Storms can have a devastating impact on your commercial property. Floods, high winds, and other natural disasters can severely hamper business, and it is important to have a plan in place before any serious problems occur. Proper planning can help you to get your business back in operation quickly following storm damage. While experiencing significant damage to your property can feel overwhelming, reviewing these tips can help you build a recovery plan so you can proceed with confidence.
Tip 1: Clear out remaining water
Your priority should be your safety, so it’s important to note that you shouldn’t proceed until you know it is safe to enter the building. If local officials have determined the danger has passed, don’t enter until you’ve ensured that all power sources are shut off. Keep the power off until a contractor or utility company deems it safe to resume electric service. Once you can re-enter the building, start by clearing water to minimize the extent of the damage. Excess humidity and standing water can have several negative impacts on the health of your building. Move standing water with push brooms, squeegees, and mops. Push the water out exit doors and into floor drains.
Tip 2: Air out the space as much as possible
Containing and controlling the situation is your best bet for a faster bounce-back after storm damage. Your next priority is to air out rooms that have suffered water damage. You can help this process by pulling items away from walls and creating space between bulky items or appliances. This helps to prevent mold from growing in dark corners and allows air to move more fully through the space. If conditions have improved outdoors, open any windows to help circulate the air. Once it is safe to use appliances, dehumidifiers can help move the process along faster. Consider using fans to help dry air reach all corners of the room.
Tip 3: Gather your tools
The sooner you can start cleaning, the lower your risk for continued damage. You should have some basic tools and equipment with you before you begin. If there is still standing water, you’ll want to make sure you have a good pair of rain boots or waterproof work boots. If you are worried about contamination from river water or debris, you may want to invest in a full-body suit for added protection. Then, gather plastic wrap, trash bags, and hand tools such as a screwdriver, hammer, flashlight, duct tape, and caution tape. You may have to remove appliances or artwork from the walls. You can also use the plastic and tape to block off hazardous areas or tag spots where you notice considerable damage.
Tip 4: Ensure you can clean thoroughly
Start by removing any appliances, electronics, furniture, and other important items to a different space to be dried or tossed out. You may be tempted to see if your appliances and machinery still work, but electrical items that have experienced water damage can be extremely dangerous. Keep your safety in mind and wait for approval before plugging in any electrical items. If your commercial property has carpeting, pull the carpets as soon as possible. This allows the flooring to dry more thoroughly and helps prevent mold. You can start to assess the extent of the damage as you clean, noting any specific problem areas that should be addressed first.
Tip 5: Don’t skip disinfecting and deep cleaning
Once the area is dry and free from debris or clutter, deep cleaning and disinfecting can begin. Proper disinfecting is crucial to ensure the safety of yourself, your employees, and your customers or tenants. When a severe storm occurs, the water that floods your space could be from a natural source or from wastewater, both of which may carry a wide range of harmful contaminants. Proper disinfection can prevent disease and health issues from affecting the building’s occupants in the future. As a result, this is often a task best left to professionals. A professional commercial restoration contractor will know what products to use, the best methods to follow, and the steps needed to prevent mold and other contaminants from creating further issues.
Let Us Help
Storm damage to your commercial property can be devastating and overwhelming. However, you should never feel like you need to tackle the remediation project yourself. If you need commercial storm damage cleanup in Little Rock, Arkansas, Contractors Inc can help. We provide many different storm damage services designed to help get your commercial property back up and running as soon as possible. We provide advance disaster planning so you can turn to us at a moment’s notice for an established set of procedures after a storm has damaged your property. We also provide 24/7 emergency response services. When an unexpected disaster occurs, don’t hesitate to contact Contractors Inc.
