Are you the owner of a business that has recently been damaged by a flood? Or do you have a commercial property that was affected by a fire and suffered from water damage because of it? Whether you’re dealing with flood, fire, or another issue like this altogether, you may find yourself in need of disaster cleanup sooner rather than later. And if this is the case for you, then you may feel like you’re at a loss when trying to figure out how to handle the restoration and repair of your property when it’s been damaged by water. Below, we’ll walk you through how to handle some of the most common problems related to water removal in commercial properties.
Problem #1: Contaminated Water
If there has recently been a flood in your area, or if your property was damaged by flooding related to burst water pipes or some other similar type of damage, then there’s a good chance the surfaces throughout the building have been exposed to contaminated water. Flood waters are commonly contaminated with bacteria, pollutants, and other substances that can make people sick very easily just by coming into contact with them. For this reason, one of the biggest issues related to water restoration is cleanup of any contamination that may be present in the property.
These types of contaminants can settle into any carpeting, walls, and other surfaces throughout the building. If you have merchandise in your property, it may also become contaminated by dirty water. And if you own a business that sells food, any food in storage will need to be inspected and may very likely need to be disposed of in order to prevent the contamination from making any customers ill.
When you’re dealing with the cleanup of a commercial property, you need to be sure the surfaces as well as any merchandise or other items are clean and free of contaminants before you can reopen. This may take some time, but it’s crucial, especially when your property may have customers or clients waiting to re-enter it after your restoration services are complete.
The problem of contaminated water can be solved by contacting a company that will work to remove all contamination and pollutants from your property before re-entry.
Problem #2: Mold and Mildew
Mold removal is a major part of dealing with water damage in any property. Very quickly after water damage occurs, the property may begin developing mold, mildew, or both. Unfortunately, mold can be extremely dangerous, so it’s important to refrain from going back into the building until you are told it’s safe to do so by a professional. This may mean waiting until the mold has been thoroughly destroyed and removed entirely—and this could take some time, depending on the extent of the damage as well as how long the water has been left to sit in the property before cleanup.
Remember that, just because a surface feels like it’s dry, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s safe to be around. This is also not an indicator that the surface is free of mold, and you will need a professional to inspect the property in order to determine whether or not mold is present. This goes double for any merchandise that may be present in your business.
Your restoration service company will use a variety of different tools and techniques to dry the water in your home and then to remove the mold, making sure it cannot grow back. The company will also work to restore and repair any items and surfaces that have been damaged by either the water or the mold.
Keep in mind, however, that depending on the type of business you own, your insurance may require different steps in the restoration process. Namely, this means that you may not be able to restore merchandise or food that has been damaged or exposed to mold. However, your commercial property insurance company will be able to answer any specific questions you have regarding this. Your restoration service company will work with your insurance to handle the repair process as smoothly as possible, too.
Problem #3: Increased Fire and Shock Risk
Last but not least, the third most common problem related to water damage and repair in your property is the increased risk of fire and electrical shock. When a serious flood occurs, the water level inside the property may rise high enough to reach electrical outlets, computers, and other electronics and devices you may have plugged in throughout the building. If this happens, there is a very real possibility of sparking and fire occurring, and there’s also a chance you could get badly shocked when handling anything electrical inside the property, too. It’s important to ensure the electricity is turned off to your building as soon as possible after a flood, but it’s also crucial to have a professional team of restoration experts examine the electrical system throughout the property before turning it back on again.
Your restoration team will also work to repair any damage to electronics and other devices as efficiently as possible. They will understand that you need these items back in place as soon as they can be safely used again, especially when it comes to running a business. They will also ensure these devices can be operated without causing any increased risk of fire or electrical shock when plugging them back in for the first time following water damage.
Your water extraction technicians will be able to solve the problem of the increased risk of fire and electrical shock as safely as possible.
If you are in need of help with water removal for your commercial property in and around Aurora, Illinois, call Restoration Techs today. We are available for estimates as well as 24/7 emergency services to help you deal with damage related to smoke, fire, water, mold, and more. Reach out to us at 800.600.3594 for more information.