Disaster planning is a key component of any disaster readiness plan. Being prepared for emergencies, the unexpected, and the unanticipated is important. Commercial water damage can disrupt your business’s daily operations and impact it financially after the event. Preparing for emergency water damage can help minimize the impact of this natural disaster on your business’s functions, cash flow, and productivity.
1. Create a Flood Monitoring System
Water damage can occur on your premises without warning or during ordinary business hours. It is important to plan a system that will help you monitor the water level of your premises and minimize the impact of flooding on your business. Consider installing flood sensors, water sensors, or motion-detecting alarms around the area that may be affected by potential floodings, such as near water sources like a sump pump or toilet.
2. Get Enough Coverage for Your Property
The amount of water damage to your business can vary depending on where the flood is, how bad it is, what type of building you have, and the size of your business. To recover from water damage claims, your building and inventory must be adequately covered by the right insurance coverage. Liability limits should always be sufficient to cover third-party claims against you. Ensure that your policy limits equal or exceed your business’s replacement value.
3. Invest in Facility Maintenance
You should always maintain and monitor the facilities in your business premises. Consider working with a service provider that can do preventative maintenance regarding water damage, such as routine plumbing inspections. It is also recommended to maintain sprinkler systems regularly, as they play a vital role in keeping your business safe from water damage. As a precaution against potential flood damage, you should also install backup sump pumps and a secondary water supply for your office. If the problem is something you need the help of a professional for, contact Inner City Plumbing.
4. Conduct a Water Damage Inspection Regularly
Proper commercial water damage clean up involves an inspection of the affected area. You should conduct these inspections regularly to anticipate any potential flood damage and keep a check on the sump pump, sinks, toilets, and water fountains in your business premises. Frequent floodwater inspections may help you identify water-damaged items and prepare a comprehensive inventory of all damaged items. With a high probability of occurrence, it’s understandable why water damage preparation is important. Below are some of the causes of water damage in commercial buildings.
5. Damaged Windows & Doors
Unproperly sealed windows or doors are the number one cause of commercial water damage. The first thing you have to do is make sure that all your windows and doors are properly sealed. You can purchase sealant or ventilation tapes to ensure your windows and doors can be closed properly.
6. Flooded Basements
Flooding a basement can happen from natural disasters like hurricanes, floods, strong storms, and even heavy thunderstorms. Gutters and downspouts must be cleaned and cleared regularly to avoid flooding. To protect pieces of furniture and other valuable items stored in basements from future water damage, restoration professionals encourage property owners to hire the services of Basement Waterproofing experts.
7. Cracked Pipes & Leaks
If your building uses natural gas, propane, oil, or any other fuel type in pipelines, ensure they are checked regularly to avoid ruptures and leaks. This is one of the leading causes of water damage in commercial buildings each year. Damaged piping can lead to leaks and damage most systems in the building.
8. HVAC Problems
A malfunctioning HVAC can also cause water damage in commercial buildings. Ensure that an expert inspects it regularly to ensure it always works properly. Professionals must do faulty plumbing fixture repairs or new installations of plumbing fixtures. The pipes may also burst sometimes and cause damage to other parts of your building, like walls and floors. Damaged or improperly installed plumbing fixtures can lead to leaks, floods, and building damage.
9. Sewer Clogs
Sewer clogs can prevent sewer water from flowing smoothly and cause a backup, leading to costly damages. Professional cleaning of the plumbing lines must be done regularly to avoid this problem. Creating a water damage preparedness plan If you still need help with how to prepare your building for water damage from any of the causes mentioned above, here are steps that you can take to make your commercial building safer.
Commercial Water Damage Restoration
Seeking professional water damage restoration services is best if you are dealing with a flooding problem in your business premises. The sooner you get the help of a commercial water damage restoration service provider, the better. An experienced service provider can minimize the impact of water damage on your business and restore it to its pre-flood condition as soon as possible. Regular inspection and cleaning of the water-damaged areas in your business premises are critical for fast and efficient water damage restoration.
