Have you noticed a leak in the roof of your commercial building? Or has a burst pipe or storm caused your business to flood? Commercial water damage is a serious disaster and something no property owner wants to deal with.
Not only can repairs be expensive, but dealing with a water-damaged building can also lead to significant downtime as you replace flooring, insulation, and personal property. Whether your building’s been affected by a heavy rainstorm or an internal leak, one thing’s for certain: You need to take action as soon as possible.
We’ll guide you through the steps for recovery so your business can minimize downtime and restore operations as soon as possible.
1. Stop Any Further Damage
If the water damage is coming from an internal source, such as a broken appliance or a burst pipe, turn off the water supply as soon as possible. This can help prevent damage from spreading to unaffected areas. Plus, insurance companies typically see it as your responsibility to stop any preventable damage.
If the damage is coming from an external source, such as a hole in your roof, you may not have much choice but to wait for someone to come patch up the problem. In the meantime, do your best to contain the water entering your building to minimize the damage.
Always put safety first. Before staff members reenter a building or room that’s sustained serious water damage, evaluate its structural integrity. Sagging ceilings or damaged walls are a sign that it’s unsafe to enter; wait for the professionals instead.
2. Turn Off Utilities
Turn off the electricity and gas to the area that has sustained damage. This could involve flipping a breaker switch or contacting your local utility companies. Turning off your utilities can save these systems from sustaining costly damage or triggering a fire.
As mentioned before, it’s important to put safety first. Only turn off utilities if it is safe to do so. Don’t risk electrocution.
3. Call in the Restoration Professionals
As soon as you can, contact a restoration company that specializes in water damage. Reputable companies know that flooding and storm damage is a devastating emergency. That’s why many have a 24-hour flood and storm emergency line, allowing you to get the help you need as soon as possible.
These professionals can also help advise you on steps to take before they arrive.
4. Contact Your Insurance Company
As soon as possible, contact your insurance company to let them know about the damage. This can help speed up the claims process and avoid delays. Many insurance companies state that you must report damage within 48 hours or risk your claim being denied.
Avoid frustration by familiarizing yourself with your policy’s terms. This can help you understand what damages are covered. For instance, floods and storms often fall under a different policy than burst pipes.
5. Let the Professionals Do Their Job
Don’t try to fix water damage by yourself, especially if the damage is significant. Certified professionals will know exactly what to do in a safe manner.
Professionals will help you throughout the whole process, including:
Water Extraction
One of the first things restoration professionals will do is remove any standing water on your property. Long-term exposure to water can make structural damage worse and further increase repair costs.
Restoration professionals will work quickly, taking steps to contain the damage and protect unaffected areas of your building. Then, they will use pumps, vacuums, and dehumidifiers to dry out your space quickly and effectively.
Removing Damaged Items
Letting items sit in water can lead to mold and further damage. Remove items from the water-damaged building, clean them, and leave them in a dry space. Your restoration team will help you take photos and compile a list of damaged items throughout this process for insurance purposes.
Dehumidifying
Water-soaked surfaces are breeding grounds for mold, especially here in the Pacific Northwest. Mold poses a serious health risk, and removing it through professional remediation is not a simple process.
That’s why dehumidifying your commercial building after water damage is an essential step. Your recovery team will set up fans, dryers, and dehumidifiers to bring your building’s humidity levels back to an appropriate level.
This process can take weeks, especially if your building is badly affected, but it’s better to be patient with the process than to rush it and end up with costly, hazardous mold damage.
6. Document the Damage Thoroughly
Understanding the full extent of the damage to your property, inventory, equipment, and other belongings is an important step in the recovery process. It may seem like an overwhelming task, but luckily, it’s something the restoration professionals will be able to help you with.
Assess and document all damages by taking photos and compiling a written list of everything affected. Accurate and thorough documentation is the best way to get your insurance claims approved.
7. Restore Your Building
Once the commercial water damage has been dealt with, it’s time to start restoring your building so you can reopen for business again.
Severe floods or major leaks can cause dangerous structural damage or mold growth. It’s important to address them as soon as possible to avoid putting yourself, your customers, and your employees at risk.
Have a professional assess the full extent of damage to your walls, ceilings, floors, electrical systems, and foundation. They can then recommend appropriate measures to take to restore your building so it’s just like new.
It is to your benefit to choose a restoration company that is equipped to do the rebuilding work in-house, as Biodynamic is. They can do the work, bring in contractors where necessary, and get the job done quickly. Working with one company for all restoration and rebuilding services helps ensure the project is done efficiently so you can minimize downtime.
Experiencing a Commercial Water Damage Emergency? Give Biodynamic a Call
Whether you’re dealing with stormwater, gray water, or a burst pipe, water always wins, damaging everything in its path. Feeling overwhelmed or confused about what to do first?
Call Biodynamic. We know that emergencies don’t stick to anyone’s schedule, which is why our Fire, Flood, and Storm Emergency Number is available 24 hours a day.
With years of experience restoring water-damaged properties in the Portland and Seattle areas, our team is an expert at helping you recover from emergency situations. We’ll help you extract the water from your building, document damages, and restore and recover your commercial property. With our help, you can get your business up and running again as soon as possible.
