What should you do if you find commercial water damage? Even if the flooding looks minimal to you, all water damage should be treated as an emergency. Don’t panic, but don’t delay in calling for professional water damage restoration at your commercial location.
Follow Basic Flood Response
Step one in taking care of water damage is to call for commercial flood cleanup services to help you restore your property to its pre-flood condition. While you’re waiting for them to arrive, get rid of any materials that have been soaked beyond repair.
If the flooding was caused by a burst pipe, turn off the water supply to prevent the damage from getting any worse.
Assess the Damage
To help with your insurance claim, go around your property and thoroughly document all damaged areas. Take photos and videos of everything the water has touched, and take inventory of all items that need repair or replacement.
Once you’ve documented the extent of the flood damage, call your insurance company and take the necessary steps to file a claim.
Have Your HVAC Unit Inspected
Professional water restorers will often incorporate your property’s HVAC unit into the cleanup process by attaching air scrubbers to pull moisture out of the air. However, they’re not HVAC technicians.
HVAC systems are highly susceptible to long-term damage from flooding. Even if you don’t notice any problems in the days following the flood, call a specialist to inspect your HVAC system for any hidden damage.
Prevent Future Damage
Once the water restoration experts have fully restored your commercial property to its pre-flood state, take any steps you can to prevent serious damage in the future.
Learn where the water shutoff valves are in your building so you can locate them quickly if pipes burst in the future. Have your property inspected regularly for potential leaks or hidden damage.
In addition, invest in a waterproof safe or filing cabinet to keep your most important documents secure in the event of future floods. Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.
If you find water damage on your commercial property, work quickly to salvage as much as possible with the help of a professional water damage restoration company. 1-800-Dry-Me-Out has helped countless businesses in the Tampa area save their buildings from long-term water damage.
