls, ceilings, and subfloor assemblies. The cameras detect temperature differentials that indicate active moisture intrusion, the kind that stays invisible until it becomes a mold problem or a structural one.

Peachtree Mitigation offers 24/7 emergency water damage restoration response, full insurance claim documentation support, and 13 years of certified service to residential and commercial properties across North Georgia.

Before hiring any contractor after a storm, homeowners should take four specific steps: ask for the contractor’s IICRC certification number and verify it at iicrc.org; request written moisture readings before and after drying; confirm the contractor carries active liability insurance and workers’ compensation; and do not sign any document that transfers your insurance claim to the contractor.

About Peachtree Mitigation

Peachtree Mitigation is a locally owned and operated disaster restoration company headquartered in Duluth, Georgia, proudly serving the greater Atlanta metro and North Georgia communities with fast, dependable emergency response. Specializing in water damage, fire and smoke damage, and mold remediation, the company offers 24/7 availability to help homeowners and business owners restore residential and commercial properties quickly, safely, and to pre-loss condition. A dedicated team of certified restoration professionals guides clients through every stage of the recovery process, from emergency water extraction and structural drying to complete damage mitigation and documentation support for insurance claims. Peachtree Mitigation is built on a commitment to transparent communication, certified industry practices, and genuine care for the communities it serves. The company’s mission is to be the most trusted name in disaster recovery across Georgia, delivering reliable, compassionate results when clients need it most. For emergency service, call 404-480-9525 or visit peachtreemitigation.com.