Industry principles for complete and permanent deodorization will also include four steps:

1. The removal of the source of the odor as is practical.
2. The cleaning all surfaces subjected to significant contamination.
3. The recreation of the conditions of odor penetration with an appropriate odor counteractant.
4. The sealing of any malodorous surfaces as required.

Thermal fogging, while effective, is not a panacea for resolving all odor problems in your structure. It’s merely a Band-Aid for a complex problem and proper procedures that should begin at the very outset of the specific loss and continue throughout the entire process.

Restoration has developing into a science that is practiced by trained professionals, with necessary procedures arrived at through a cooperative effort by all parties to the claim: foremost the insured, the insurance company’s representative (agent, adjuster), and an experienced contractor. There is no room for necessary restoration procedures being decided upon based on the whim of the adjuster, and for the contractor to blame the insurance company for “not authorizing” reasonable and prudent restoration procedures is inexcusable. Likewise, the insurance company declining coverage for reasonable and prudent restoration is equally inexcusable.
It is highly suggested that all parties rely on the IICRC Water Damage Restoration Standard, combined with information contained in the ASCR Fire Restoration Best Practices Guide.

But the bottom line is that the insured controls their own claims within the confines of their contract (the insurance policy) with their particular insurance company.