Water is a necessity for maintaining life on Earth. Unfortunately, it can also be unpredictable and destructive, especially in large quantities. If you experience flood damage in your commercial property, it is important to begin the restoration process as quickly as possible. Being prepared for restoration can help you minimize the damage and get back to business without extensive downtime.
Tips for handling flood damage
Your commercial property is an investment, and flooding can seriously impact your ability to use your property and continue offering services to the community. Odds are, your business will need to be closed momentarily, and employees may continue to miss work while the restoration process takes place. A quick response from the right commercial restoration company can help ensure that your commercial property will be back up and running in no time.
Dealing with flood damage can feel overwhelming. However, following a few key tips and having a plan in place can make the process quicker and less stressful.
1. Consider safety first
Safety is the most important factor to consider when starting your commercial flood damage restoration. You and your employees are not qualified to mitigate the extensive damage substantial amounts of water can cause. Do not try to remediate flood damage on your own.
Instead, keep a list of local Houston resources on hand, including police, fire, contractors, utility providers, insurance, and restoration companies. Having these contacts readily accessible can help ensure the process moves quickly. While you’ll have to first assess the damage to report to the listed entities, do not do anything you are uncomfortable with. Your life is more important than your property.
2. Know your hazards
In keeping with your first responsibility to maintain a safe working environment for your employees, you should be familiar with water shut offs, especially if the source of the flood is an on-site water system. Then, identify critical electrical sources, including electrical boxes, circuit boxes, and meters. Electricity can pose an extreme danger in flooding situations. Cutting electricity can help prevent any injuries from taking place while you evacuate your property.
Shutting off the electricity is especially important if you notice any water spilling from outlets or light fixtures. Turning off your water and electricity can help to minimize loss and help you protect your assets while lowering the risk of moving through the flooded area. If you are not sure if you’ve properly shut off these sources, exit the building and contact a professional.
3. Know your contamination risks
You should be mindful of any environmental hazards in your commercial building, including asbestos and lead. In addition, identify potential hazards that may be caused by the source of the water damage. Water damage can be caused by a natural disaster, a pipe burst that carried clean drinking water, or damage that caused sewer water to flood your building. These different water sources present different health risks.
4. Gather essential tools and start relocating the essentials
Once you have minimized your risks by shutting off electric and water sources and contacted the proper authorities, you can start your role in the restoration process by gathering and relocating valuables. You’ll want to have basic tools with you, including trash bags, caution tape, duct tape, a flashlight, and hand tools like screwdrivers and hammers. You may also want to have a good pair of boots and even a protective suit if you are unsure of the source and possible contamination of any water still present.
If it is safe to proceed, remove what you can, including electronics, artwork, files, and company documents. From there, you can start to contain and isolate the damaged areas to help protect your staff. When emergency personnel or restoration contractors arrive on-site, ask for further instructions.
5. Begin working with others
Flood restoration services for a commercial property can be a huge undertaking. For example, commercial properties require more complex repairs than most residential properties. You’ll want to begin working with your contractors as soon as they arrive to ensure that the restoration process takes place smoothly.
As the damage estimate is taking place, consider your resources for water damage, plumbing, electrical work, mold inspection, HVAC, and building repairs. Your building must be completely safe and operational before you allow employees or tenants to return. Your contractor will work with you to determine what steps are necessary to restore your property to full function while ensuring the safety of everyone inside.
Finding a quality restoration contractor in Houston, TX
The flood restoration process can feel overwhelming. However, starting the restoration process on the right foot requires a quick response and knowing the right people to call. Unfortunately, you’ll likely need to complete many projects before your commercial property is operable once again.
Instead of balancing the work of numerous contractors during this stressful time, consider working with a company that can provide all the repair, replacement, and restoration services you need to get your commercial property back up and running quickly. Contractors Inc can provide everything you need to recover after flood damage. Contact us today to learn more.
