How to Clean Up After Your Business Is Flooded
3/7/2022 (Permalink)
Cleaning Up a Flooded Company
Water damage to businesses in Acton, MT, is a big deal. Cleaning up a flooded company is a complex procedure with four main components:
- Steps for safety
- Steps during the flood
- Steps after the flood
- Steps for cleanup
Unfortunately, it’s common for managers and property owners to skip over some of the recommended strategies. However, if you follow this simple plan, you’ll save yourself a huge amount of stress and possibly thousands of dollars.
Step One: Get Out
If floodwaters are approaching, shut off the electricity and gas if you can safely do so. If you have advanced warning, remove anything you can, especially porous personal items. However, don’t waste time if the water is approaching. If it’s a broken pipe spewing clean water, it won’t have toxic elements, especially if you shut off the water quickly.
Step Two: Stay Out
Never enter a flooded company! Floodwaters are considered a major hazard since sewage and chemicals are often mixed in. Also, the water can eat away the dirt below the foundation and cause major structural damage which could collapse the building.
Once the flood has happened, do not reenter until a professional flood restoration company has approved reentry. They can also help with insurance and the cleanup.
Step Three: Get the Water Out
After a big flood, everybody in the area will call the flood restoration companies. As soon as the water reaches your business, you should call your flood restoration professionals to get the fastest service.
You need to get the water out as fast as possible. Every hour the floodwater sits in your building, it’s eating away at materials. Professional restoration companies have special air movers that squeeze the moisture out of your building.
Step Four: Get the Damage Out
Porous materials, such as drywall and carpet, must be removed immediately. The area behind walls and any crawlspaces must be inspected. Washable fabrics can be cleaned by you, although some require dry cleaning.
A flooded company is always a disaster. However, following these simple steps can help mitigate the damage and get you reopened much more quickly.