5 things to do when dealing with water damage in your business
7/20/2022 (Permalink)
Blog summary: SERVPRO of Corpus Christi East outlines five tips to help combat water damage in a commercial space.
Water damage can result in costly issues for your business, from structural damage to spoiled equipment and loss of essential documents. According to The Hartford, 15% of all small business property damage and liability insurance claims involve water and freezing damage.
Although business property insurance provides financial security for a range of water damage claims, it would be better if you tried to prevent this issue in the first place.
The professionals at SERVPRO of Corpus Christi East, a commercial damage restoration company in Flour Buff Corpus Christi, TX, have outlined these five tips to repair water damage in a business.
1. Remove the standing water
You must remove the stagnant water from your business as the first step in repairing water damage. The longer water lingers, the more harm it will cause. You can use submersible pumps (if you can find one) to remove the water. Professionals recommend that standing water be removed from property within 48 hours to prevent the development of harmful organisms and mold.
2. Dry out everywhere
After you remove the standing water, it's time to dry up the affected areas. It’s essential to get rid of any moisture during the restoration process to prevent mold development. To dry the area, you can use towels, dehumidifiers, mops, air conditioning, and desiccants. Dehumidifiers eliminate humidity; desiccants help in absorbing extra moisture.
3. Remove and discard any porous materials that have been damaged
Carpets, unsealed cement, wood, and other items have pores. If any of these items has water damage, the only way to prevent additional damage is to discard the items or simply cut off the area that was soaked.
When porous materials are drenched in water, the result can be a fungal infestation like mildew, which spreads more quickly than mold and can result in more significant damage. If you have sentimental value and aren't ready to discard them, lay out any damaged furniture or rugs in the sun to completely dry them. But remember that the product won't be as it was before.
4. Check for mold and mildew
Another thing to do is to look for mold and mildew growth. You must be prompt when checking because mold and mildew can start to grow within 24 hours in the right conditions. If you notice any mold, you should take extra precautions because it can be very harmful to people.
If you have severe mold issues, you should try to stop airflow in the affected area and seek professional assistance.
5. Change damaged parts
Even if you immediately dry everything out and remove the water, certain parts of your property, like baseboards, drywall, and siding, can still be damaged.
You must take additional caution when replacing and removing damaged materials. Your property could suffer even more harm if structural elements are improperly removed.
Hire a water damage restoration specialist
Water damage can lead to intolerable conditions in a place of business, so you need to act quickly to restore your office or facility. When you hire a professional commercial water damage restoration company, the water will be quickly removed, the area dried and disinfected, and any repairs can then be made. These companies have a team of experienced and licensed water damage technicians who can take on any water incident effectively.
Work with commercial water damage professionals in South Side Corpus Christi, TX
While it may seem straightforward to handle commercial water damage on your own, there might be underlying worries and potential problems down the road. SERVPRO of Corpus Christi East helps customers by offering round-the-clock assistance.
They recognize the need for prompt service if you experience commercial water damage and have a team available 24/7 to handle and restore your business to its previous state.
When you hire SERVPRO of Corpus Christi East, you can rest assured that any water damage issues will be promptly dealt with to ensure your business is not affected.
Contact them at (361) 985-6444 for a free quote.